Business Travel Dashboard Quarter

Transcription

1 Business Travel Dashboard Quarter Insight Department VisitScotland March 215 1

2 Welcome In today s rapidly changing world, having an informed outlook is vital. The tourism and hospitality sectors are increasingly sensitive to consumer trends and economic conditions. The VisitScotland Insights Team combines consumer perspectives with industry knowledge to allow Scottish Tourism to meet the challenges of today s marketplace. Our quarterly Business Travel Dashboard is a snapshot of industry performance. It also provides a commentary on the drivers influencing consumers and business now and in the future. Please note that this paper represents business travel of all types including individual non-discretionary business travel which is not influenced by the work of the business tourism industry. It is not therefore a report specifically covering the MICE market (Meetings, Incentive, Conference & Exhibitions) or Business Tourism as targeted by VisitScotland s Business Events team. Insights Summary 1.4 million overnight domestic business trips were made to Scotland during the first three quarters of 214, marginally down on the same period in , international business trips were made to Scotland between January and September 214, a 27% increase on the previous year. New legislation by the Home Office to amend the visa system to make the UK more attractive to businesses is set to create a huge advantage in terms of business travel to the UK. British firms are paying an estimated 37 million per annum on keeping their business travellers connected to WIFI when abroad. TOP 5 Business Markets to Scotland (Q1-Q3 214) USA Germany Australia France Netherlands Trips ('s) Spend ( m) Average spend per trip ( ) Source: International Passenger Survey 2

3 % Change Year on-year % change year on year Business Travel Performance Domestic Overnight Business Travel & Tourism to Scotland (GB Residents) Q3 214 There were 518, overnight domestic business trips made to Scotland in the third quarter of 214, marginally up on the same quarter in 213 (2%).1.6 million nights were taken, 8% up on the same period in 213, while expenditure was down (7%). Figures were generally boosted with activity during August, which may relate to the number of events ongoing during this time, including the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Running Total (Jan-Sep) 214 There were 1.4 million overnight domestic business trips made to Scotland during the first three quarters of 214, marginally down on the same period in 213. Business trip nights decreased by 14%, while spend was also down (13%). Overnight business travellers stayed for an average of 2.6 nights, marginally down on the same period in 213, and spent 14% less per trip ( 231). However, spend per night increased 14% ( 1) indicating domestic business travellers are taking shorter trips, but spending more per night. This continues on from the cost-conscious trend for business travellers last quarter, but may also be influenced by the many events during 214. International Business Travel & Tourism to Scotland 25. Domestic Overnight Business Travel & Tourism Trips ('s) Night ('s) Spend ( m) Jan - Sep Jan - Sep % Change -1.4% -13.9% -12.7% International Business Travel & Tourism to Scotland Q , trips were made to Scotland by international business visitors during Quarter 3 of 214, a 6% increase on the same period in 213. Nights increased by 58% against the same quarter in 213, while spend reached 13 million, 11% up on Quarter International business travellers stayed for an average of 9.9 nights, and spent 895 per trip, spending 9 per night during Q Trips ('s) Night ('s) Spend ( m) Jan - Sep Jan - Sep % Change 27.3% 53.3% 5.% Running Total (Jan-Sep) 214 There were 354, international business trips to Scotland between January and September 214, a 27% increase on the previous year. Business nights increased by 53%, while spend reached 212 million, a 5% increase on the first three quarters in 213. Despite exchange rates favouring outbound travel from the UK, business travel has remained resilient, with an increase in both established and emerging markets during the first half of 214 in comparison to the same period last year, particularly from Scandanavia, USA, and mainland Europe. This is also reflected in the average spend per trip ( 6) and night ( 98), both down on the same period in 213. The average length of stay increased by 2% to 6.1 nights, indicating overseas business travellers are making money go further on their trip. 3

