Business Travel Perks Businesses Should Know About

Written by Emma

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September 10, 2024

Corporate travel is often perceived as a mere operational expense rather than a strategic asset. However, beneath its surface lies a wealth of business travel perks that can significantly impact a company’s success.

Beyond the financial implications, business travel offers valuable opportunities to strengthen professional relationships through face-to-face interactions, which foster deeper trust and collaboration. It also plays a crucial role in enhancing employee satisfaction by providing experiences that boost morale and engagement.

To add to that, business travel accelerates professional development by exposing employees to new ideas and industry trends. It enhances brand visibility and supports market expansion by establishing a company’s presence in new regions.

The challenges of travel can improve organisational agility and problem-solving skills, while team-building activities during trips strengthen team cohesion. Recognising these multifaceted benefits allows companies to transform corporate travel from a cost centre into a strategic investment that drives growth and success.

Continue reading for a thorough understanding of all the business travel perks.

Business travel is more than simply an operating expense; it is a strategic investment with multiple advantages that can propel a firm to success.

The Perks of Business Travel:

1. Negotiate contracts and onboard new clients

One of the most beneficial aspects of business travel is the ability to negotiate deals and onboard new clients through offline encounters. In-person meetings have an emotional component that can assist build trust and rapport. When you are both seen and heard, you can better convey your message and be convincing in negotiations.

According to research, in-person encounters can be extremely beneficial in developing long-term connections and negotiating major contracts. In a Harvard Business Review survey of nearly 2000 people, 95% said that face-to-face encounters were essential for building long-term partnerships.

2. Strengthen existing business relationships

Business travel has proven to be an effective tool for improving existing client connections.

Meeting clients in person allows you to discover new projects, have a deeper understanding of their challenges and wants, and provide more effective answers. This can lead to better decision-making, resulting in long-term client connections.

3. Increase Brand Visibility and Awareness

Building awareness of a brand is one of the most essential corporate travel benefits. Face-to-face meetings with potential clients can provide numerous corporate travel benefits, such as introducing your brand to new individuals, creating key connections, and generating leads.

Another significant advantage of corporate travel is that it can boost your brand’s legitimacy and repute. Representing your brand at local events indicates your commitment to developing great consumer relationships.

Corporate trips provide opportunities for face-to-face product demonstrations or presentations, which can often be more impactful than their digital counterparts. Allowing potential clients to see and experience your offers firsthand helps you express the value and benefits of your products or services more effectively.

4. Tax write-offs

Certain business expenses can be written off or deducted from taxes. Many parts of the world include travel charges. Travel expenses that are directly tied to your business are eligible for tax deductions.

Tax write-offs are one of the key benefits of business travel, which is why many organizations consider these expenses allowable.

5. Increase employee productivity

Companies should consider providing some leisure time to their staff during business trips to boost productivity. According to a survey commissioned by London City Airport for its Leisure Travel Report, 61% of respondents reported feeling more productive following their leisure travels.

This implies that including leisure activities in business trips can help employees feel more refreshed, invigorated, and driven, resulting in higher productivity. Furthermore, business travels allow employees to reflect on their job and personal lives, which can increase self-awareness and help them clarify their goals.

6. Enhance Skills and Personality

According to recent research by The Economist Intelligence Unit and Lucidchart, nearly half of all employees (42%) feel that workplace misconceptions are caused by variations in communication styles. Traveling allows you to explore and better comprehend different communication styles, which you may apply and benefit from when you return to work.

Furthermore, business travel can improve flexibility and time management skills by motivating employees to handle their travel itineraries and workloads effectively. Travelling can also promote self-reliance because navigating unfamiliar environments can increase independence and confidence.

Business travel can improve critical thinking skills by exposing people to unexpected scenarios and forcing them to think creatively in order to solve difficulties.

7. Boost Employee Satisfaction

A recent survey suggests that corporate travel can enhance employee satisfaction. The survey found that 64% of business travellers claimed to enjoy their jobs less when they weren’t on the move. This shows that business travel can offer employees a sense of purpose and excitement that they may not get in their daily lives.

Additionally, the study discovered that nearly half (48%) of employees are considering a career move, showing that a lack of travel chances may lead to disengagement and turnover.

Business travel has numerous perks, including the ability to enhance professional relationships and increase employee happiness, as well as accelerate professional development and brand recognition. In addition, the skills obtained from negotiating travel problems can boost organizational agility, while team-building opportunities on travels can promote greater cohesion and collaboration. By identifying and capitalizing on these travel perks, businesses can turn business travel into a strong instrument for growth, innovation, and competitive advantage, ultimately improving overall performance.

Not sure where to start on your business travel journey? Contact The Travel Group for advice on all things business travel. The Travel Group are business travel experts who are ready to help make your business travel more efficient. Book a free travel assessment to see what The Travel Group can do for your business travel needs.