Business Continuity
Behind the Scenes of Canadian Business Travel: Insights by Wakefield Research
In a recent survey conducted by Wakefield Research, Canadian business travellers have shared significant concerns and preferences that are impacting the evolving landscape of corporate travel.
6th Annual Global Business Travellers Report
Business Travel is Essential to Career Success – and, Most Enjoy It
To learn more, download the full report
From working through policy challenges to dealing with unexpected travel disruptions, Canadian business travellers are navigating a complex environment where balancing personal and professional needs are essential. Here are some of the key takeaways that we’ve gathered for you:
Flexibility vs. Policy
According to the research, Canadian business travellers view travel as essential for career progression (66%), yet they face limitations like restricted remote work during personal trips (30%) and difficulty extending business trips for personal reasons (28%). Surprisingly, 20% would decline trips that don’t allow personal extensions. See Canadian data findings here.
Cost-Cutting Amid Disruptions
Another finding in this year’s research is that travel unpredictability forces 91% to adjust plans annually, with issues ranging from meeting rescheduling (38%) to enduring longer layovers (62%). Despite these challenges, 40% of travellers feel their companies prioritize cost-cutting over flexibility needs.
To address these concerns and enhance financial management, we offer Budget and Intelligence. Track expenses in real-time, ensuring spending aligns with budgets and easily adjusting financial plans as needed with Intelligence.
Canadian Travellers Preferences
In the face of adversity, 95% of travellers demonstrate their ability to put their foot down. From refusing a trip over safety concerns (47%) or the lack of flexibility (29%) to concerns about the mode of transportation that they’re being required to use (38%) - travellers are taking a stand.
Implementing travel management tools like Concur Travel and TripLink can help address these concerns by providing comprehensive safety features, real-time updates, and flexible options, ensuring that business travelers can make informed decisions and feel secure during their trips.
AI: Potential Travel Helper
AI-enablement can significantly aid in improving travel conditions. Around 96% of survey respondents believe AI can improve travel conditions, but only 4% currently use AI-enabled options due to concerns about data protection (45%) and lack of training (44%).
Partnering with a solution provider like, SAP Concur can help take the pressure off businesses. Our AI roadmap prioritizes data protection. By integrating into travel management, we can help enhance travel experiences.
Equal Opportunities and Pre-approvals
If that doesn’t seem complex enough, there are additional issues. 68% reveal that they do not always feel they have equal opportunities for business travel compared to their colleagues, with seniority, age, and ethnicity or race being prominent reasons. Further, a considerable focus has been placed on pre-travel approvals in many companies, causing additional expenses due to unexpected travel challenges.
Implementing solutions like Concur Travel Request can help streamline the approval process, helping to manage costs and ensure fairness in travel opportunities for all employees.
Spotlight: Sustainability
Sustainability appears to be a notable aspect of business travel, with 28% of Canadian travellers willing to decline a trip due to its potential environmental impact. Impressively, a quarter of Canadian companies are keener on sustainable travel than on cost-cutting or flexibility. However, corporate budgets often do not align, as 27% of travel managers struggle to meet expectations on sustainable travel options without sufficient funds.
SAP Concur is committed to helping make sustainability more attainable for businesses. We offer solutions that align travel policies with sustainability goals, using data analytics to optimize travel plans and manage environmental impact within budget.
Read more details on the Wakefield Research of the current business travel landscape in Canada and request a demo of our travel solutions for your business today.