Press Release

According to the results of a survey conducted by the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) the Canadian business travel industry is set to experience a stable year in 2010. Sixty-three percent of the respondents (44 companies representing an aggregate $400 million in annual travel expenditures) indicated they expected to spend either the same or more on business travel in 2010.

The federal government's announcement that full-body scanners will be introduced at major Canadian airports is not likely to dampen optimism in the business travel industry.  A recent poll, conducted by Angus Reid, suggests that the majority of Canadians support the airport use of full-body, three-dimensional scanners to detect hidden weapons or explosives.  Political wrangling and new rules for travelers will not likely deter planned business travel or reduce the need to meet face to face. 

The results from the third annual Canadian Business Travel Outlook survey conducted in collaboration with the Conference Board of Canada represent an improvement over the dramatic business travel reductions implemented last year.  “While more than a third of travel managers are looking to make substantial reductions in travel spending for 2010,” stated ACTE’s Canadian Board Representative, Annemarie Reininger, Director, BottomLine Group, “It’s clear that the majority are positioning their companies to take advantage of new opportunities as the economy recovers.”  

The survey indicated that the two main reasons companies will reduce travel are the economy and the rise of electronic travel alternatives.  More than half (56 per cent) of survey respondents said they will increase their use of electronic travel alternatives such as video conferencing.   With most travel managers now exerting influence over many meeting and event activities, electronic travel and meeting alternatives are gaining momentum.   

As travel managers seek to uncover further savings and to leave no stone unturned, cumbersome day to day processes are being streamlined.  ACTE Canada will be hosting an education forum in Toronto on March 9th which will highlight the principles of Lean Six Sigma as one strategy to improve business processes and improve quality.

The complete survey is located in ACTE Connect – ACTE’s online library of research and educational documents.

ABOUT ACTE:  

The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) represents the global business travel industry through its international advocacy efforts, executive level educational programs, and independent industry research. ACTE's membership consists of senior travel industry executives from 82 countries representing the €463 billion business travel industry. Our members serve more than 12 million business travelers worldwide. With the support of sponsors from every major segment of the business travel industry, ACTE develops and delivers educational programs in key business centers throughout the world. ACTE has representation in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and the United States. For more information on ACTE, please go to www.acte.org. 

For more information, contact:

Jack Riepe

Director, Global Communications

Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE)

P: 610-719-8396 (US)

M: 610-256-0124 (US)

E: [email protected]