The survey also revealed that around half of budgets will remain stable and just 27% of managers will have less money to spend. Four in ten buyers will manage the same number of trips and only one quarter will make fewer bookings.
around half of budgets will remain stable and just 27% of managers will have less money to spend
Healthier budgets appear to have encouraged a healthier outlook generally, with over three quarters of the industry believing the UK will be out of recession by the end of the year and only 12% dreading that it will drag on beyond 2011.
But despite having more money in the coffers this year, buyers are being very careful spending it. As many as 81% admit they are being forced to adopt even stricter travel policies for 2010.
For instance, 44% of respondents will be booking lower class airline tickets, 22% lower quality accommodation and 46% plan to increase their use of video conferencing.
"The business travel industry has been through a very bumpy ride over the last 18 months, so these survey results are a much needed glimmer of optimism as we enter a new decade: a sign that things are back on track and we are heading in the right direction," said David Chapple, event director, Business Travel & Meetings Show.
