Economist Intelligence Unit Predicts New Age of Austerity for Business Travelers

Amadeus is launching a report commissioned from the Economist Intelligence Unit, into the effect of the economic downturn on executives’ choice of hotel. Titled, “The Austere traveler - the effect of corporate cutbacks on hotels”, the report finds that executives will make fewer, shorter and cheaper business trips in 2009 and switch from luxury extras in favor of basic efficiency and good service.

Fully one-fifth of the 354 executives who responded to the survey in Asia, Europe and North America thought an internet connection was more critical than a quiet room.

As much as 47 percent of executives surveyed will be taking fewer trips in the next twelve months, and over a quarter (28 percent) expect to downgrade from 4 and 5-star hotels. In addition, 63 percent of respondents expect their companies to use the economic downturn to extract the best possible rates from hotels. A huge proportion of executives -61 percent- said a trusted brand with uniform levels of service across locations would be a decisive factor when choosing a hotel in 2009.

When asked which features they simply could not do without, business travelers were impressively devoted to productivity on the road: internet connectivity is indispensable to more business travelers (76 percent of respondents) than a quiet room (56 percent), good transport links (54 percent) or central location (52 percent).

These findings suggest that business travelers measure value by price and guaranteed uniform service and efficiency. Respondents cited efficient check-in and check-out (68 percent), flexibility to change requirements (64 percent) and rapid resolution of problems (59 percent) as the best indicators of good hotel service. Almost a third (29 percent) also appreciate hotels which remember their preferences.