Q&A with Katarzyna Fabianska, Travelport’s Eastern European Business Development Manager – Corporate Direct.
In recent years everyone has been talking about millennial travelers and their influence on the travel industry. This group, also called Generation Y and now aged between 18 and 34, will soon become the largest group of travel customers.
Q: What can we say about millennials’ behaviour in the work place?
A: Millennial-employees are highly demanding. They expect their employers to offer opportunities for personal development, a clear career path, stimulating challenges and a work-life balance. They have more clearly defined ambitions than previous generations and aim high when it comes to their salary[1]. However, they are flexible, willing to relocate and not afraid of change…which is a huge advantage. Corporate trips also need to be “developmental” in nature and millennials certainly fly more for conferences, training, recruiting and other one-off reasons related to career development. [2]
Q: How can companies reflect these demands in their travel policies? What matters for millennial business travelers?
A: Companies definitely need to get their travel policies ready for new challenges. Because millennials are so digitally-savvy and constantly connected, companies not only need to look for the right content but also the right tools to match their expectations. Solutions need to give users easy access on the go, offer a wide range of content from travel suppliers, including independent and boutique hotels. Travel policies need to look into covering current needs and trends such as: personalisation or the mixing of business and leisure travel. Employers also need to understand that for millennials, travelling for business not only allows them to develop their careers but also to see the world. Those who understand this nuance can tweak or change current travel policies and have a better chance of retaining these youthful employees.
Q: How do Millennials book their travel?
A: In 2014, the global travel and tourism industry saw an increase of 150 million bookings made online and 65% of same day hotel reservations were made via a smartphone[3]. This increase has a strong correlation with the high usage of smartphone and tablets by millennials who not only just look, but also book and pay “on the go”. Tools which allow millennials to receive live updates on their journey and also search, book or pay for them will do well.
Q: How does Travelport help companies to attract millennial travelers?
A: The key to success is to provide millenials who travel on business with the solutions that support cost optimisation, are secure and allow them to manage complex services. At Travelport we recognise those needs and are working to redefine the corporate journey. We are focussing on tools which are accessible 24/7 from any device as well as offering business travelers a more personalised and tailored experience. Last year, Travelport invested further in Locomote, a platform to empower corporations in the seamless management of their travel. It also widened its mobile capabilities through the acquisition of MTT, the leading mobile travel that allows airlines, hotels, corporate travel management companies and travel agencies to engage with their customers through sophisticated, tailored mobile services including apps, mobile web and intelligent mobile messaging.
[1] Warsaw School of Economics, Generation X, Y on the labour market, link
[2] Boston Consulting Group (BCG) report highlight
[3] eMarketer Survey, September 2014