6 July 2010 | Andy Allen
Demand has risen in the business travel industry, giving
suppliers such as airlines the balance of power when it comes to pricing.
“Airfare rates are holding steady and business travellers
are trickling back to the front of the plane,” said the latest data from
American Express Business Travel.
Historically the proportion of business and economy
travellers has been divided equally, but during the heart of the recession last
year the percentage of tickets booked in business class fell to 36 per cent. It
has now climbed back to 41 per cent, the company said.
Meanwhile, travel management firm Carlson Wagonlit Travel
(CWT)
said companies could save up to a quarter of their spending on meetings and
events by better management.
According to CWT the savings could be achieved through
"best practice" in policy and compliance, sourcing, and processes.
The company found many businesses needed to source
professionally and with selected suppliers and to optimise processes with
dedicated technology.
Christophe Renard, CWT's vice-president for corporate
marketing and business intelligence, said companies with a high-performing
meeting and events programme tended to involve stakeholders across the
organisation, including procurement.
