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Global travel prices are predicted to continue to increase in the remaining months of 2022 and throughout 2023, according to the 2023 Global Business Travel Forecast, published recently by CWT, the B2B4E travel management platform, and the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). Rising fuel prices, labor shortages, and inflationary pressures in raw material costs are the primary drivers of the expected price growth, according to the report, which used anonymized data generated by CWT and GBTA, with publicly available industry information, and econometric and statistical modeling developed by the Avrio Institute.
“What we are seeing now are multiple factors coming into play when corporate travel buyers and procurement officers model their travel programs. This eighth joint annual forecast marries statistical travel data and trend analysis with macroeconomic influences to provide a cornerstone reference point for their corporate business travel planning ahead,” said GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang.
Ground Transportation
Global car rental prices fell 2.5 percent in 2020 from 2019, before rising 5.1 percent in 2021. Prices are expected to increase 7.3 percent in 2022, hitting new highs, and rise a further 6.8 percent in 2023.
The vehicle industry remains capacity constrained and rental agencies that reduced fleet sizes in the wake of the pandemic have not yet fully recovered—due in part to component shortages and supply chain disruptions that have reduced global auto production.
Rental agencies have reverted to buying used vehicles to increase fleet sizes and are keeping their vehicles longer. Some agencies are also buying vehicles from automakers outside of their historically supported brands.
Skyrocketing prices, vehicle shortages, and the need for visibility into carbon emissions from door-to-door are driving corporate travel managers to factor ground transport into full trip planning from the beginning. This is especially true when factoring in the inclusion of electric vehicles, and while widespread adoption may still be a few years away, personal preference should not be underrated.
Meetings and Events
“Demand for business travel and meetings is back with a vengeance, of that there is absolutely no doubt,” said CWT CEO Patrick Andersen. “Labor shortages across the travel and hospitality industry, rising raw material prices, and greater awareness for responsible travel are all having an impact on services, but predicted pricing is, on the whole, on par with 2019.”
Prices have increased in all regions across most categories of spend, fueled by pent-up demand, a desire to build company culture, and an uncertain economic outlook. The cost-per-attendee for meetings and events in 2022 is expected to be around 25 percent higher than in 2019, and it’s forecast to rise a further 7 percent in 2023.
Alongside pent-up demand, corporate events are now competing with many other types of events that were cancelled in 2020. And, with many companies having given up office space during the pandemic in favor of remote working, they are now booking meeting spaces when staff gather in person, further fueling demand.
Shorter lead times for events, varying from one to three months versus six to 12 months, are also contributing to this perfect storm, perhaps underscored by corporate concerns that the situation they face today could change very rapidly. This is particularly noticeable within Asia Pacific, which has been slower than other regions to re-open post-pandemic, with ongoing restrictions in China prompting clients to make sure their events can go ahead, and as quickly as possible.
Air
Business travel airfares fell more than 12 percent in 2020 from 2019 followed by an additional 26 percent decline in 2021. Economy ticket prices fell more than 24 percent from 2019 to 2021, while premium tickets fell 33 percent. Prices are expected to rise 48.5 percent in 2022, but even with this steep price increase, prices are expected to remain below pre-pandemic levels until 2023. Following an increase of 48.5 percent in 2022, prices are expected to rise 8.4 percent in 2023.
Rising demand and continued price rises on jet fuel, which have seen prices more than double in some markets to over $160/barrel according to S&P Global, are putting upward pressure on ticket prices.
Premium class tickets comprised over 7 percent of all tickets purchased in 2019. The share of premium class tickets fell to 6.5 percent in 2020 and to 4.5 percent in 2021 but have started to rise in 2022. Through the first half of the year, premium tickets made up 6.2 percent of all tickets purchased. A rising share of premium class tickets will result in higher average fares as average ticket price comprises economy and premium.
International and cross border bookings are recovering across most regions which will result in a higher share of international ticket bookings and a corresponding higher average ticket price despite uncertainties caused by the war in Ukraine. Following two years of minimal to no expenditure, business travelers are likely to be willing to spend more on tickets, especially as availability reduces due to labor shortages. This upward trend is largely due to widespread vaccine rollouts and border re-openings.
You can read the report online here.
Visit gbta.org for more information.
