Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ambition Magazine

Shauna Burns Managing Director, Beyond Business Travel Columnist

Why Corporate Travel Is Much More Than Just a Cost

I n today’s business landscape, marked by economic uncertainty, sustainability demands, and intense competition, every pound or euro spent must deliver measurable value. It’s no surprise that corporate travel often comes under scrutiny when budgets tighten. Yet viewing travel purely as a cost overlooks its broader strategic importance. When managed effectively, it becomes a catalyst for growth, innovation, and connection, and the data supports this. A February 2025 survey by the Global Business Travel Association revealed that: • 48% of companies expect to take more business trips this year. • 57% anticipate increased travel spend compared to 2024. Meanwhile, Oxford Economics found that every £1 invested in business travel can generate up to £10 in revenue, provided the trip is purposeful and well planned. Accor’s research adds that in-person meetings can boost revenue by 36%, with nearly three-quarters of businesses saying they’re essential for closing deals. Beyond the numbers, travel fosters relationships, drives innovation, strengthens company culture, and supports employee wellbeing. At Beyond Business Travel, with offices in Belfast, Dublin and Derby, we help organisations turn travel into a strategic asset, not just another line on the expense sheet. Making Trips Work Harder Corporate travel is about much more than just booking flights and hotels. It’s about making sure every trip propels your business goals forward – whether that’s winning new clients, deepening

relationships, speeding up projects, or sparking new ideas. Our end-to-end management means we handle everything – efficiently, safely, and with your goals in mind. That way, your people can focus on what they do best, not on juggling logistics. Saving Money Without Sacrificing Impact Unmanaged travel spend can escalate quickly. Our data-driven dashboards track patterns, monitor compliance, and identify long-term savings opportunities, helping businesses reinvest in what matters most. Keeping It Green In our current environmentally conscious world, sustainability is a must. Business travel is often a large proportion of a company’s carbon footprint, and that’s why we’ve built emissions tracking into our tools. That means you can measure, manage, and hit your carbon reduction targets without slowing down your business’ momentum. Real-Life Wins We recently helped one of our manufacturing clients to restructure its European travel so teams could meet multiple suppliers and partners in one trip rather than making several separate journeys resulting in lower costs, reduced emissions, and freed up valuable time for productive work – not airport queues. Supporting People, Not Just Processes The rise of ‘bleisure’ – blending business travel with leisure or remote work – is reshaping employee expectations. Managed within company policy, it enhances morale, retention, and productivity. Our booking tools ensure these arrangements remain compliant and safe, while offering greater flexibility. Travel as a Growth Strategy When approached strategically, corporate travel is an investment in

growth. It strengthens brand presence, energises teams, accelerates deal making, and builds lasting relationships. At Beyond Business Travel, we ensure every trip delivers – whether it’s clinching a deal in Dubai, brainstorming in Chicago, or building partnerships across Europe. Our expert team and advanced technology empower organisations to embrace travel as a growth strategy – driving performance, expanding market reach, and building resilient global networks for the future. “Corporate travel is about much more than just booking flights and hotels. It’s about making sure every trip propels your business goals forward – whether that’s winning new clients, deepening

relationships, speeding up projects, or sparking new ideas.”

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