Business travellers need the right tools

A recent study has confirmed the link between tech-savvy Gen Y and the effect the generation has had on the landscape of business travel.

The true extent to which Gen Y has driven technological uptake in business travel was revealed in a survey compiled by Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT), titled Australian Business Traveller Insights: Mobile Technology 2011, where it found that one third of regular business travellers are from Gen Y.

The research highlighted the extent to which technology has facilitated modern business travel, and found that when equipped with the right tools for the trip, employees are likely to be more productive, satisfied and stay with the organisation.

However, just 22% of surveyed business travellers said they thought their organisation had provided excellent tools. Further, 30% said they were provided with average, poor or very poor technology.

The research also revealed that business travellers across all generations value enhanced access to mobile technology and devices for the security and safety network it provides.

Further, 41% of Gen Y said they would refuse to travel to a destination where they would not be connected for safety concerns. This contrasted greatly with Baby Boomers – just 22% held the same view.

According to the report, Gen Y business travellers identified more benefits in having the right technology than any other generation, and were more open to new technologies to help them achieve their business and personal objectives. 

Peter Brady, managing director CWT Australia and New Zealand, added that HR can learn a great deal about this generation because, “[Gen Y] travellers are helping to shape technology adoption in the workplace. They value the efficiency of self service and recognise mobile devices as an ideal tool for facilitating this.”

Brady said that because Gen Ys are the most demanding in terms of wanting and using technological advances, they are therefore the key drivers of change.

These demands should be celebrated, Brady said, because ultimately it is enhancing business productivity.

The report showed the top four mobile functions which enhance business travel and facilitate productivity are:

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