[08.16.22]
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Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued updated guidance regarding COVID exposure and illness for general settings. Citing the number of tools and treatments available, as well as a better understanding of transmissibility and high population levels of vaccination/previous exposure to the virus, the CDC is relaxing its quarantine procedures in certain situations. These guidelines are current as of 8/11/2022.
Vaccines: The CDC continues to recommend that everyone is up to date with vaccination to lower risk of death, hospitalization, and severe illness.
Exposed: Wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and get tested on day 5 instead of quarantining.
Symptoms: Isolate from others if you are sick and suspect that you have COVID but do not yet have test results.
Positive Test: Regardless of vaccination status, stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home. You are likely most infectious during these first 5 days. Wear a high-quality mask when you must be around others at home and in public.
- If after 5 days you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication, and your symptoms are improving, or you never had symptoms, you may end isolation after day 5.
- Regardless of when you end isolation, avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID until at least day 11.
- Wear a high-quality mask through day 10.
- If COVID symptoms worsen or return, restart your isolation at day 0. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have questions about your symptoms or when to end isolation.
Illness Severity: If you had moderate illness (shortness of breath or had difficulty breathing) or severe illness (hospitalization) due to COVID or you have a weakened immune system, isolate through day 10. If you had severe illness or have a weakened immune system, consult your doctor before ending isolation. Ending isolation without a viral test may not be an option for you. If you are unsure if your symptoms are moderate or severe or if you have a weakened immune system, talk to a healthcare provider for further guidance.
The full updated guidelines are available here.
[08.16.22]
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- Category: Industry News
L to R: CD/NLA Show pass winner Alicia Hayes of American Classic Limousine, CD President Chris Weiss, and CD half-page ad winner Lynda Saitta of Momentum Drives 
L to R: Nick Boccio of Buffalo Limousine, Chris Weiss of Chauffeur Driven, and Peter Simmons and Carey Callahan of A2B Transportation
One, two, three, FORE! On August 9, golfers and guests came from all over the country for a day of friendly competition and industry togetherness for the New England Livery Association (NELA) annual golf tournament/dinner at Marlborough Country Club in Marlborough, Mass. Among the attendees was CD President Chris Weiss, as Chauffeur Driven served as the event’s dinner sponsor.
More than 60 golfers and guests from around the country were in attendance, marking a successful return of the event after a two-year break. Dozens of sponsors and volunteers stepped up to make sure the event ran without a hitch, including Diamond Sponsor Dolphin Transportation Specialists. Special recognition goes to the NELA Golf Committee: Tina Benson of L.A. Limousine Service, Brittni Bogar of All Points Limousine, Joe Cardillo of AOT Global, Steve Crispo of Research Underwriters, Alicia Hayes of American Classic Limousine, Terry Murtaugh of United Private Car, Joe Puleo of Dav El/BostonCoach, and NELA Executive Director Rick Szilagyi of Lexian Management.
Tournament Third Place winners (L to R): Chris Weiss of Chauffeur Driven, Peter Simmons of A2B Transportation, and Nick Boccio of Buffalo Limousine 
The team from American Classic Limousine
Once the golf tournament was over and everyone was sitting down to the evening’s lavish dinner, the winning foursomes were announced, along with individual achievement prizes.
• First Place: L.A. Limousine (Justin Benson, Colin Pratt, Brian Nowak, and Nick Nowak)
• Second Place: Accent Limousine (Rick Nashawaty, Tony Petone, Nick Valorie, and Mike Prefontaine)
• Third Place: Chris Weiss of Chauffeur Driven, Nick Boccio of Buffalo Limousine, and Peter Simmons and Carey Callahan of A2B Transportation
• Shortest Drive: Peggy and Peter Allen of Adventure Limousine
• Longest Drive (Women): Jackie Allen of Adventure Limousine
• Longest Drive (Men): Nick Nowak of L.A. Limousine
• Closest to the Pin: Nick Martunas of All Points Limousine
• Orange Ball: Tom Arrighi of A&A Metro
NELA Executive Director Rick Szilagyi of Lexian Management 
L.A. Limousine took First Place for the third consecutive tournament
The winning streak continued when the day’s haul of prizes was raffled off, which included Alicia Hayes of American Classic Limousine winning a pass to the CD/NLA Show in National Harbor this November 13-16, as well as Lynda Saitta of Momentum Drives winning a half-page ad in a future issue of CD.
Visit nelivery.org for more information.
[08.16.22]