Business travel managers are expecting data security and mobile technology to have the highest impact on travel programmes in 2015.
A Carlson Wagonlit Travel survey of travel managers also highlights the sharing economy and Generation-y travel behaviour as trends to watch for the coming 12 months.
The study, which includes responses from more than 1,100 business travel managers, also reveals that those with global programmes believe big data, global economic factors and NDC will have a high impact on programmes in 2015.
Regional managers, in contrast, highlight issues specific to their areas as having most impact such low-cost carriers in Asia Pacific, corporate social responsibility in the EMEA region and the global economy, political stability and the sharing economy in Latin America.
Travel manager in North America meanwhile say mobile technology will have a major impact on travel programmes going forward.
CWT is enabling travel managers to compare their expectations for the coming year with those of their peers through a new website launched by the travel management company.
Separately, figures released by the Business Travel Show reveal travellers are being given the freedom to book trips independently. The show organiser says 62% of travel buyers will have given travellers such freedom in 2014 compared to 36% in 2013 and 9% in 2012.
That does not mean out of policy however as just over half of respondents say they insist bookings are within policy guidelines while 11% say they don't put the policy restrictions in place. What might be more telling is whether that 11% figure has changed.
The BTS figures also reveal 75% buyers claim travellers book outside of policy on occasion, on a par with last year's figure and, buyers also say almost 10% of travellers regularly break out of policy.
The main drivers for rogue spend are ‘personal preference’ for almost a third, price 21% and the desire to go direct 14%.
NB: Business travel image via Shutterstock.