Got to admit it’s getting better, a little better all the time! Yes folks, with all the unfortunate news regarding cost cutting, down sizing, and belt tightening around the business world over the last few years its always nice to report on the positive.
Last week, MSNBC published this article, reporting that business travel budgets for 2012 are expected to increase nationally. Based on the Global Business Travel Associations Quarterly Outlook, spending on business travel is looking to increase by as much as 4.6 percent compared to 2011.
Despite the fact that these numbers are due in part to increases in travel costs, Michael McCormick, COO of the GBTA said:
“Business travelers are a big driver of the economy… The amount of revenue dollars and tax dollars that are created by business travelers being out there is a great way to measure the health of the economy.”
Nurture the Young
One interesting statistic included in the report speaks to a new generation of travel-savvy Gen X & Y employee’s.
“While only 16 percent of respondents ages 45 and older are planning more trips this year, 27 percent of those between 18 and 44 expect to travel for work.”
The emergence of this new workforce majority is being spurred on by a dynamic travel industry “as hotels renovate formal lobbies into friendlier, social venues; airlines offer more online and mobile services; and more “lifestyle” restaurants offer a middle ground between fast-food and waiter service.”
There’s Something in the Air
“What we’re seeing now is that 2012 is looking better than 2011…Clearly, it’s a good sign.”
That just about sums it up. We’ve reported previously on growth in the corporate housing industry and on how the rise of furnished apartments are ideal for business travelers, and this encouraging outlook reported by MSNBC is further proof that *fingers crossed* things are getting better, a little better all the time!
Image: NoGoodforme