The way business travelers book influences their security

A study conducted by the GBTA Foundation among business travelers from Germany, France and the United Kingdom shows that their safety can be conditioned by their booking decisions. The report also points to some business deficiencies in duty of care and visibility.

The study “How Traveller Booking Behaviour Impacts Safety”, conducted in partnership with Concur, finds that risk management services for business travelers are still far from comprehensive and universal.

"One of the most surprising findings of the report is that more than half of business travelers are aware that their security may be compromised if they do not book through their company's channels;s channels and, despite this, most still book outside the company”, according to Scott Torrey, chief revenue officer at Concur.

Business travelers in UK, Germany and France agree that companies are concerned about their security. In fact, the GBTA Foundation reveals that, in the event of an emergency or security breach, an overwhelming majority of business travelers expect their company to contact them proactively, and at least two-thirds expect their company to do so within 2 hours.

However, two-thirds of business travelers acknowledge that failure to book through company channels;can affect their safety, because it makes it more difficult for your company or travel management company to locate and contact them in the event of an emergency.

The unique thing is that nearly 7 out of 10 travelers booked outside of company channels at least once last year, even when they had an agency or access to an online self-booking tool.

This indicates that organizations could do more to protect their employees through risk management services and technologies and better educate about existing services and policies to support employees traveling on business. 

MOST CONCLUSIONS

The report uncovered further trends in risk management for business travelers in the UK, Germany and France.

• Direct bookings.Last year, nearly half of business travelers used an online business booking tool. However, nearly 70% of business travelers whose companies used a TMC said they booked at least one business trip directly with a supplier in the past year. Less than 40% indicated that their organization had an adequate system for recording travel plans and itineraries booked directly with suppliers.

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• Ltraveler targeting.Travelers expect their companies to use a range of information to locate them quickly during an emergency or security breach event. Such information includes travel itineraries (53%), GPS information from company-provided smartphone apps (44%) and expense report information (32%). 

• Traveler services. Less than half of German business travelers (49%) indicated that their organization offered a hotline for emergency assistance. On the other hand, more business travelers in the UK and France have access to it (57% and 65%, respectively). 

• Training and resources. More than half of business travelers said their organizations offered travel security training, but there is a consensus that more is needed. Some 61 percent of travelers expressed interest in group and individual training courses, and most (65 percent) would prefer to receive multiple trainings each year.