Global

CWT Takes Steps to Tackle Hidden Costs of Travel Through Global Stress Survey

AMSTERDAM, October 9, 2012 – Carlson Wagonlit Travel’s (CWT) latest research shows that lost luggage and no internet connection present the greatest areas of stress for business travelers.

Based on the responses of 6,000 business travelers from nine global companies, CWT found that there are three main categories of stress: lost time, surprises (an unforeseen event such as lost or delayed baggage) and routine breakers (inability to maintain daily habits).

Survey-takers were asked to rate 33 stress factors that occur at different stages of a journey (from booking through to transportation, hotel stay and expense report) according to the level of stress generated.

The illustration on the left gives the overall ranking of stress triggers (click to open a larger version).   The study found that business travelers were most stressed by losing time during their journey, with the highest triggers of stress being lost or delayed luggage, poor internet connection, flying economy on a long-haul flight and flight delays.  The study also highlights how different segments of business travelers perceive travel stress:

• Travel stress increases with age and travel frequency.
• Women report higher stress levels than men.
• When faced with a language they do not know, business travelers from North America indicate greater stress levels than travelers from other regions.
• Senior executives report higher stress levels than travelers at other levels of an organization.
  

“We will be using the results of the survey to assess the impact of travel-related stress on an organization’s productivity levels. By quantifying that stress and its cost, we aim to help companies make smarter travel policy decisions. For instance, adaptive policies that reflect travel frequency or traveler demographics could improve traveler well-being as well as providing benefits to an organization,” commented, Vincent Lebunetel, head of CWT Solutions Group for Europe, Middle East and Africa.

This survey is the first step in the development of CWT's "Travel Stress Index". Read the full report here.

For more information on CWT Solutions Group, please visit our website at: www.cwt-solutions-group.com/

CWT Solutions Group is the global consulting arm of Carlson Wagonlit Travel, offering a wide range of sourcing and travel spend optimization services to customers of all sizes and industry types. CWT Solutions Group gives clients access to proven global travel procurement and independent consulting expertise, unparalleled benchmarking capabilities and key innovations to drive substantial savings and program improvements. CWT Solutions Group sources $7 billion travel spend for clients and manages 91,000 RFPs each year.


About Carlson Wagonlit Travel
CWT is a global leader specialized in managing business travel and meetings and events. CWT serves companies, government institutions and non-governmental organizations of all sizes in more than 150 countries and territories. By leveraging both the expertise of its people and leading-edge technology, CWT helps clients derive the greatest value from their travel program in terms of savings, service, security and sustainability. The company is also committed to providing best-in-class service and assistance to travelers. CWT services and solutions comprise Traveler & Transaction Services, Program Optimization, Safety & Security, Meetings & Events and Energy Services. In 2011, sales volume for wholly owned operations and joint ventures totaled US$28.0 billion. As part of its commitment to responsible business, CWT is a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact Ten Principles. For more information about CWT, please visit our global website at www.carlsonwagonlit.com. Follow us on twitter.com/carlsonwagonlit.

Contact us for an interview with Vincent Lebunetel to learn more about the Travel Stress Index.

Media Contacts
Natasha Harvey
CWT Global
+ 33 1 41 33 62 34 (office)
+ 33 6 74 94 23 81 (mobile)
nharvey@carlsonwagonlit.com

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