The majority of UK travel managers say travel is a growing business priority in 2024, anticipating increased budgets driven by return-to-office policies, inflation and ESG requirements.
This is a key finding in new research by Uber for Business – a global platform managing rides and meals – which reveals the resurgent demand for business travel.
The research, drawing insights from over 250 corporate travel managers across the UK, reveals the top business travel trends and challenges to watch in 2024. In this landscape of shifting dynamics, where emphasis on ESG requirements is intensifying, there is an increasing need for innovative travel management solutions.
Jenna Brown, Head of Uber for Business UK, comments: “As UK travel managers prepare for an increase in business travel, it’s important for the industry to focus on sustainability and efficiency. Businesses tell us that they want to reduce their carbon footprint without compromising on the transport options. The launch of our sustainability dashboard can help, providing a simple tool for companies to monitor and report CO2 emissions from employee trips helping travel can meet reporting requirements while keeping costs low.”
In response, travel managers are setting clear priorities for the year ahead, emphasising flexibility in travel choices and gathering employee feedback to respond effectively to real-time insights.
There is a clear call among UK travel managers for new technology and solutions in response to the rapidly changing travel landscape. However, the sheer variety of tools available, each claiming to optimise different travel management aspects, poses a challenge in choosing the most effective and appropriate solutions.