Business Travel Stress

From flight cancellations to lost luggage, it’s pretty much a given. However, new findings released from Booking.com reveal that business travelers experience a higher level of travel stress due to the gamut of anxiety-inducing scenarios that leave them worried and anxious. Mix in unforeseen circumstances within the global climate, and the stress level increases even more. The reality, though, is that business travelers still have to travel.

The research conducted by Booking.com, the global leader in connecting business travelers with the widest choice of unique places to stay, surveyed over 4,500 business travelers across eight countries. Findings highlight that although a third of business travelers generally feel positive about traveling for business (39%), the biggest stressors for those traveling internationally for business stem from the logistics of their travel, with a staggering 93% feeling stressed at some point on their journey.

A combination of pre-travel planning, booking accommodations, arranging transport, managing expenses and receipts, and navigating the destination, combined with a lack of sleep, has the potential to leave business travelers weary and strained. That’s all before the important meetings and actual work have even begun.

Airports are the biggest source of angst for American business travelers. Among their least favorite things about international business travel, delays and cancellations topped the list, with half (47%) of business travelers complaining about this. One in three (32%) say missing their flight is their biggest concern. As would be expected, jet lag (42%) and airport security queues (26%) are also disliked.

Ripsy Bandourian, Director of Product Development, Booking.com for Business comments: «While business travel has so many positives, including the opportunity to experience new cultures, broaden horizons and the chance to meet colleagues face-to-face, the logistics of business travel can get in the way. Airport queues and delays, the accommodation at your destination lacking home comforts and lack of personal time can add a layer of unnecessary stress. That’s why we launched Booking.com for Business, with seamless accommodation booking access and valuable, must-have information for business travelers such as where best to find meeting facilities, free Wi-Fi and top-class breakfasts. These capabilities can help alleviate some of the stresses and strains so the trip can be one to remember, for the right reasons.»