Business travel is a valued practice by 91% of Brazilian professionals, according to the "Corporate Traveler Profile", a recent survey from theOnflylargest B2B travel tech in Latin America,carried out in partnership with Opinion Box.The study, that was born with the aim of helping companies better organize their travel management, improve the employee experience and optimize travel policies in a more strategic and informed way, you heard 1.021 professionals across the country
The data shows that 64% of business travelers have been with their current companies for more than five years and that 55% are in leadership positions.The study also reveals that the main reasons for corporate travel are due to training and development (47%), events and fairs (45%) and field visits (32%).
Regarding the frequency of trips,15% of professionals reported that they travel once a year, 22% once a semester and 28% travel once every three months
Sectors that provide the most business trips
The research also points out the segments that most frequently undertake business trips: service organizations lead this list, representing 16%, followed by others, with 15%. Health ranks third, with 11% and technology in fourth, with 10%.
However,53% of professionals who travel for work said that the companies they work for do not have a specific area responsible for organizing trips.This result shows how companies in Brazil can still invest in innovation when it comes to the experience of their employees with corporate travel, aiming to simplify the life of those who travel for work, ensure greater transparency for managers and save at the end of the month,comments Marcelo Linhares, CEO and co-founder of Onfly.
Travel expenses
The main expenses associated with these trips are related to food (87%), accommodation (79%) and local transport (60%)
Travel policies
Onfly's research shows that 89% of business travelers are clear about their companies' travel policies, with access to guidelines mainly through online documents (49%), meetings with the responsible sectors (27%) or via platforms (27%). Marcelo Linhares evaluates that, with the transparency of travel policies, the professionals who travel have all the necessary tools to take care of their trips independently. As the data shows, if most people have this clarity about travel, the reservation of this type of commitment would not need to be made by third parties. They could manage this with freedom, according to your own preferences, evaluate
The study also presents data regarding the payment methods used in corporate travel: 37% of professionals said they make payments via corporate card,while 35% still pay travel expenses out of pocket and then receive reimbursement. When it comes to accountability,39% of respondents indicated that this process is carried out automatically, while 32% still need to do this via paper documents
Technology is an essential tool for all sectors today, but, unfortunately, we still see companies that carry out expense reimbursement processes for corporate travel in an archaic way, where employees need to keep the receipts and present them upon return from the trip to get their reimbursement and, many times, this financial return takes days, weeks and even months to be credited to the account, says Linhares, that complements that this habit of companies harms the employee so much, that needs to bear the costs and may face personal financial difficulties, as for the company's management, that loses visibility and faces a greater risk of fraud and issues in account reconciliation
Routine outside the house
Being away from home during business trips directly impacts the daily lives of professionals: 60% of travelers who participated in the survey reported that the practice of physical exercise is the routine most affected, while 57% said that the change in personal time and another 57% admit to having difficulties in maintaining a balanced diet.These challenges are even more felt by women, that record higher rates than men in these aspects, with emphasis on the practice of exercises: 64% against 57%.
The preferences of travelers
When it comes to the preferred customer service channels for travelers to resolve business travel issues,WhatsApp is the most used (65%), followed by the email (60%). This reinforces the need for fast and accessible channels to meet demands during travel
Already about check-in preferences,44% of travelers choose online check-in, while 20% prefer check-in at the counter and 16% self-service.
The CEO of Onfly believes that the research results endorse the opportunities that companies have to improve the well-being of employees, assisting travel managers in organizing this type of demand more strategically. The corporate traveler increasingly seeks flexibility and practicality in their journey. Providing solutions that meet these demands is essential for companies that want to value their professionals, "optimize travel results and strictly follow your policies and compliance" states
