If you are a business traveler you may not realize it, but you are a hot commodity right now; that’s right. Unfortunately, this prize customer has been in hiding ever sense the global economic crisis. Today, the hospitality, rental car, airline, and hotel industries are noticing a slight uptick in business traveling, and that is a very good thing for their shareholder’s equity and quarterly profits.
Indeed, business traveling folks are often given deals for extra-nights, extra rental car days, and even free add-on services by companies who wish to retain them as loyal customers. This type of discounting strategy is working. Luckily, the business travel market is coming back, and the sign can be read loud and clear; Business Travelers Welcome!
In fact, according to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal on July 15, 2010 entitled “Business Travelers Behave” in the Travel Watch Section, author Jonnelle Marte explains that business clients are much easier guests, require much less baby-sitting, and rarely misbehave. They are also willing to pay more for extra services like WiFi, whether on an airline flight or in a hotel.
You see, as businesses try to grow out of the recession, they must re-establish commercial contacts, and send their sales, marketing, and proposal teams to meet and greet clientele. This is a win-win for all concerned, especially the hospitality industry which really needs them to come back and spend on all things travel related.
Of course, these days there is a lot of competition for the traveling business person. There are hotels, extended stay hotels, and even condo and timeshare rentals who cater to the business community and like I said, the welcome sign it flashing in bright neon, they want your business, and they will do whatever it takes to get it too. They aim to please, and I hope you’ll please consider all this.