With the GBTA predicting UK business travel spending to grow this year, and domestic business travel expected to outperform international travel this year, catering for business travellers should be a key focus for the UK travel industry.
Like many industries, the UK business travel sector has changed over the last number of years. Enterprises are embracing new technology such as mobile to cut travel costs. HRG predicts mobile technology will become the ‘new norm’ for business travellers, as enterprises try and centralise all their travel arrangements and information on where employees are. This helps create cost savings as well as being able to locate travellers in case of an emergency. This is particularly important since many international events are held in countries that are susceptible to unrest.
Whereas previously, enterprises would not necessarily consider low cost as a prime purchasing reason; valuing convenience, speed and comfort instead, times have changed. Nowadays the cost of travel - including hotels and restaurants - is taking much more precedence, putting pressure on travel companies to lower costs.
For companies operating in the travel sphere, mobile offers an effective route to lowering costs and improving efficiency as well as capturing and retaining customers. For example, travel companies are embracing mobile ticketing as a way of reducing paper and staff costs as well as speeding up the journey time and cutting queues.
Mobile technology is also being utilised to enhance the customer experience which is extremely important for a service industry. Proactive SMS notifications regarding any delays to travel are improving the customer journey, restaurants can use geo-location technology to send targeted and relevant SMS promotions when customers are nearby, helping travellers decide on where to eat and if your hungry, knowing a trusted restaurant is nearby is half the battle. Hotels are also utilising mobile technology enabling travellers to use their mobile phones to open and lock doors instead of carrying about cumbersome hotel keys. Some even give their guests the option of closing blinds, changing channels and adjusting the thermostat using their mobile phone!
When it comes to travel applications, you can find an app for almost anything. Travel apps giving information on the local weather and providing suggestions on what to do in the evening can be very valuable when travelling for business as time is much more limited.
Being able to navigate your way around a new place can also be daunting for business travellers. Apps for booking and paying taxis, finding the best parking space, updates on travel delays in public transport as well as on the roads if you are driving, all help travellers get to places more quickly and manage schedules.
You can also find apps specifically designed for business travellers which enable you to track and manage expenses and even provide a list of LinkedIn contacts in the area. From a networking point of view, this is extremely beneficial.
Mobile can also be used to help encourage repeat business. Travel companies such as airlines, hotels and travel agents are using mobile based loyalty programs to help encourage customers to return and provide information on discounts available and loyalty points generated.
Mobile technology is changing the way people travel and gives companies opportunities to use mobile to their advantage. Learn more about how mobile technology is helping the travel industry or read our Transport section to find out more.
Like many industries, the UK business travel sector has changed over the last number of years. Enterprises are embracing new technology such as mobile to cut travel costs. HRG predicts mobile technology will become the ‘new norm’ for business travellers, as enterprises try and centralise all their travel arrangements and information on where employees are. This helps create cost savings as well as being able to locate travellers in case of an emergency. This is particularly important since many international events are held in countries that are susceptible to unrest.
Whereas previously, enterprises would not necessarily consider low cost as a prime purchasing reason; valuing convenience, speed and comfort instead, times have changed. Nowadays the cost of travel - including hotels and restaurants - is taking much more precedence, putting pressure on travel companies to lower costs.
For companies operating in the travel sphere, mobile offers an effective route to lowering costs and improving efficiency as well as capturing and retaining customers. For example, travel companies are embracing mobile ticketing as a way of reducing paper and staff costs as well as speeding up the journey time and cutting queues.
Mobile technology is also being utilised to enhance the customer experience which is extremely important for a service industry. Proactive SMS notifications regarding any delays to travel are improving the customer journey, restaurants can use geo-location technology to send targeted and relevant SMS promotions when customers are nearby, helping travellers decide on where to eat and if your hungry, knowing a trusted restaurant is nearby is half the battle. Hotels are also utilising mobile technology enabling travellers to use their mobile phones to open and lock doors instead of carrying about cumbersome hotel keys. Some even give their guests the option of closing blinds, changing channels and adjusting the thermostat using their mobile phone!
When it comes to travel applications, you can find an app for almost anything. Travel apps giving information on the local weather and providing suggestions on what to do in the evening can be very valuable when travelling for business as time is much more limited.
Being able to navigate your way around a new place can also be daunting for business travellers. Apps for booking and paying taxis, finding the best parking space, updates on travel delays in public transport as well as on the roads if you are driving, all help travellers get to places more quickly and manage schedules.
You can also find apps specifically designed for business travellers which enable you to track and manage expenses and even provide a list of LinkedIn contacts in the area. From a networking point of view, this is extremely beneficial.
Mobile can also be used to help encourage repeat business. Travel companies such as airlines, hotels and travel agents are using mobile based loyalty programs to help encourage customers to return and provide information on discounts available and loyalty points generated.
Mobile technology is changing the way people travel and gives companies opportunities to use mobile to their advantage. Learn more about how mobile technology is helping the travel industry or read our Transport section to find out more.
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