A new survey conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) has found that sentiment around business travel is shifting, with 77 percent of business travelers and 64 percent of employed Americans agreeing that it is more important than ever to bring back business travel.
Nearly two-thirds of business travelers say the increased reliance on virtual work that has become common during the pandemic is negatively impacting both productivity (64 percent) and workplace culture (65 percent). The survey also found nearly seven in 10 Americans (69 percent) approve of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recent move to relax mask requirements, with many travelers responding by making additional travel plans.
Among Americans who are currently employed, 43 percent said they are more likely to travel for business compared to 2020-21 in response to relaxed public health requirements from the CDC and state and local governments.The survey of 2,210 adults was conducted March 8-9, 2022. Of these, 256 people, or 12 percent of respondents, were business travelers—that is, those who either work in a job that typically includes work-related travel or who expect to travel for business at least once this year.
According to the survey, 80 percent of employed Americans and 86 percent of business travelers believe that face-to-face interactions are important for maximizing company success. When it comes to in-person meetings and business travel, 61 percent of adults and 74 percent of business travelers agreed that they build organizational strength; 59 percent of adults and 77 percent of business travelers said they foster collaboration; and 57 percent of adults and 76 percent of business travelers said that they facilitate productivity in a way virtual interactions cannot.
The majority of respondents (56% of adults and 71% of business travelers) also agreed that COVID-19 has created a greater need for face-to-face connection that virtual-only meetings cannot satisfy. Speaking of the importance of face-to-face interactions, 86 percent of employed Americans and 89 percent of business travelers said they are important for establishing and maintaining relationships with coworkers, while 85 percent of employed Americans and 88 percent of business travelers said they are important for establishing and maintaining relationships with clients.
An overwhelming majority of 82 percent employed Americans and 89 percent business travelers also said that face-to-face interactions are important for professional trainings, while 80 percent of employed Americans and 83 percent of business travelers said they are important for keeping the morale high.
Source: AHLA
Related Stories
American Express Travel Releases '22 Global Travel Trends Report
Stats: Florida, Mexico Are 2022’s Top Spring Break Destinations
Congress Passes Spending Bill; $250M Allocated for Brand USA
Visit Mexico USA Supports NY's Latino Restaurant Association