Travel remains a priority for business
Contrary to expectations, the majority of companies have not decreased their business travel since 11 September, and believe they still need to travel to win business.
Although passenger numbers have dropped since 11 September – the first increase in passenger numbers was noted by the British Airports Authority last month.
And 73% of business travellers have said they did not stop their work-related trips since the terrorist attacks
The American Express Corporate Travel Barometer, conducted at this year’s Business Travel Exhibition, also revealed 81% of businessmen still believe face-to-face meetings are the best way of gaining business and place a top priority on travel.
Sixty percent of travellers say they have been using low cost carriers for business travel over the last 12 months. BAA’s figures corroborate this as the greatest increase in passenger numbers in February was at Stansted Airport, which has a high percentage of low-cost carriers.
Almost half of the 100 travellers surveyed believe the travel industry will recover in the next three to six months.