The Experts’ View: Top 5 Business Travel Trends for 2018

Like every year, in this issue we bring you a compilation of top trends that will rule business travel in 2018. On one hand, corporate attitudes will soften towards ‘bleisure’ (or business + leisure) to help employees unwind during business trips.

On the other, more companies will turn to the power of new technology and tools to drive cost efficiency and travel policy compliance. Read on to make the most of the top trends in business travel to drive the success of your travel program in 2018.

1. New Tools to Drive Savings, Efficiency & Compliance 
Business travel often involves unplanned flights, last minute hotel booking which can be hard to pull together at short notice. Hence, this year corporates will take to new travel tools to drive savings, efficiencies and compliance. Adopting a system like the UNIGLOBE complete online allows companies to control costs through automated trip authorizations, reporting and policy compliance. This gives business managers access to greater transparency and better reporting on potential budget “problem” areas, which when addressed can help save more money.

2. Arrive For Work, Stay To Play 
According to UNIGLOBE experts as the competition for talent heats up, employers will look to travel programs as meaningful benefits for employees who want to take advantage of business destinations and have a productive trip. The line between traveling for work and leisure will blur further as companies seek programs that offer a more flexible work-life balance to attract prospective employees and keep current employee morale high. Deploying the expertise of a travel management company like UNIGLOBE, could save your companies money on both business and leisure travel, and, at the same time, help your travellers relax and have fun on their trip.

3. Focus on Cybersecurity
In 2018, we’ll be hearing a lot more about “cybersecurity”. Fraudsters are moving on from traditional transactional fraud towards the rich target of traveler profile and booking data, causing a renewed focus on industry solutions for privacy and security. Profile data can give criminals access to passport and credit card numbers, home addresses and contact details, and even family and personal preferences. “At UNIGLOBE, we conform to the highest standards of security to safeguard your data. Your UNIGLOBE profile data is stored in an encrypted file to ensure no individual can access your personal information stored in the file, thus preventing the possibility of identity theft or any other form of information misuse. Also, all payments you make through our web resources are routed via a secured payment gateway to prevent sensitive information like your credit card details from exposure to fraudulent use,” says a UNIGLOBE expert.

4. Rise of Technology for Enhanced Traveller Experience 
Technology isn’t new to the travel industry. From airline apps that replace paper boarding cards to self-check in at airports, technology has been revolutionising travel by maximising efficiencies, improving experience and increasing choice and options for the business travellers worldwide and increasingly in the Indian market. A prime example of this is Wi-Fi onboard aircraft. With the Indian telecom regulator allowing flyers in India access to both internet and mobile services on board aircraft, the experience is only set to get better this year.

5. Incentivization To Save Companies Money
Incentives are nothing new, but typically points programs to reward employees for spending less when travelling on company dime. In 2018, UNIGLOBE experts predict companies to increasingly turn to this model to reward people for choosing the most cost-effective options. “Companies can typically save 20% on their travel and entertainment expenses, even after the cost of incentives, when they provide employees with redeemable rewards points for spending less,” concludes a UNIGLOBE expert.