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Results from a new survey of unmanaged business travellers in Best Western’s loyalty programme has found that the effects of recession are easing and that more people plan to hit the road for business again in 2010.

Published: 19 Mar 2010

Results from a new survey of unmanaged business travellers in Best Western’s loyalty programme has found that the effects of recession are easing and that more people plan to hit the road for business again in 2010.

Best Western highlighted that the positive signals indicated in this recent survey are in line with recent data from American Express and others that show a slow but steady return to business travel as the year progresses.

As a sign of ongoing economic recovery, positive indicators in industries such as aerospace, maritime, petroleum and food are being seen, according to members of the Best Western Diamond 100 (BWD100) Advisory Board. Made up of nearly 400 of the brand’s best customers, BWD100 members work for small and medium sized companies, or for themselves. These business travellers drive more often than they fly and often make their own travel decisions, rather than relying on travel agents or corporate travel managers.

Chris McGinnis, editor for Best Western’s blog, YouMustBeTrippin.com and manager of the survey, said, “More than 20 percent of BWD100 members, for example, said they plan on taking more business trips in the coming months, compared with just 11 percent back in July of 2009.”