Top 5 tips to influence business traveller well-being
Business traveller well-being is an important consideration for travel programs, ensuring you have happy, healthy and productive employees while on the move.
This blog will explore 5 tips, offering insights for travel program managers and travel bookers to enhance business travellers’ well-being.
- Direct flights
- Airline seat upgrades
- Hotel upgrades
- Location of accommodation
- Travelling during working hours
1. Why do direct flights improve business travellers’ well-being?
The biggest well-being benefit to booking direct flights for business travellers is the reduced travel time and the eliminated stress associated with layovers.
This can lead to improved productivity and a more relaxed travel experience. In cases where direct flights might be more expensive than indirect, the overall benefits to employee satisfaction and efficiency can significantly outweigh the costs.
Where cost savings are a key focus for travel programs, it is the “unseen costs” of additional travel time and expenses incurred in transit that must be considered; and they don’t always amount to a dollar value. The costs can be reduced productivity, fatigue, and stress, but also the cost of additional meals, transfers and even accommodation in some cases.
2. How can seat upgrades improve traveller comfort without increasing costs?
Upgrades do not always have to mean travelling in a premium class cabin. Even small upgrades, like extra legroom, can make a significant difference to the comfort of a traveller with minimal impact on the travel budget.
For example, the cost of an extra legroom seat on a Qantas domestic service can start from approximately AUD40 and for an international service from AUD90. United Airlines offers Economy Plus seats which provide extra legroom and a seat in front of the Economy sections from as little as an extra USD29 per flight. Similarly, Singapore Airlines offers extra legroom seats from USD25 extra and features a wider seat pitch for better traveller comfort.
Choosing to book affordable upgrades might cost your business considerably less than the loss of productivity, absenteeism or burnout.
3. How does hotel quality impact business traveller productivity and well-being?
Hotels are integral for rest after a busy day of meetings. Like seat upgrades, there are several ways your employees’ stay can be “upgraded” to ensure they experience the comfort required to be most productive while away for business.
Consider the purpose of travel. Providing spacious accommodations such as apartments, especially for extended stays, can greatly enhance comfort and rest and provide the additional benefits of home-away-from-home services to accommodate those who would prefer to cook a fresh meal and be able to launder their clothing.
Consider the variation in price between room types. Is booking a lead-in room type worth the saving when the next room type may come with more space, extended in-room amenities or may be located on a higher floor away from road noise or foot traffic?
And if you’ve recently added brand-new hotels to your travel program, why not encourage your travelling employees to experience the new properties? Staying at new hotels may boost morale and provide your team with valuable insights and to steer your future hotel selections.
4. Why does hotel location matter for traveller well-being and efficiency?
Do you consider the location of hotels as part of your travel program?
Conveniently located hotels can reduce travel time and associated stress for business travellers, leading to improved overall satisfaction. Proximity to meeting venues, the local office, or airports can also save on transport costs for the business. If close enough, it also allows travellers to walk between locations, promoting movement and fresh air during a busy business trip. Hotel rate premiums for more centrally located properties are often offset by the savings of on-ground transport, plus the reduction of carbon emissions and the increased convenience for travellers.
5. How does travelling during work hours reduce burnout and fatigue?
Where possible, scheduling travel within work hours may reduce fatigue and improve work-life balance, limiting extended work hours and providing the traveller with more time at home.
In circumstances where schedules require travellers to depart on a Sunday night for an early Monday start, or arrive home on a Saturday morning, companies may consider extending time in lieu for travel outside regular business hours to boost employee satisfaction. This time can then be used to rejuvenate and catch up on lost hours with loved ones at home.
When travellers have meetings first thing in the morning, rather than booking a 6am flight, meaning their day could start at 4am or earlier, consider flexibility in the travel policy to allow travel the afternoon prior within business hours coupled with an overnight stay close to their meeting location. While the cost of accommodation may be viewed as an additional expense, consider the cost benefits of a well-rested employee.
An investment in business traveller well-being is an investment in your business
By understanding and incorporating these five key factors into the travel policy, Travel Program Managers and travel bookers can significantly enhance the well-being of their travelling employees. Happy employees can result in healthier, more engaged workers in the office, and more productive business travellers on the road, ultimately delivering better results for your business.
Engage with CTM to help tailor your travel policy and supplier preferences to include these well-being-focused upgrades, ensuring a more satisfied and productive workforce. Partner with CTM today and take the first step towards a healthier, happier, and more efficient travel experience for your team.
Are you ready to support the well-being of your business travellers?
CTM is ready to assist you!
What is business traveller well-being?
Business traveller well-being refers to how travel decisions such as flight schedules, seating, accommodation, and policy flexibility affect an employee’s health, comfort, productivity, and overall experience while travelling for work.
Why should companies prioritise traveller well-being in their travel policy?
Prioritising well-being helps reduce fatigue, burnout, and lost productivity. Well-supported travellers are more engaged, perform better on the road, and return to work healthier and more motivated.
Do direct flights really make a difference to traveller productivity?
Yes. Direct flights reduce time in transit, limit stress from delays or missed connections, and help travellers arrive more rested and focused, often outweighing marginal cost differences.
Are seat upgrades worth the investment for business travel?
Small upgrades, such as extra legroom seats, can significantly improve comfort and reduce fatigue at a relatively low cost compared to the productivity loss associated with uncomfortable travel.
How does hotel choice impact traveller well-being?
Hotels play a critical role in rest and recovery. Factors such as room size, noise levels, amenities, and suitability for trip length all influence sleep quality and traveller performance.
Why is hotel location important for business travellers?
Centrally located hotels reduce commute times, lower transport costs, and can support healthier routines such as walking between meetings, contributing to both wellbeing and efficiency.
Should business travel occur during working hours?
Where possible, travelling during standard work hours helps protect work-life balance, reduces fatigue, and supports long-term employee well-being without significantly increasing costs.
How can a travel management company support traveller well-being?
A TMC can help align travel policies, supplier selection, and booking tools to prioritise comfort, efficiency, and flexibility, balancing cost control with employee well-being.