4 Spend ( m) Spend ( m) Business Tourism Performance Emerging Market Trends Q3 214 Emerging Markets Figures for Q3 214 indicate that visitors from China generated the highest levels of business trips by an emerging business tourism market with 22, trips, 37 million in expenditure, spending an average of 17 per trip. Visitors from India generated 13, business trips, 7.5 million in expenditure and spent an average of 587 per trip. Visitors from UAE generated 12, business trips, 8.7 million in expenditure and 734 on average per trip. Visitors from the UAE also stayed in Scotland for an average of 1.2 nights. Visitors from Singapore generated 11, business trips, second highest emerging market expenditure with 17.4 million, and an average of 161 per trip, staying for an average of 9.7 nights Average Spend Per Trip 4 6 Trips ('s) Average Spend Per Trip Trips ('s) Brazil Russia India China Singapore UAE International Market Trends Q1-Q3 214 Established Markets USA Germany France Australia Netherlands Norway Canada Spain Sweden Ireland Figures from the International Passenger Survey indicate that the top 1 overseas business markets account for 68% of the total spend ( 1,11 million) and trips (1.5 million) in Scotland for business purposes during the first three quarters of 214. Visitors from the USA have dominated the international business travel market, which can be attributed largely to The Ryder Cup, as well as other key events of 214. The USA generated the highest figures in terms of trips (359,), nights (37,), and average spend per trip ( 129) in terms of business-related trips to Scotland. Visitors from Australia spent the longest on average (1.8 nights) in Scotland out of the top markets during the first three quarters of 214, as well as the second-highest average trip expenditure ( 863). In short-haul terms, visitors from Germany generated the biggest number of trips (297,) over the first three quarters of 214, as well as the highest expenditure, with 148 million. Visitors from France generated the highest average of spend per trip ( 587), while visitors from Spain stayed the longest (eight nights). 4

5 Business Tourism Trends Trend Meetings Market Route Development Business Travel News Competitor Activity Business Travel & Tourism Trends Wider Market Trends Commentary The American Express Meetings and Events 215 Global Meetings Forecast has warned that meetings buyers should make the most of squeezed budgets next year as overall MICE is expected to decline. The study indicates that although overall meeting numbers are to grow by 1.2%, overall spend as well as individual budget and attendee numbers are expected to decrease during 215. UK budgets were set to decrease by.7% and overall meeting spend is predicted to fall by 1.1%, which is a sharp contrast to the 4.8% increase in meeting spend that was estimated for has started positively for Scotland s busiest airports, with Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen all increasing on the same period in 214. Glasgow had 485,685 passengers travel through its doors in January, an increase of 11.4% on last year, while Edinburgh achieved a 7.2% increase, which was largely a result of Ryanair s new three-times daily service to London Stansted and BA Cityflyer's London City service, now operating 12 times per day. Aberdeen did see a slight increase, but was impacted by adverse weather conditions. The UK government has confirmed the decision to devolve power to charge Air Passenger Duty (APD) to the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Government is now expected to reform and eventually abolish APD following plans made by the Scottish National Party. This is likely to increase passenger numbers to Scottish airports, with particular concern from airports in Northern England. British firms are paying an estimated 37 million per annum on keeping their business travellers connected to WIFI when abroad. Research conducted by Amba Hotels found that the average UK business traveller spends 16.3 on WIFI and roaming charges on each trip. A report by the GBTA Foundation has found that business tourism spending in the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain grew by 4.9% and it s expected to rake in over billion by the end of 214. The spending is expected to carry on the growth pattern into 215 where it s expected to grow at a rate of about 6.6%. Germany in particular is predicted to have significant growth, with business travel set to increase by 1.8% in 215. A study by CWT found that travel buyers will put greater emphasis on data and mobile technology to direct their travel programmes in 215. The top priority for buyers in 215 will be leveraging data to build predictive analyses and benchmarks. The study by CWT highlights that with better visibility, travel managers are able to steer their travel programmes towards their particular business objectives. Other insights for buyers include deploying a fare tracking and rebooking solution, promoting mobile apps to increase travel efficiency and leveraging big data to adapt the travel policy. New legislation by the Home Office to amend the visa system to make the UK more attractive to businesses is set to create a huge advantage in terms of business travel to the UK. The overhaul of the current system will see the number of visa types available to foreign travellers cut from 15 to four. The new visa options will include one that will allow business travellers to take a holiday alongside meetings for the first time, which would have required two separate visas in the past. The new legislation will come into effect in April of this year. Information Sources GBTS - Great Britain Tourism Survey IPS - International Passenger Survey SAOS - Scottish Accommodation Occupancy Survey (SAOS represented as % of total occupancy.) Unless stated % Change and percentage point difference is calculated against comparable period in previous 12 months. For further information on this briefing please contact the Insights Department - research@visitscotland.com Disclaimer: This document has been produced by VisitScotland Insight Department. Due to data collection methodology figures are considered provisional, may be subject to change upon revision and may not total 1% due to rounding. VisitScotland are subject to data provision from third parties and cannot guarantee the availability of specific data. No representation or warranty is given (expressed or implied) as to accuracy or correctness of the information and of the opinions contained in this report. The material shouldn t be regarded as specific advice and no action should be taken with reliance on it. Neither the authors nor VisitScotland accepts any liability whatsoever for any loss or damage in any way or reliance put upon the material. 5

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