新秩序：大流行后的商务旅行（EN）-42页_792kb

Summary of "A New Order: Business Travel, Corporate Procurement and Workspace in a Post-Pandemic World"

Overview

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly altered business travel and work practices, accelerating the shift to hybrid work models and virtual interactions. The report, based on a survey of travel managers, explores how companies are adapting post-pandemic, focusing on travel policies, remote work arrangements, office footprints, and the use of flexible workspaces. It highlights that while business travel is returning, companies are embracing reduced office space and more remote work options.

Key Findings on Business Travel

• Post-pandemic business travel is resuming, with hybrid models dominating (67% of companies). Most travel programs maintain pre-pandemic staffing levels, but tasks like data analysis and risk management are taking more time.
• Domestic travel is more readily permitted (83% of companies), whereas international travel remains restricted in some cases (63% permit it). Spend has recovered faster than expected, but travel programs are busier due to evolving policies and technological demands.

Remote Work and Office Policies

• Remote work is widespread, with 81% of companies allowing some remote arrangements. Benefits include improved employee morale, retention, talent acquisition, productivity, and cost savings (rated 79%, 74%, 72%, 62%, and 60% by managers, respectively).
• Office footprints are shrinking (40% report reduction), with companies adopting hybrid schedules. Fewer employees work fully in-office or fully remote, reflecting a balance between on-site and remote work.
• Remote work policies are not yet fully standardized; many companies are still evaluating whether they are permanent. Key departments like HR lead policy development, but travel managers play an emerging role.

Flexible Workspaces and Coworking

• A third of companies allow employees to rent coworking or flexible office spaces occasionally. However, only 17% of such spend is fully managed, leading to risks and inefficiencies. Benefits of integrating booking include easier employee experiences, consolidated data, streamlined payments, and enhanced safety.
• Interest in unifying booking tools for hotels, meetings, and coworking spaces is growing, but RFPs for coworking providers are rarely pursued for discounts or amenities.

Travel Program Management

• Most functions, such as travel policy design and TMC oversight, are handled in-house, with minimal outsourcing beyond specific tasks like hotel RFPs.
• Staff sizes are largely unchanged post-pandemic, averaging 4.5 full-time employees, varying by travel spend but with stability overall. Customer service experience is a top desired skill for new hires, reflecting a renewed emphasis on human interaction in travel programs.

Methodology and Respondents

• The report is based on an online survey of U.S., Canada, and European travel managers conducted in June 2022. A response rate of 6.8% was achieved, with 187 completing the full survey.
• Respondents represent diverse industries, primarily concentrated in finance, healthcare, and travel sectors, with travel spend ranging from under $10 million to over $30 million annually. The U.S. has the highest representation (71%), and most programs are housed in finance or procurement departments.