DENVER, CO – Direct Travel, Inc., a market leader in corporate travel management, released the findings of new research revealing optimism about AI, a surge in bleisure travel and the need for greater innovation when booking a trip especially among Gen Z business travelers. Among the 650 respondents to its Personalization Takes Priority: How Business Travelers are Reshaping Travel Management Companies (TMCs) survey, 87% would be comfortable having AI make their travel arrangements and bookings automatically, 90% have bleisure traveled and nearly all of them (93%) say TMCs must innovate with technology to maintain a role in the business travel ecosystem.
“Today’s business travelers have made it clear: the status quo is not enough,” said Christal Bemont, CEO, Direct Travel. “Travelers are demanding an overhaul of the way travel is managed, emphasizing the need for personalized, tech-driven solutions that offer delight in all aspects of the travel experience, from reservations to reimbursements.”
Key findings from Direct Travel’s research report include:
Innovate or Stagnate: More than one third (37%) of business travelers do not believe the industry is innovative, with almost two thirds (63%) seeking a wider array of options for content, signaling a demand for industry-wide innovation.
Gen Z’s Got the Business Travel Blues: 18-29 year olds are the least satisfied with corporate travel, rating their business travel experience the lowest of all other age groups (7/10).
AI Optimism: Business travelers are overwhelmingly optimistic about the role AI can play in the business travel experience: 96% are at least somewhat interested in a business travel digital assistant that could anticipate needs and make recommendations based on personal preferences and travel routines.
Bleisure is More Than Just a Trend, It’s Ubiquitous: Of the 90% of business travelers who have extended a business trip for pleasure, more than half acknowledge doing so “frequently.” Almost all respondents (98%) agree that incorporating leisure into business trips positively impacts overall work performance.
“At Direct Travel, we’re not just listening to these travelers – we’re actively responding with new technology, tailored solutions, and exemplary service. Our goal is to set a new standard in corporate travel management, ensuring that every journey is as close to perfect as possible,” continued Bemont.
The article Survey finds 87% of business travelers ready to adopt AI first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.