According to the National Business Travel
Association’s “2006 Business Travel Overview Forecast,”
based on an online poll of 130 respondents, overall travel
management costs will rise by 9 percent in the coming year. The
highest single increase likely will be in hotel daily rates, which
are forecasted to rise by 9 percent; airfares are projected to
climb by 6 percent, and car rental rates by 5 percent.
What follows are some characteristics of survey respondents and
their predictions for travel spend in 2006.
93% will book fewer luxury hotels in favor of
mid-class properties.
88% are using an online booking tool.
73% believe their hotel spend will increase due to
higher rates.
51% have a mandated company travel policy.
50% expect to spend more on air travel.
41% expect their hotel spend to increase due to an
increase in the
number of trips taken.
31% likely will spend more on air travel because
of an increase in
the number of travelers.