Business travel is either immensely satisfying or a nuisance; a new study details what exactly causes true road warriors to either jump for joy or consider a change in career paths. According to the study, conducted by ARC, American Express Global Business Travel and tClara, the average road warrior is male, born between 1964 and 1983, married, with two children and a $155,000 salary. He takes 26 trips annually, 10 of which are international, and spends 84 nights away from home. He’s generally satisfied with his company’s travel policy but aims to reduce his business travel significantly within two years. In fact, he thinks he could most likely find another, comparable job elsewhere without travel requirements. If he does decide to switch jobs, the travel policy is as or more important than the pay and job description. Traveler friction, or travel burnout, is simply the wear and tear of too much business travel. For the purpose of the study, there are several symptoms of traveler friction, and the average business traveler experiences about half of them. These include poor sleep, familial worries, low immunity and a desire for more time off. Reducing traveler friction is as easy as choosing non-stop flights, staying at better hotels, flying business class on long trips and receiving paid time off after travel. While most road warriors (approximately two-thirds), do not feel vulnerable to travel burnout, those who do generally follow a pattern. They work for companies that overemphasize the reduction of travel costs, are less likely to enjoy travel, less likely to follow travel policies and less satisfied with the business outcomes of their trips. They also are less likely to stay at 5-star hotels or fly business class. Even road warriors who aren’t likely to experience burnout still wish management was more aware of their feelings toward travel and showed more appreciation for their hard work. However, road warriors polled view their travel as necessary for the success of their company and feel the value of their work is worth the sacrifices made. Meeting new people and experiencing an uncertain adventure were reported as two of the top reasons road warriors love to travel for business. Road warriors’ final advice to management when addressing travel burnout and friction? They expressed the need for management to check back periodically on their willingness to travel, understand the negative aspects of travel, show more appreciation and allow travel changes according to personal needs. Do you consider yourself a road warrior? Have you ever experienced travel burnout? How do you think companies can make travel more enjoyable for business travelers? Email us and let us know. Please include your full name and location with your email.