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Picture a business traveller and your mind might still jump to a suited executive in a business class lounge en route to New York. But that image is outdated – the reality of most work trips today is very different.
According to the latest Business Travel Association (BTA) whitepaper, Beyond the Boardroom, business travel trends in the UK are rapidly changing. From who’s travelling to how they’re getting there and what they really need, the data paints a much more diverse and dynamic picture.
One key insight from the BTA’s research is that it’s skilled tradespeople and automotive professionals — not finance directors or C-suite execs — who travel most frequently for work.
Why? Think site visits, training, and project work — the kind of high-impact, hands-on work that keeps the country running. This type of travel is very different to your typical international business trip. It’s regional, fast-paced and usually logistically complex.
That’s why Inntel has developed specialist expertise supporting sectors like construction, manufacturing, facilities management, transport and logistics. We provide smart, scalable solutions including our workforce accommodation services and tailored support through our rail industry programme, which enables access to exclusive rates and booking options across the UK.
Interestingly, the BTA found 62% of all business travel in the UK is domestic. Yet despite trains being perceived as the most sustainable and productive mode of travel, cars and planes are still more widely used — especially outside of major city hubs.
At Inntel, we understand that sustainability and practicality need to go hand in hand. As a certified B Corp, we help clients reduce their travel-related carbon emissions through data-led strategy, sustainable solutions, and smarter planning.
The report also highlighted generational trends in business travel. Those aged 55+ travel most frequently. This group averaged five trips per month, with 78% of those being within the UK.
Gen Z tend to be the least frequent business travellers. But, they are most likely to go abroad (35% of their trips are international). According to the BTA, this generation is engaging in meaningful and purpose led trips, with 58% of Gen Z respondents specifically travelling for project-work, site visits or research and fieldwork.
This reflects a broader shift toward purpose-driven travel — and we’re fully aligned. Our ethos is to meet less, but meet better. That means considering whether a trip is absolutely necessary — and if it is, finding the best ways to maximise its value.
62%
of all business travel in the UK is domestic
Another critical insight from the BTA report is around accessibility. The figures revealed 38% of disabled professionals travel weekly, but only 13% say accessibility doesn’t impact their experience. That’s a huge gap the industry urgently needs to close.
We help our clients build inclusive travel policies and processes that ensure every traveller receives the right support. If you’re looking to develop a more inclusive approach to travel, meetings and events, our experts are here to help.
Business travellers don’t just want to book a train or hotel — they want to manage their entire trip, across all modes and services, in one place. In fact, 51% of travellers say they want an integrated platform to manage travel bookings, meetings and expenses.
That’s exactly what our LOGiC platform delivers. Whether you’re planning a one-off trip or managing multiple bookings for an entire team, we make it fast, flexible and intuitive. You can even book a meeting space out of hours at short notice in just a few clicks, thanks to our Instant Book meetings feature in LOGiC.
Plus, with 89% of professionals expecting their travel to either increase or remain the same, now is the time to streamline your travel strategy.
The latest business travel trends show it: today’s business traveller is just as likely to be heading to a training day in Doncaster or a site inspection in Aberdeen as flying to an international conference. And, they need travel support that reflects their reality.
At Inntel, we’re proud to support every type of business traveller — and to keep leading the way in smart, sustainable and inclusive travel solutions.
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