Business travel declines - GMTC

The number of corporations sending their employees on trips aboard is declining - though those that do should still purchase business travel insurance.

The Guild of Travel Management Companies (GTMC) has revealed that organisations have reduced their air travel by 17 per cent in 2009, despite hotel bookings remaining strong throughout the first three months of this year.

However, the research did disclose that rail journeys have risen in popularity, with organisations increasing their use of this form of transport by 14 per cent.

Phillip Carlisle, CTMC chief executive, claimed that the results of the survey had produced an "accurate snapshot" of the industry.

He said: "The continuing growth in rail travel year on year shows a change in business traveller behaviour which may well continue when the UK emerges from the recession."

Last month, the corporate services provider A T Kearney claimed that business travel is essential to a globalised economy and cannot just stop.