New research by the Institute of Travel and Meetings (ITMInstitute of Travel Management (UK and Ireland): A professional body for buyers, managers and suppliers of business travel in the UK and Ireland, with 1,000 members from large corporates, government departments & NGOs, SMEs and travel suppliers such as airlines, hotel companies, rail, car rental, technology and travel management companies (TMCs).) has revealed that buyers want more government engagement over issues affecting business travel.
The survey of buyers ranged from airport expansion, taxes and long running concern over airlines’ use of data.
The research showed that 45% of buyers still want expansion at London Heathrow Airport despite the Conservative-Lib Dem government and the Labour opposition opposing a third runway.
Nearly of fifth of respondents (19%) were against expansion but a surprising 36% said they were unsure.
On the expansion of regional airports in the UK, 60% of buyers said they backed this.
Less surprising were the 80% who said the aviation industry was taxed too highly.
The poll also found that 77% supported high speed rail developments in the UK again despite some vocal opposition to current government plans.
Outside concerns over capacity, nearly half the buyers (45%) said the rules protecting airlines’ use of passenger data were “insufficient” while 77% said the UK government needed to get involved in the issues over transparency and competition thrown up by the increased unbundling of services and charging of ancillary fees by carriers.
Mark Cuschieri, a leading member of ITM’s Industry Affairs Group which commissioned the research, said: “These results provide us with a very clear indication of the buyer sentiment at this time.
“They want better engagement from government and NGO’s who create policy affecting the business travel community as there are numerous areas of concern.”
The research was carried out in conjunction with ITM’s partner GBTAGlobal Business Travel Association: formerly the NBTA (National Business Travel Association) and renamed in February 2011. It provides it
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