In a survey out today, commissioned by web meetings specialist WebEx Communications and carried out by NOP, business people revealed that they take an astounding 12.9 flights per year for business, with the average trip lasting 5.2 days. With 67.8 days every year spent away on business?more than three times the amount of annual leave taken by the average UK worker? the survey confirms that business travel is taking over our lives.
Corporate travellers would rather visit the in-laws
Almost half of business travellers (46%) would rather suffer dinner with the in-laws than the stress of international airports. A further 42% would rather go through the rigmarole of house hunting and an astounding 37% would rather scrub the toilet than undergo the hassle of checking in, the irritation of passport control and the ëdead timeí lost sitting in the airport lounge.
Business travel is a lonely existence
An exciting and glamorous perk? Apparently not. A huge 81% of us say the first thing we do on reaching the safety of the hotel room is call our partners. According to the survey, men that miss their partners the most, with almost twice as many men (60%) than women admitted to missing their partners when travelling for work. The survey found that 49% of women miss their children, not their partners.
Itís all work, work, work and no play
Almost half of the respondents admitted to continuing to work, well into the evening, when travelling for work. When it comes to social activities, theyíre no more exciting. Books remain the most popular choice, with over 72% indulging in light bedtime reading. In fact just 8% of respondents venture out of their hotel room on the average business trip.
ìBusiness travel is a notoriously painful experience,î commented Sylvia Jensen, director of communications, WebEx. ìThe survey results show that there is a strong case for encouraging workers to engage in virtual business meetings. Obviously, there are many occasions where it is imperative to meet face-to-face, but business professionals should understand that there is an alternative to the frustration of international travel.î
Creature comforts that make business trips more bearable.
In this survey of the hardnosed business community, 4% of respondents confessed they take a cuddly toy to make themselves feel at home! And with 5% of us refusing to leave home without a lucky charm, youíd be forgiven for thinking that UK business travellers are more Frank Spencer than Alan Sugar!
Honey Langcaster-James, Life Coach and Big Brother psychologist said, ìThe popular myth sees ëBrits abroadí as outgoing travel louts. This research shows, when it comes to business travel, itís a different story. When we travel on business, we adopt an insular approach, rarely even venturing beyond our hotel room and generally putting our personal lives in stasis. In fact, business travel can be a lonely existence and it seems itís more ëBrits are boredí than ëBrits abroadí.
WebEx survey reveals the secret life of the international business traveller
Business travel is taking its toll on British workers as we spend more and more time on the road for work
