It’s inevitable that travelers – whether leisure or business – will at some point encounter a stressful situation. From flight cancellations to lost luggage, it’s pretty much a given. However, new findings released from Booking.com reveal that business travelers experience a higher level of travel stress due to the gamut of anxiety-inducing scenarios that leave them worried and anxious. Mix in unforeseen circumstances within the global climate, and the stress level increases even more. The reality, though, is that business travelers still have to travel.
The research conducted by Booking.com, the global leader in connecting business travelers with the widest choice of unique places to stay, surveyed over 4,500 business travelers across eight countries. Findings highlight that although a third of business travelers generally feel positive about traveling for business (39%), the biggest stressors for those traveling internationally for business stem from the logistics of their travel, with a staggering 93% feeling stressed at some point on their journey. A combination of pre-travel planning, booking accommodations, arranging transport, managing expenses and receipts, and navigating the destination, combined with a lack of sleep, has the potential to leave business travelers weary and strained. That’s all before the important meetings and actual work have even begun.
TOP CAUSES OF ANXIETY FOR AMERICAN BUSINESS TRAVELERS
Missing a flight / train 32%
Language barriers 26%
Possibility that luggage will be lost 22%
Unfamiliar surroundings 21%
Getting around the city 18%
Losing important documents (e.g. passport,
presentation) 18%
IT setup / whether devices will work 17%
Meetings being cancelled 16%
Presenting to / meeting with people for the first time 16%
Cultural norms / differences 13%
Losing a company-owned device (e.g. laptop, mobile phone) 12%
AIRPORT ANXIETY
Airports are the biggest source of angst for American business travelers. Among their least favorite things about international business travel, delays and cancellations topped the list, with half (47%) of business travelers complaining about this. One in three (32%) say missing their flight is their biggest concern. As would be expected, jet lag (42%) and airport security queues (26%) are also disliked.
TOUCH DOWN TROUBLES
Touching down in a foreign destination can feel exciting and adventurous for those on vacation but for business travelers, it can be a different story. The research shows that worries don’t end at the airport, with one in four (26%) feeling anxious about language barriers when they reach their destination, and one in five feeling uneasy about being in unfamiliar surroundings (21%), and cultural norms and differences (13%). In addition, more than one-third say one of their least favorite things is being away from family or friends. Men (40%) are slightly more likely than women (34%) to feel this way.
Ripsy Bandourian, Director of Product Development, Booking.com for Business comments:
“While business travel has so many positives, including the opportunity to experience new cultures, broaden horizons and the chance to meet colleagues face-to-face, the logistics of business travel can get in the way. Airport queues and delays, the accommodation at your destination lacking home comforts and lack of personal time can add a layer of unnecessary stress. That’s why we launched Booking.com for Business, with seamless accommodation booking access and valuable, must-have information for business travelers such as where best to find meeting facilities, free Wi-Fi and top-class breakfasts. These capabilities can help alleviate some of the stresses and strains so the trip can be one to remember, for the right reasons.”
Source: Priceline Group
