Business travel – also known as corporate travel or travel for business – plays a crucial role in helping companies grow, build relationships, and explore new opportunities. But what exactly does it involve? Who manages it? And how has it evolved in recent years?
In this article, we’ll cover the definition of business travel, explore typical reasons why people travel for work, and look at how it’s managed across different types of organisations, from global enterprises to fast-paced startups. Whether you’re a business traveller yourself, a PA booking trips on behalf of others, or a director juggling it all, this is your complete guide.
Defining Business Travel
Business travel refers to any journey taken for work purposes, rather than for leisure. This includes domestic and international trips, whether for a single day or over an extended period. Business travel can be a one-off meeting or event, a regular commute to an international office, or part of an ongoing global expansion effort.
A business traveller is anyone who travels on behalf of their employer. This could include virtually anyone, from executives, consultants, engineers, performers, or even athletes. Essentially, anyone travelling as part of their professional responsibilities.
Common Purposes of Corporate Travel
Organisations across virtually every sector engage in business travel. Some of the most common purposes include:
- Attending global events, exhibitions, and trade shows. Especially in industries like fashion, tech, or manufacturing.
- Client or supplier meetings. Essential when dealing with overseas partners or negotiating high-value contracts.
- Site visits and inspections. Common in construction, mining, manufacturing, property development, logistics, and infrastructure.
- Training and development. Particularly in larger organisations with international teams.
- Sales and networking opportunities. Face-to-face interactions still carry weight in closing deals.
- Industry-specific travel, such as musicians touring internationally, athletes competing globally or investors scouting for opportunities in emerging markets.
Who Manages Business Travel?
The way corporate travel is booked and managed can vary significantly depending on the size and structure of the company.
In Large Organisations:
Larger companies often have:
- In-house travel teams or booking specialists
- HR or operations departments overseeing travel logistics
- Corporate travel policies in place to streamline and regulate arrangements
In SMEs:
In small and medium-sized businesses, the responsibility for booking travel frequently falls to office managers, executive or personal assistants. These professionals are often the glue that holds operations together, juggling diaries, managing meetings, communications and coordinating logistics. Their role is incredibly diverse, and when it includes booking travel for multiple business travellers, the process can quickly become complex and time-consuming.
In Start-ups:
In very lean teams, such as start-ups, travel is often arranged directly by the business traveller themselves. Imagine being a busy founder scaling a business while trying to book your own multi-leg international trip – flights, hotels, visa requirements, transfer arrangements – all while preparing for a pitch or securing funding. It’s not only time-consuming but can be stressful and inefficient.
Need practical tips for managing business travel more efficiently? Don’t miss John’s Tips for Assistants Managing Business Travel – a must-read for anyone supporting senior staff on the move.
Why Companies Implement a Business Travel Policy
Many organisations adopt a business travel policy to:
- Provide clarity on booking procedures and preferred suppliers
- Ensure employee safety and duty of care
- Control costs and eliminate unnecessary or excessive spending
- Define reimbursement rules and travel allowances
- Improve visibility and reporting across business trips
A clear policy also helps streamline approvals and reduces the administrative burden on both travellers and finance teams.
The Rise of ‘Bleisure’ Travel
In recent years, there’s been a growing trend towards bleisure, the blend of leisure and business travel. With remote work becoming more common, many professionals are choosing to extend business trips to explore new cities, relax, or even bring family along.
This not only enhances employee well-being and satisfaction but also encourages productivity by reducing travel fatigue and maximising the value of a trip.
What’s Next?
Understanding what business travel is, and how it’s evolving, is just the beginning. To truly optimise travel within your organisation, it’s worth exploring:
Corporate Travel Solutions: Discover how businesses streamline bookings, reduce costs, and support staff on the move.
The Benefits of a Good Business Travel Agent: See how expert support can remove stress and add value to every trip.
