According to the Business Traveler Market Segmentation Study survey released by GBTA, business travelers increasingly use technology to make travel more productive but also to stay in touch with those back home.

The study’s finding include:

• The majority of business travelers report there is no substitute for being there in person (78%), and enjoy traveling for work (78%).

• Almost half of business travelers report that staying in touch on the road with family and friends (46%) and staying safe (46%) while traveling are the most important goals on trip.

• Nearly half (46%) have to work under tight budgets, putting pressure on their travel plans.

• The average trip lasts four days and costs $1,837 USD.

• Business travelers tend to be college-educated (71%), 38 years old on average, and male (59%).

The study identifies five segments of travelers in the market today: The Veteran (33%), Road Weary (25%), Wide-eyed and Anxious (21%), Passionate High-Tech (14%) and New Recruits (7%) based on their travel goals, characteristics, technology usages and demographics.

“The Veteran” has an average of 12 trips taken per year with an average of four nights away from home per trip and are usually 35 years of age or older.The most important goal identified by veteran travelers is ensuring they are not hindered by a lack of equipment of connectivity showing a high receptiveness to new technology for more productivity on the road. This group enjoys traveling with almost all (94%) bringing laptops on the road to stay in touch with those back home.

The “Road Weary” traveler has taken an average of 15 trips per year with an average of three nights away from home per trip. The majority are older in age with 74% being older than 35 years of age. The most important goal to Road Weary travelers is feeling safe when on trip (42%) and staying in touch with family (41%). Road Weary travelers are most likely of all traveler groups to bring a portable GPS on trip.

“Wide-eyed and Anxious” describes less frequent travelers who experience travel challenges. With average of 11 trips taken per year and four nights away from home per trip, these are typically younger travelers (89%) who are under 55 years old. In general, these travelers are younger travelers with less experience on the road, these travelers tend to enjoy travel but get nervous navigating new destinations and following policies.

“Passionate High-Tech” are enthusiastic travelers and early adapters of tech. They take 13 trips taken per year with an average of four nights away from home per trip. They are almost all younger travelers with (91%) less than 54 years old. They love to travel for work and look to technology to make them more productive and stay in the know with their friends and family. They spend more per trip and fly to their destinations and are likely to embrace new technologies such as tablet devices (25%) while on the road.

GBTA and study sponsor Concur will present this research at the 2011 GBTA Convention in Denver on August 22, 2011 at 10:15-11:15 AM, elaborating on figures and findings and providing supplementary information about how to fulfill the eminent needs of each type of traveler.

Source: GBTA