Business travel still suffering from economic crisis: VDR survey

Many companies in Germany have yet to experience the effects of the current boom on the international stock markets, and what experts are predicting as a foreseeable end to the global financial crisis. Few companies anticipate the business travel sector to recover in the coming months. By contrast, video conference organisers have benefited significantly from the global economic and financial crisis.

According to the latest survey by Verband Deutsches Reisemanagement e.V. (VDR), 40 per cent of the companies polled are making increasing use of virtual conferences in order to reduce business trips. A further 12 per cent use this method of communicating for other reasons. “Video conferences are not the only popular trend. Efforts to save money have unleashed a real mobile communications boom.  ITB Berlin 2010 has responded with the launch of its Mobile Travel Services section. The global travel industry’s leading trade show with its specialist convention and informative stage shows provides a broad platform for the fast-growing market for modern methods of communication,”