Business travellers appear to be using mobile applications for pretty much the same as their jetsetting leisure counterparts rather than the vast array of tools their employers would perhaps like.
A study of 1,000 British corporate flyers in July this year found that mapping applications are the most popular services being used by travellers on the road, with 90% always, often or occasionally using such tools.
This is in stark contrast to apps which are designed specifically for travellers, especially the road warriors, with information guides (dedicated airport apps or services such as GateGuru, says provider of the study, Concur) only being used regularly by a third.
Four in ten travellers are using flight tracking services provided by airlines or TripIt (the company owned by Concur), but only a measly 16% will take functions such as expense reporting on the road with them and over three-quarters have never downloaded administrative tools to a mobile device.
It looks like business travellers are not behaving any differently to other travellers, with 60% filling their travel time on mobile devices by playing around on social media (such as Facebook and Twitter) to keep in touch with colleagues, friends and family back at the ranch.
The marketplace is widening, however, as just 11% of business travellers do not have access to a smartphone-type device when they hit the road.
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About Kevin May
Would love to see a link to the study.
@zachary – we have asked Concur for a detailed breakdown of the questions and answers made available to the respondents.
The study is here:
http://info.concur.com/content/Program_UK_Direct_Email_201209_Trouble_With_Travel_UKPart2
Data from Concur:
Total base (survey sample)
1024 respondents
In your opinion, how has technology (i.e. laptops, smartphones, tablets, and apps) changed the business travel experience in the last five years? (Please tick all that apply. If you don’t think it has made any difference in the past five years, please tick the “Not applicable” option)
It has made it quicker
23%
It has slowed it down
2%
It has simplified the experience
35%
It has made it more complicated
14%
It has given me more peace of mind
26%
It has made me more anxious
7%
Other
7%
Don’t know
4%
Not applicable – I don’t think technology has changed the business travel experience in the last five years
13%
In general do you think mobile apps have improved or worsened your business travel experience, or have they made no difference?
Improved
83%
Made no difference
17%
Worsened
1%
In total how many, if any, business travel related apps do you have on any smartphone or tablet devices you use (e.g. Airline apps, map apps, train apps, hotel apps etc.)?
0 – None
28%
1 to 2
27%
3 to 4
20%
5 to 6
8%
7 to 10
3%
More than 10
2%
Not applicable – I don’t use any smartphone or tablet devices
11%
Not including commuting to and from work, how often, if at all, do you use the following mobile apps while travelling for business? (Please read each one carefully and tick one answer on each row. If you do not have this app please tick the “Not applicable” option)
Total base: 624 (Those respondents that replied to having at least 1 business travel related app in the previous question)
Maps (i.e. Google Maps, Bing Maps etc.)
Always
29%
Often
40%
Occasionally
21%
Rarely
6%
Never
2%
Not applicable – I don’t have this app
2%
Social Networking (i.e. Twitter, Facebook etc.)
Always
23%
Often
22%
Occasionally
15%
Rarely
12%
Never
17%
Not applicable – I don’t have this app
12%
Expenses (i.e. Concur etc.
Always
3%
Often
5%
Occasionally
8%
Rarely
8%
Never
35%
Not applicable – I don’t have this app
41%
Airline apps (i.e. BA, United etc.)
Always
9%
Often
15%
Occasionally
16%
Rarely
13%
Never
19%
Not applicable – I don’t have this app
28%
Airport Info (i.e. GateGuru, Heathrow etc.)
Always
4%
Often
11%
Occasionally
17%
Rarely
13%
Never
20%
Not applicable – I don’t have this app
35%
Which ONE, if any, of the following factors causes you the biggest “pain point” (i.e. the factors which cause you the most stress) when it comes to business travel?
The stack of receipts and expense reports that need to be completed upon my return
18%
The inability to book air or rail travel quickly and easily when there is a last minute cancellation/change to my itinerary
11%
Finding a hotel easily especially during peak periods (i.e. around major industry events)
6%
Feeling unsafe and not secure within my surroundings whilst travelling
5%
Company restrictions on travel and accommodation
14%
The feeling of being lost and running around the airport, trying to find my flight
3%
Finding the quickest route from the airport to the hotel
3%
Other SEE OE_2
20%
Not applicable – I don’t have any pain points around business travel
21%
Thinking about when you are travelling for business in general, approximately what percentage of your time do you feel that you’re being unproductive because you don’t have the tools that you need to do your job effectively?
0 – None
20%
Up to 25%
38%
26% to 50%
22%
51% to 75%
11%
76% to 100%
6%
Don’t know
3%
i’m chopping at the bits!! Love this!!