Between June 28th and July 7th, 10,437 Asia Pacific-based business travellers were surveyed online about their travel habits in the first half of 2011, and their planned business travel for the remainder of the year.

This report shows the survey data at a total market level and with a key focus on business travellers currently residing in the following countries: Australia, China, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Singapore, New Zealand and Thailand.

This report shows the key data findings from three key areas of interest: 

• Business travel in the first 6 months of 2011, and planned for the last 6 months
• Planning the business trip
• Usage of hotel facilities

Business Travel In The First 6 Months Of 2011, And Planned For The Last 6 Months

Across the region, business travellers took an average of 6.3 business trips in the first 6 months of 2011. Male business travellers (7.0 trips) were on the road more frequently than females (4.5 trips) and differences were also observed by job title/grade, with Directors and C-Level (i.e. CEO, COO, CFO etc.) travelling most frequently (8.0 and 7.3 trips respectively).

The average number of trips also differed by country of residence, with Chinese (8.7), Indian (7.3) and Singaporean (7.1) respondents taking the highest number of trips on average, and Thais (5.0), Australians (5.2) and New Zealanders (5.2) taking the fewest number. The average number of trips for Chinese respondents was boosted by a significant segment of ‘road warriors' – 15% took 20+ business trips in the first 6 months of the year.

The majority of business travel was international, though domestic travel was also included in the survey. The larger the geographical size of the country, the higher the incidence of ‘domestic only' business travel: Australia (34%), New Zealand (26%) and China (25%) topping this list.

The purpose of the business trips was a mix of external company business (e.g. sales calls), internal company business (e.g. visiting regional offices), attending industry meetings/trade shows, training, and attending conferences. Sales meetings were more likely to be attended by C-Level respondents, Owner/Partners and Directors.

Singapore and Hong Kong (both 38%) were the destinations most frequently travelled to for business and appeared in the "Top 3" destinations for travellers from all the key markets in our survey. The other country in the Top 3 tended to be the closest geographical neighbor (e.g. Australia for New Zealand business travellers and vice versa).

Looking to the remainder of the year, the average number of trips planned was similar to the average number taken, with male and more senior job titles again expecting to travel most frequently.

Planning Business Trips

The majority of business travellers in our sample prefer to book their business travel accommodation directly online with the hotel brand (57%), followed by the secretary in the company (40%), while usage of offline travel agents is in the minority (16%). Having the client book the hotel is least likely to happen in Australia (6%) and New Zealand (6%), compared with the total market (14%).

Convenience is the key driver for booking directly online (67%), closely followed by the expectation/possibility of special offers (63%) and the peace of mind of instant confirmation (62%) of the room booking.

Business travellers also expect that the hotel branded website will offer the most competitive rates (49%), slightly ahead of independent online travel websites (43%). This is especially true for business travellers from India (62%) and Indonesia (56%).

The main reason for choosing the actual hotel stayed at was the convenience of its location (56%), the number one driver across all of the key markets in the survey. Previous experience with the actual hotel or the brand behind it (as well as competitive pricing) also factored strongly.

The survey also found that business travellers in the region are ‘environmentally aware' when choosing a hotel: 61% would choose a hotel simply because it is more environmentally conscious, and 59% would pay extra to stay in a hotel with a superior environmental commitment to a similar standard hotel in the same location. For those willing to pay more, the average they would be prepared to increase was 10% (across all markets).

Business travellers from China were most likely to be described as driven by environmental concerns, with 91% willing to pay extra, followed by travellers from Indonesia and Thailand (77% and 70% respectively). Respondents from Australia (38%) and New Zealand (37%) were least likely, though in both of these markets, female business travellers were more environmentally driven then the men.

Allocated budget for business travel hotel accommodation averages at US$121 per night, with some variances across the region. Business travellers from New Zealand (39%) and Australia (36%) are most likely to have ‘no defined budget' for their accommodation, compared to the total base (26%) and their average spend on hotel accommodation is also higher than average (US$131 and US$158 respectively). The lowest budgets for business travel accommodationare in Indonesia (US$92) and China (US$99).

However, across the region, hotel accommodation budget can be increased in special circumstances, such as travelling with someone more senior (22%), travelling with clients (23%) or travelling long-haul (28%). The incidence of an increase in budget for travelling with seniors and/or clients is highest for business travellers from China (38% and 30% respectively).

Usage of Hotel Facilities

For those travelling for business in the first 6 months of 2011, business travel could be described as ‘mainly work and some play': 75% working in the hotel at some point during their trip. This increased to 82% for respondents travelling from China and Singapore.

Travellers from Hong Kong are most likely to ‘burn the midnight oil' with 14% working between midnight and 6AM, compared to 7% on average. The most likely times for business travellers to work in the hotel are after office hours: 35% working between 6PM and 9PM and 52% working between 9PM and Midnight. Respondents from Australia (53%) and New Zealand (55%) were most likely to work between 9PM and Midnight, and were also most likely to be early risers (35% and 38% respectively working between 6AM and 9AM).

Taking a break from work is more likely to involve a visit to the hotel fitness centre (53%) than the hotel Spa (36%). Indian business travellers are the ‘power users' of the fitness centre (64%). While in the fitness centre, business travellers are swapping one treadmill for another, with 93% using cardiovascular equipment rather than weights (39%). Australian business travellers are most likely to use weights, at 48%.

When availing of the Spa facilities in the hotel, business travellers from Singapore (83%), Hong Kong (74%), China (71%), India (70%) and Thailand (70%) are more likely to avail of body and foot massage services, while travellers from New Zealand (74%) and Australia (69%) are more likely to use the sauna/steam room.

Full Story:

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