Most business travellers would prefer Government to invest in high-speed rail services than expand UK airports, according to a new business-travel manifesto released by the Guild of Travel Management Companies (GTMC).
Almost 70% of those polled said improving rail links was more important than air travel, while 66% would prefer to take the train rather than fly if it were faster. Another 55% said they would switch if the fare was cheaper. The survey also exploded the myth that the skies are full of first-class fliers – 50% of business travellers book economy class on scheduled airlines, and 20% choose low-cost carriers. Only 16% travel business or first class.
‘When asked what they want, business travellers turn out to be surprisingly pragmatic,’ says Ann Godfrey, chief executive of the GTMC. ‘They know that in the current economic climate, there’s no point in asking for a third runway at Heathrow. Instead, they want improved railway services so that they can travel as quickly, cheaply and greenly as possible, in that order.
They want better access to Wi-Fi, power points and work stations, both in airports and railway stations. Their ideal rail service would be like a business lounge in an airport.’