Workers stretching business trips. Friday, 22nd July 2005 Source : Deloitte & Touche USA LLP

Business travelers frequently extend their trips by tacking on a bit of vacation, according to a recent travel, hospitality and leisure survey commissioned by Deloitte & Touche USA LLP.  More than half (55 percent) of all business travelers reported taking at least one combined business/pleasure trip last year, and 70 percent brought a family member or friend with them on these trips. Further, 54 percent extended the trip by staying at least one extra night at the same lodging facility.

Survey respondents said they pay more for lodging when they travel for business than when they travel for pleasure. This was true even among those in the upper income groups. At the same time, 23 percent of all business travelers said their company’s travel guidelines have become more restrictive over the past year. Among business-only travelers, 35 percent typically spent $126 or more for a room, compared to only 25 percent of vacationers

“For years, Americans have brought work on their vacations. Now, the lines are blurring even further, and combined business/pleasure trips are emerging as significant travel industry trend,” said Adam Weissenberg, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP, and Travel, Hospitality and Leisure Sector Leader. “After their meetings are finished and business travelers turn into pleasure travelers, they might be more likely to splurge on food and services, particularly if they are staying longer at the facility and traveling with a spouse or friend.”

More Nights Away for Business than Pleasure
Almost three quarters of respondents – 73 percent – took at least one business trip (either business-only or a combined business/vacation trip) in the past year, and most people – 85 percent – took at least one vacation in the past year. However, during the year respondents spent, on average, more nights away from home for business travel (15.0 nights) than for leisure-only trips (9.3 nights).

Internet a Favorite Vehicle for Booking Lodging
The Internet is used heavily by all types of travelers, although vacationers are more likely to use it to research their trip and book flights or lodging.  According to the survey, half (50 percent) of business-only travelers used the Internet to book their lodging; 57 percent of combined business/vacation travelers used it to book rooms; and 58 percent of vacation travelers made their room reservations on the Internet. Among all groups, however, a small percentage said they would likely make fewer online bookings in the coming year, with some of those stating that they do not believe they get the lowest room rate online.

Easy-to-Use Electronics among Most Important Lodging Amenities
Size/comfort of the room, deluxe-comfort bed, easy-to-use electronics in the room and onsite restaurant were ranked the most important lodging amenities by business travelers. In particular, easy-to-use electronics was rated extremely important to 26 percent of all women business travelers, compared to only 16 percent of male business travelers. Transportation to the airport was rated fifth most important followed by a high-speed Internet connection and a user-friendly lodging Web site. In contrast, leisure travelers gave higher ratings to the lodging facility’s personal services, including spas, golf courses and hair/manicure facilities, than did the business travelers.

“Since workers are combining business and leisure travel, the lesson for owners and managers of lodging facilities is that a majority of today’s business-related hotel guests will become tomorrow’s leisure-stay guests,” continued Weissenberg. “The lodging industry may therefore want to consider providing an all-encompassing mix of services and amenities for the business traveler whose spending priorities will shift once the meetings are over.” 

About the Survey
The online survey was commissioned by Deloitte & Touche USA LLP and conducted by an independent research company between June 2 and June 8, 2005.  The survey polled 4,643 consumers between the ages of 21 and 65 who were currently employed.  The survey results have a margin of error of plus or minus five percent.

About Deloitte
Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, a Swiss Verein, its member firms and their respective subsidiaries and affiliates.  As a Swiss Verein (association), neither Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu nor any of its member firms has any liability for each other’s acts or omissions. Each of the member firms is a separate and independent legal entity operating under the names “Deloitte,” “Deloitte & Touche,” “Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu” or other related names. Services are provided by the member firms or their subsidiaries or affiliates and not by the Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Verein.
Deloitte & Touche USA LLP is the US member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.  In the US, services are provided by the subsidiaries of Deloitte & Touche USA LLP (Deloitte & Touche LLP, Deloitte Consulting LLP, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP, Deloitte Tax LLP and their subsidiaries), and not by Deloitte & Touche USA LLP.