More than cutting costs: Travel managers now consider employee comfort

Corporate managers used to focus on saving money when it came to employee travel. But now, given the nature of travel — crowded planes, tighter seats, security hassles — corporate managers are considering employee comfort as part of the deal. A plane trip that includes layovers might save money, said Andrew Sheivachman, business travel editor at Skift. “But if that person emerges from the plane too tired to work, or ends up burned out… it’s not worth the trade-off.” Cost continued to be the most important factor in airline contracts, according to a 2016 research report. But more than half of respondents expected traveller comfort to become more important in future agreements with airlines. “Experiences matter,” Sheivachman said. “You’re not just looking at the dollars, you’re empowering your employees to do a good job.” <br/>