How your business travellers keep in touch

Elegant young woman walking and talking on the phone in urban environment.

When travelling, it can be difficult to remain in touch with family and friends back home. Research from Carlson Wagonlit suggests this is particularly challenging for the business traveller.

A survey of more than 1,900 business travellers revealed that travellers from APAC are less likely (32 per cent) to check-in more than once a day by phone, text, email or by other methods, compared with Europe (37 per cent) and America (47 per cent).

Only one-third (31 per cent) of travellers from Asia Pacific (APAC) contact their families when on business trips, compared with half of business travellers from the Americas and around a quarter (27 per cent) of Europeans.

Australian business travellers however, were more likely (78 per cent) to say the benefits of business travel outweigh negatives for building and maintaining relationships at home.

Today’s modern technology has greatly improved the way business travellers can communicate with family and friends while on the road.

“Obviously business travellers miss family life when they are away, but most travellers make sure they stay in touch,” said Julian Walker, Head of External Communications at Carlson Wagonlit Travel.

Twenty-seven per cent of business travellers from Australia put more effort to stay connected with family while traveling, and 39 per cent use a phone as the preferred method of communication.

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Social media, voice and video calls, and texting have made it simpler for business travellers to keep in touch. However, it still caused strain on relationships.

“While technology continues to evolve, most travellers still favour traditional ways to connect with family and friends,” said Walker.

“Digital tools, like video calls, are making it easier for travellers to feel more connected with their family when they’re away.”

The survey found that 64 per cent of Australian business travellers have missed at least one social event or special occasion in the last year because they were away on a business trip. Additionally, nearly half (49 per cent) encountered problems with home and personal relationships.

 

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