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There is light at the end of the tunnel and
positive signals are changing the mood in the travel industry.
This was revealed by the latest survey of members of the
Association of German Travel management (VDR), who in
collaboration with ITB Berlin, asked its members to predict what
the impact of the world economic and financial crisis would be on
business travel during the current business year.
Their findings: more than half of the
companies that were polled, consisting of suppliers as well as
German companies with their own travel management departments, are
confident that there will be an upturn before this year is over.
Furthermore almost a quarter of those questioned expect to see a
recovery in business travel activity at the start of next year.
Only 10% of companies expressed their concern that there would not
be a recovery in business travel.
“The trend that has been revealed by the latest
snap poll by the VDR is giving the industry reasons for cautious
optimism. This is good news for ITB Berlin,” said Dr. Martin
Buck, Director of the Competence Centre Travel & Logistics at Messe Berlin, referring to the findings of this survey. “Stringent
travel guidelines, which have met with complete acceptance within
the companies, and are being consistently applied, not only offer
tangible benefits for travel management but also ensure high
levels of reliability and professionalism in the dealings between
companies’ customers and service providers.”
The economic
situation continues to have a significant impact on the business
travel activities of German companies. However, following a sharp
downturn a year ago there seems to have been something of a
recovery. Nevertheless the situation is having a noticeable effect
on cost-saving, and almost 60% of VDR member companies are
still paying particular attention to costs and are seeking cheaper
travel options.
However, the survey did reveal that cost-cutting
is not being applied as rigorously as it was during the initial
phase of the economic and financial crisis at the beginning of
last year. Only 11% of these companies are cutting out
all travel which is not absolutely necessary, compared with twice
as many in October 2009, according to the latest survey by the
VDR.
Companies are making more use of web, video and
telephone conferencing as a means of reducing their travel costs.
One third of the VDR member companies that were questioned now
apply such technology as a substitute for business travel. A
further 20% are following this trend for other reasons,
such as improving internal communication.
“The shift in the
direction of virtual conferences is one of many topical issues
being dealt with during the Business Travel Days, which are taking
place during ITB Berlin,” Dr. Buck said. “This convention will
provide decision-makers in travel management with a valuable
stimulus for addressing strategies when the crisis is over.
Experts will be explaining, for example, the extent to which the
use of telecommunications can replace face-to-face discussions.”
The snap poll was conducted among the 512 members of the VDR
at the beginning of February. A total of 126 companies took part.
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