Direct Travel, Inc. has released the findings of new research revealing optimism about AI, a surge in “bleisure travel” and the need for greater innovation when booking a trip, especially among Gen Z business travelers. To that point, among the 650 respondents to its “Personalization Takes Priority: How Business Travelers are Reshaping Travel Management Companies” (TMCs) survey, 87 percent would be comfortable having AI make their travel arrangements and bookings automatically, 90 percent have taken bleisure trips and nearly all of them (93 percent) say TMCs must innovate with technology to maintain a role in the business travel ecosystem. The survey was conducted May 15-17.
“Today’s business travelers have made it clear: the status quo is not enough,” said Christal Bemont, CEO, Direct Travel. “Travelers are demanding an overhaul of the way travel is managed, emphasizing the need for personalized, tech-driven solutions that offer delight in all aspects of the travel experience, from reservations to reimbursements.”
Key findings from Direct Travel’s research report include:
- Innovate or stagnate – More than one third (37 percent) of business travelers do not believe the industry is innovative, with almost two thirds (63 percent) seeking a wider array of options for content, signaling a demand for industry-wide innovation.
- Gen Z’s got the business travel blues – 18- to 29-year-olds are the least satisfied with corporate travel, rating their business travel experience the lowest of all other age groups (7 of 10).
- AI optimism – Business travelers are overwhelmingly optimistic about the role AI can play in the business travel experience: 96 percent are at least somewhat interested in a business travel digital assistant that could anticipate needs and make recommendations based on personal preferences and travel routines.
- Bleisure is more than just a trend, it’s ubiquitous – Of the 90 percent of business travelers who have extended a business trip for pleasure, more than half acknowledge doing so “frequently.” Almost all respondents (98 percent) agree that incorporating leisure into business trips positively impacts overall work performance.
“At Direct Travel, we’re not just listening to these travelers—we’re actively responding with new technology, tailored solutions, and exemplary service. Our goal is to set a new standard in corporate travel management, ensuring that every journey is as close to perfect as possible,” added Bemont.
Source: DT.com
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