ΔΙΕΘΝΗΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΗΛΕΚΤΡΟΝΙΚΗ ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙΔΑ ΠΟΙΚΙΛΗΣ ΥΛΗΣ - ΕΔΡΑ: ΑΘΗΝΑ

Ει βούλει καλώς ακούειν, μάθε καλώς λέγειν, μαθών δε καλώς λέγειν, πειρώ καλώς πράττειν, και ούτω καρπώση το καλώς ακούειν. (Επίκτητος)

(Αν θέλεις να σε επαινούν, μάθε πρώτα να λες καλά λόγια, και αφού μάθεις να λες καλά λόγια, να κάνεις καλές πράξεις, και τότε θα ακούς καλά λόγια για εσένα).

Τρίτη 27 Μαΐου 2025

Business Travel Show Europe: Minority groups not a priority when planning business trips


 Ahead of Pride Month, new data published today by Business Travel Show Europe reveals that minority groups of business travellers, including those from the LGBTQ+ community, are being considered less and less when it comes to travel policies and programmes.


More than half – 55% – of the 115 travel buyers surveyed stated that they do not provide special consideration for LGBTQ+ travellers – a slight increase from 54% in 2024. In addition, only 9% stated they are planning to provide special consideration in the future and just over a fifth (22%) already do – a decline from 27% in 2024.



Travellers with accessibility needs

Those travellers with accessibility needs are also facing greater marginalisation as just over a third – 35% – of respondents stated that they do offer special consideration, a marked decline from 43% in 2024 and 48% in 2023.


Neurodivergent people

Despite estimates that up to 20% of the global population is now neurodivergent, this cohort also continues to face the challenge of inclusion when it comes to corporate travel. Indeed, only 15% of respondents to this year’s survey consider neurodivergent travellers, down from 18% last year.


Women still expected to go it alone

The recent PwC Women in Work report forecasts the positive impact that women in the workforce can deliver for productivity and economic growth. It predicts that sustaining continued progress on female participation rates up to 2030 could translate to an estimated UK GDP increase of £43.5bn by 2030. Despite this contribution, however, just over a quarter – 29% – of travel managers take into account specific needs of solo women travellers, down from just over a third – 36% – in 2024.


Younger and older travellers

Both categories of age group have seen a continued decline in the level of consideration they receive. Only 22% stated they consider the needs of younger travellers, compared to 20% considering the needs of older travellers when planning policies and programmes. These figures are also down from 26% and 23% respectively in 2024.


Commenting on the results Carolyn Pearson, CEO of Maiden Voyage, a business travel safety training provider, said, “The findings are concerning given that we are seeing increased risk to minority groups of travellers. We know that women face specific challenges related to pregnancy (such as Zika virus exposure), varying airline fit-to-fly protocols, and menopause supplements that are illegal in some countries. Likewise LGBTQ+ employees face severe safety threats and travellers with disabilities face unique challenges related to accessibility and accommodation, sometimes leading to serious disruptions to their travel plans. Employers have a duty of care toward their employees and appropriately preparing employees to travel is a better outcome for all, morally, fiscally and legally.” 


Business Travel Show Europe Marketing Director Jonathan Carter-Chapman adds, “The results from this year’s survey highlight that there is still important work to be done to support minority groups when it comes to travelling for business.


“Knowledge and understanding of the requirements of different groups is increasing all the time and so too is research on the valuable contribution all sections of society can make to business performance and wider economic growth. Whilst some of those surveyed have stated they are planning to include minority groups in their business travel policies and programmes this year, the majority are not and, whilst cost isn’t seen as a barrier for the majority, the results would therefore suggest it is perhaps a lack of willing


“For travel managers and corporates to unlock the potential of our minority groups, they need to take a more inclusive approach to corporate travel policies, programmes and reporting to understand where and how they can make a contribution to corporate growth. This year’s Business Travel Show Europe includes a session on “Sustainability and other ESG strategies that work” where buyers will have the chance to learn more about applying equal opportunities across their programmes and implementing a more inclusive approach in the future.” 


YEAR ON YEAR RESPONSES TO: Has your travel policy/programme been built with special consideration for the following traveller



Yes 2025
Yes 2024
No – 2025
No – 2024
We plan to – 2025
We plan to – 2024
It’s too costly – 2025
It’s too costly – 2024
LGBTQ+
22%
27
55%
54
9%
9
0%
4
Solo women
29%
36
51%
48
9%
11
1%
1
Marginalised communities (faith, race, religion) 
17%
23
61%
59
9%
10
3%
4
People with accessibility requirements
35%
43
38%
36
13%
14
1%
5
Younger people
22%
26
59%
62
6%
7
1%
0
Older people 
20%
23
59%
62
6%
8
1%
1
Neurodivergent people
14%
18
61%
62
12%
10
1%
2
Jewish Community 
8%
 13
68%
 67
7%
 7
3%
 3
Orthodox religious travellers
9%
 15
67%
 67
7%
 7
3%
 9
115 corporate travel and procurement professionals, EAs and PAs polled in March 2025. 78% of these were travel managers, 17% in procurement and 5% EAs/PAs. The geographical split was UK – 36%, Europe – 47%, RoW – 17%.  
Business Travel Show Europe returns to Excel London from 25-26 June 2025 alongside TravelTech Show and The Meetings Show. It will unite over 700 qualified buyers and 200 exhibitors for high-level, in-person networking and a premium conference programme.