Workers call for IT-enabled travel

Business travellers are calling for more technological advancements to save time and make travel easier, according to research carried out by financial services provider Barclaycard Business.

The need to remain connected whilst on the move is one of the main drivers behind growing demands for IT innovation. Some 66 per cent of those surveyed would like airlines to provide wireless internet connections to maximise time while travelling, according to the study.

And business travellers are also making more use of the web for their travel arrangements, with 34 per cent of the respondents checking in via their mobile phones or the internet.

“As business travel continues to rise, so too does the need for technological advancements designed to save travellers’ time and money,” said Barclaycard Business’ director of commercial cards Denise Leleux.

“Travel technology is constantly evolving, enabling them to do the things they want regardless of location,” said Leleux.

“The future growth of business travel is inextricably linked to the advancement of technology to book travel, in-flight technology or payment technology.”

But 82 per cent of over 3,000 business travellers polled by Barclaycard preferred to meet in person rather than using conferencing technology. By comparison, only 36 per cent said that technology has reduced the need to travel.

And 88 per cent of men reckon that IT is less effective than face to face meetings, as opposed to 75 per cent of women, according to the study.