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IN BRIEF
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The landscape of business travel has undergone deep transformations in recent years, particularly following the pandemic. Travel agencies, once central to the organization of these professional trips, now seem less indispensable. This evolution marks the beginning of a new era where concerns about sustainability and traveler autonomy are redefining the paradigms of the industry. The following article explores the reasons and implications of this crucial change.
A disruption in travel practices
Since the pandemic, one in five business trips has disappeared, signaling a lasting change in professionals’ behaviors. The 14th annual barometer from the EPSA group sheds light on this troubling trend. Companies are reassessing their spending and turning to more agile methods for managing travel. While some accommodations, such as remote work, have become the norm, the necessity of traveling for physical meetings is being questioned.
Business travelers and sustainability issues
The environmental awareness of business travelers is expanding. According to a study conducted by Concur, nearly 24% of travelers say they could refuse a trip due to its environmental impact. This figure highlights a major challenge for the industry, which must adapt to rising expectations for sustainability. Companies are now seeking to implement travel policies that incorporate ethical and ecological criteria to meet this demand.
Spending forecasts for 2023
The financial outlook for business travel in 2023 is recommended by analysts from EPSA, who estimate that expenditures should reach €28.5 billion, representing 95% of pre-pandemic spending. However, this forecast could be affected by the tension between the necessity to travel and the new priorities of businesses. Strategic planning of travels is now emerging as an essential component of corporate resource management.
The challenges facing travel agencies
Despite the traditional role of travel agencies in organizing business trips, several challenges arise for them. More than a quarter of French business travelers (27%) are now willing to reject a trip due to its environmental impact, increasing pressure on agencies to adopt more responsible practices. Agencies must also navigate an increasingly competitive market, where digital tools and online booking platforms are becoming more prominent.
A new dynamic for business travel
In this context, travel agencies are pushed to rethink their offerings and to consider more flexible working methods. By integrating innovative solutions, such as travel management through user-friendly apps, they can win back business travelers. Human interaction continues to play an important role, but it must be coupled with high-performing digital options to adapt to new consumer behaviors.
An industry in transformation
Business travel agencies face unprecedented challenges, but they also have the opportunity to adapt to a changing world. By aligning with emerging values such as sustainability and adopting digital tools, they can redefine their place in the business travel ecosystem. This transformation is not just about surviving, but about thriving in an era where business travelers claim more power over their choices and experiences.
