The A-Z of business travel: from suits to scrubs, we’re all travellers

Business travel supports all industries, from healthcare to engineering, ensuring seamless journeys for everyone.

By
Matt Walton
October 15, 2024
 • 
4 minute read
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Article Contributors

Matt Walton
Marketing Executive

When someone mentions business travel, it’s easy to picture a corporate executive in a crisp suit, sipping coffee in seat 1A on a first-class flight to their next big meeting.

It’s true, we do support company executives, but this is only one small slice of the reality. Business travel touches every role, sector and individual, from the paramedic attending critical training, to the engineer overseeing an infrastructure project, to the agricultural consultant visiting remote farms. Business travel isn’t exclusive to the boardroom, it fuels industries across the UK. So what’s the value of travel management support, and who does it help? Let’s take a look.

Connecting the UK through travel

Business travel is the lifeblood of countless industries, contributing £27.7bn annually to the UK economy and supporting over 280,000 jobs. While some might think it’s exclusive to executives and big deals, the truth is it supports everyone, from hospital staff attending national conferences to vet nurses travelling to a training summit.

These journeys aren’t just a luxury; they are a necessity. Without business travel, sectors like healthcare, education, engineering and non-profits would struggle to function efficiently. Professionals need to connect, share knowledge, upskill, and troubleshoot issues in real time. Business travel is what enables critical work to happen.

The diversity of traveller needs, expectations and interests is the heart of the story, and it’s this diversity that travel management companies (TMC) (“Oh, hi Clarity!”) are designed to support.

Why great travel management matters for every traveller

Regardless of the job title, sector, or purpose of the journey, one thing is true for all business travellers, they want their trip to be seamless. From social workers to maintenance engineers, these professionals are focused on their work, not on managing complicated travel logistics. This is where a TMC makes the difference.

For travellers across all sectors, travel management is about empowering them to perform at their best. By handling bookings, changes and any disruptions along the way, we ensure that each traveller arrives at their destination ready to do their job, not exhausted from navigating travel issues. That applies equally whether you're in seat 1A or in a van on a cross-country trip to install equipment.

Leveraging technology to support the diversity of business travellers

The role of technology in modern travel management can’t be understated. With real-time updates and powerful booking platforms that tailor travel to the specific needs of individuals, we TMCs ensure that every traveller, regardless of their role or industry, gets a personalised, efficient experience.

Our smart tech platforms empower businesses to make better, data-driven travel decisions. Whether that means being on-hand for immediate rebookings or alternative travel solutions in the case of delays or providing up-to-date information on localised travel recommendations like; preferred hotels, transport suited for specific industries or risks to specific traveller profiles. Technology enables a smoother journey for everyone. So, the nurse with back-to-back shifts and the construction manager on a tight project timeline are always supported 24/7. By making travel more responsive and flexible, TMCs keep your people moving with confidence.

Sustainability: supporting industries, supporting the planet

Business travel doesn't just touch all industries, it affects the planet, too. With companies increasingly focused on reducing their carbon footprints, sustainable travel management is more critical than ever. This isn’t just a concern for big corporations either, SMEs also consider this a priority, and many industries are committed to reducing their environmental impact.

We help businesses of all sizes, across every sector, track their carbon emissions and make greener choices about how and when their employees travel. By offering alternatives like rail over short-haul flights, highlighting sustainable hotels and venues or offering carbon offset options, we ensure that business travel aligns with the sustainability goals of diverse travellers and the companies they work for.

Wellbeing: because healthy travellers are happy travellers

Wellbeing is a priority for all business travellers, be it the boardroom or remote worksite. For some, like healthcare professionals already working in high-pressure environments, travel can add another layer of stress. For others, such as charitable organisation workers on the frontlines of crisis management, the demands of travel can be physically and mentally draining.

We understand that traveller wellbeing answers the diverse needs of a modern workforce. This means offering accommodation that feels a little more like home, arranging or encouraging travellers to book travel at the right times and offering perks like free Wi-Fi, lounge access and flexible bookings. Ultimately, we make sure your journey isn’t just efficient but supports your health, happiness and productivity.

Diversity, equity and inclusion: making business travel work for everyone

Travel policies should reflect the diversity of the workforce they serve. Not all travellers have the same needs. From accessible travel options for those with disabilities to safety provisions for solo travellers in challenging regions, TMCs offer solutions to support the diverse needs of travellers and remove barriers to safe and effective trips.

This commitment to equity ensures that whether a worker is travelling for hands-on fieldwork or attending an international summit, their journey is safe, comfortable and aligned with their personal requirements. By supporting diversity, we help every business traveller thrive, no matter their role or destination.

Cost management and ROI: ensuring travel adds value across sectors

Business travel isn't just a budget drain; it's an investment in productivity. For every organisation, the question isn’t just about minimising costs but ensuring that travel delivers a strong return on investment (ROI). Businesses need to ensure that each journey is cost-effective without cutting corners.

We aim to help organisations strike the right balance. By negotiating rates and fares, advising on rate caps and providing data on whether meal allowances are up-to-date, identifying savings opportunities and ensuring that travel policies adapt to the shifting needs of travellers. By focusing on value, we help companies keep their workforce connected while maintaining cost efficiency.

Supporting every corner of the UK workforce

The diversity of business travel is vast, touching sectors and roles that often go unnoticed. From site engineers keeping infrastructure projects on track, to healthcare workers travelling to improve their skills, to rural gas engineers or marine workers visiting clients in remote locations, every traveller’s journey is vital to the success of their industry.

Every seat, whether it's in the front of the plane or the back of a service vehicle, carries someone who is making an impact. So, we make sure that every business traveller has what they need to perform their job, supporting industries across the UK, one journey at a time.

Business travel isn’t just about who’s in seat 1A, it’s about everyone, everywhere, doing what they do best.

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