Like
it or not, corporate travellers are increasingly turning to sharing economy
sites when they look for somewhere to stay on business. The big question for
2015 is how travel managers should deal with this relatively new phenomenon in
the lodging market.
Our
annual research of almost 300 buyers showed that it’s still early days when it
comes to adoption of sharing economy providers in corporate travel. One quarter
– 26 per cent – of buyers believe sharing economy suppliers are a threat to
their travel programme. Exactly the same number view them as a benefit. Perhaps
more interestingly, almost half (48 per cent) remain undecided.
All
of this explains why 91 per cent of buyers don’t already include sharing
economy providers in their travel programme, though – thanks to the
complexities of driving compliance – this doesn’t mean that 91 per cent of
travellers are not using their services.
For
example, one fifth of buyers don’t officially condone the use of sharing
economy suppliers, but there is no ban on their travellers booking them
independently. This figure matches the number of travellers who buyers believe
are already doing this. Somewhat worryingly, though, 20 per cent of buyers
don’t know whether travellers book sharing economy providers or not.
Interestingly,
one in eight buyers - 12 per cent - plan to incorporate these suppliers in an
official capacity ‘in the next three years’, which shows they are playing a ‘wait
and see’ game, perhaps hoping for a little more clarity regarding the impact
using the sharing economy has on their duty of care responsibility and other
legislative issues.
The
full statistics are below:
Do you think
‘sharing economy’ providers such as Uber and Airbnb offer a benefit or threat
to your travel programme?
|
|
|
A. Benefit
|
|
26
|
B. Threat
|
|
26
|
C. Undecided
|
|
48
|
|
|
|
Do you include
suppliers from the sharing economy in your travel programme?
|
|
|
Yes
|
|
8
|
No
|
|
48
|
No but travellers
are allowed to book them independently
|
|
19
|
No but plan to in
the next three years
|
|
12
|
No and don't plan
to
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
Are your travellers
booking stays through "sharing economy", or private short-term rental
listing platforms? Yes/no/don't know.
|
|
|
Yes
|
|
20
|
No
|
|
60
|
Don’t know
|
|
20
|
It’s
an interesting time for the sharing economy as the market starts to mature and
users become familiar with using these services, more niche and specialist
offerings are appearing such as Veeve, Jethunter and Magicevent, all of whom
are exhibiting at the Business Travel Show next month. Buyers attending the
show will also be able to hear from suppliers and buyers in our free panel
session on Wednesday 24 February: Sharing
economy – putting its houses in order?
This post was written by David Chapple, Director, Business Travel Show. The Business Travel Show takes place on 24-25
February, Olympia Grand, London, and is attended by 250 exhibitors and 7,500
business travel professionals. Register for a free visitor pass at www.businesstravelshow.com.
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