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Business travel predicted to grow in 2012

Businessman with Hotel Room Service

According to a Deloitte survey, more professionals plan to travel for business in 2012 than they did this year. About 85 percent of business travelers surveyed expect to take as many or more trips within the next year.

Of these respondents, Millennials and Generation X travelers anticipate more travel than older travelers. About 27 percent of those expecting to travel more in 2012 were between 18 and 44, while only 16 percent were 45 and older.

“Corporate travel plays a key role in driving growth for the travel industry as a whole,” said Adam Weissenberg, vice chairman of Deloitte LLP, a consulting firm for the global travel, hospitality and leisure sector. “While it’s important for hotels to focus on the burgeoning number of young business travelers, finding a middle ground to retain brand loyalty among Generation X and Y, and boosting brand loyalty among the potentially more discerning baby boomers, will likely be a challenge for hotels in 2012.”

The survey also found that two-thirds of respondents often work in their hotel rooms, but that younger business travelers prefer working in common areas, such as business lounges or lobbies. About 36 percent of 18-year-olds to 44-year-olds often work in these common areas, compared to 17 percent of those 45 and older.

Hotel amenities are still important to corporate travelers. Just over 60 percent expect more complimentary amenities and services as hotel prices have increased. Free hotel Wi-Fi was ranked very important to 77 percent of respondents.

The survey polled 1,000 business travelers in September 2011. For more information, visit www.deloitte.com.