Economy, Security Put Damper On Business Travel, Survey Says

Compiled ByDeborah Austin Beefed-up security may prove indispensable in reviving post-Sept. 11 business travel -- but finances also play a crucial role, suggests the most recent National Business Travel Assn. (NBTA) survey of corporate travel managers. While 46% name security as the deciding factor in potentially lifting current travel restrictions, 30% cite their company's economic condition. Most travel managers in the West see such economic status as the basis for lifting travel restrictions; most in the East cite security. And while 88% rate government management of security processes "extremely" or "very" important, managers also pinpoint elimination of Saturday night stay rules (75%) and 21-day Advance Purchase restrictions (70%) and discount airfare availability (69%). Seventy percent anticipate business travel recovery within the next three to six months; 12%, in nine months; and 18%, in 10 months or longer. NBTA, Alexandria, Va., represents 2,400-plus corporate travel managers and travel service providers, representing more than 70% of expenditures within the industry.