A guide to recognising your business travellers
Understanding the unique needs of your travelling employees is a crucial step to forming a successful travel policy.
When it comes to booking travel for your employees, how well do you know their requirements? Do they need flexible stays, gym facilities, prestige suppliers or economical options?
Knowing which category your travellers are in can make your travel policy more effective and keep your employees productive while they’re in transit. Most business travellers fall into one of the following categories.
Seasoned executives
Seasoned executives are discerning travellers who are unlikely to make their own travel arrangements and take advantage of increased comforts on business trips.
Seasoned executives prefer:
- Smooth travel logistics and streamlined bookings
- Priority check-in, boarding and upgrades
- Choice and convenience in prestige hotels
- Loyalty program membership
What to book:
Make allowances for business class flights and prestige hotels that offer sophistication and superior, understated service.
Road warriors
Road warriors include sales representatives and regularly attend trade shows and conferences. Road warriors often travel to the same destinations repeatedly.
Road warriors prefer:
- Time savers such as room service, priority check-in and flexible bookings
- Wi-fi connectivity in hotels
- Complimentary extras and VIP loyalty status
- Entertainment and free access to hotel gyms
What to book:
Road warriors usually have strict budgets due to a high volume of travel. The frequency of their bookings is best suited to suppliers that offer value for money and reward loyal customers
Young jetsetters
Young jetsetters are tech savvy and see business travel as a mark of success. They are keen users of social media and often make plans to meet friends while travelling on business.
Young jetsetters prefer:
- Being productive on the road
- Exploring the cities they’re in and experiencing local culture
- Staying connected while on the road
- Posting reviews on social media
What to book:
Include hotels that offer easy access to technology and local dining and entertainment precincts. Airport lounges are key for encouraging productive layover time.
Freshmen
Freshmen are young graduates or career novices who travel for inductions, training or company conferences. This group engages in medium-term travel, usually around three to four days, to capital cities and other hubs.
Young freshmen prefer:
- Smartphones, tablets and wi-fi connectivity
- Using social media to contact friends while travelling
- Exploring new places and experiencing social activities in their destinations
What to book:
Freshman travellers don’t require top tier accommodation so adjust your travel policy to focus on economical options in airfares and hotels.
About Flight Centre Travel Group
The Flight Centre Travel Group is one of the world’s largest travel retailers and corporate travel managers. The company, which is headquartered in Brisbane, Australia, has company-owned leisure and corporate travel business in dozens of countries, spanning Australia, New Zealand, the Americas, Europe, the United Kingdom, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, and Asia. ASX listed Flight Centre Travel Group (FLT) also operates the global FCM corporate travel management network, which extends to more than 100 countries through company-owned businesses and independent licensees, along with Corporate Traveller, the flagship business specific to the small-to-medium-sized enterprise sector. For more information, visit fctgl.com.
