To help businesses navigate travel in 2024, Uber for Business surveyed 250 business travel managers, along with additional respondents from ITM (Institute of Travel Management) in the UK. The results revealed the top business travel trends and challenges to watch in 2024.
Survey results at a glance:
Trend 1: Travel is set to become a top business priority
Most UK business travel managers (89%) say travel is a growing business priority in 2024, anticipating increased budgets driven by return-to-office policies, inflation and ESG requirements.
Trend 2: There is a rise in ESG reporting
ESG reporting is becoming increasingly vital in corporate travel, as organisations seek to align travel practices with broader sustainability goals and government requirements. This shift is clear in the attitudes and practices of UK business travel managers:
- 61% of respondents report that rising climate concerns are leading to significant changes in their travel policies.
- 78% of respondents express satisfaction with the ESG reporting capabilities of their current provider.
| With Uber for Business, travel managers can get an overview on ground travel climate metrics: |
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| Jenna Brown, Head of Uber for Business UK: |
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| “As UK business travel managers prepare for an increase in business travel, it’s important for the industry to focus on sustainability and efficiency. Businesses tell us that they want to reduce their carbon footprint without compromising on the transport options. The launch of our sustainability dashboard can help, providing a simple tool for companies to monitor and report on CO2 emissions from employee trips, helping travel meet reporting requirements while keeping costs low.” |
Trend 3: Navigating an evolving landscape will be key
UK business travel managers are gearing up to tackle a range of financial challenges in 2024, including:
- 53% of respondents indicate that inflation and rising travel costs are expected to contribute to higher travel budgets in 2024.
- 52% foresee that evolving work habits, like hybrid working and return-to-office mandates, will inflate budgets.
- 51% predict ESG requirements for more sustainable travel will push up budgets.
In response, business travel managers are setting clear priorities for the year ahead, emphasising flexibility in travel choices and gathering employee feedback to respond effectively to real-time insights.
| How can Uber for Business help? |
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| Our online dashboard helps organisations around the globe manage business trips and meals for their employees, guests and customers. Lower cost: 73% of surveyed customers agreed that Uber for Business helped lower their ground transportation costs, which in turn helped them keep within their budgets. Customisable programmes: Easily set limits and allowances on ground trips and meals based on the day, time, location and budget. You can also customise for different teams or departments. Standard rates only: The prices for ground trips and meals are the same for business and personal use. Your sustainability goals shouldn’t cost extra. Uber Green—our EV and hybrid ride option—is a widely available solution for no- or low-emission trips, available to your employees with the tap of a button. |
Trend 4: Tech and AI will play a role
There is a clear call among UK business travel managers for new technology and solutions in response to the rapidly changing travel landscape. However, the sheer variety of tools available—each claiming to optimise different travel management aspects—poses a challenge in choosing the most effective solutions.
- 97% of respondents plan to prioritise the adoption of new tech to keep pace with evolving demands.
- 79% agree that the abundance of tech resources can be overwhelming, underscoring the complexity and vastness of the tech landscape in the sector.
| How can Uber for Business help? |
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| Easy-to-use platform: With just a tap, your team can request a trip in over 70 countries around the world. We make it easier to set permissions and track spending. Automate expenses: We integrate with leading expense software providers such as SAP Concur, so expenditures can be processed automatically. No more employees hunting down receipts. |
Click here to get in touch with our sales team for a free demo.
Methodology: This survey, conducted in collaboration with Censuswide, seeks to gather insights from 250 business travel managers in the UK, along with additional respondents from ITM (Institute of Travel Management). The survey, which was in the field in December 2023, consisted of 10 questions focused on their perspectives and experiences within the corporate travel industry.
Posted by Uber
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