The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) and Dinova, Inc. released a study exploring dining habits and attitudes among business travelers.
The report shows that millennials are more hesitant than older generations to order extras—such as room service, specialty coffee, or snacks—even when their company travel policy allows those purchases.
Most respondents reported using a corporate credit card to pay for business meals. However, only slightly more than half said their travel policy covers group meals, and fewer than half indicated their policy covers alcoholic beverages. Thirty-eight percent said their employer operates a preferred dining program.
More than half of business travelers research dining options before a trip. Preferences for tools and services vary by generation: millennials are more likely to use food delivery services like Uber Eats, while baby boomers tend to rely on review sites such as Yelp. Overall, a majority of travelers keep dining-related apps on their phones and frequently use mobile devices to find local restaurants.
Eating healthily while on the road ranks as a top priority for most business travelers.
When it comes to restaurant types, 64 percent of business travelers visit upscale casual restaurants, 52 percent choose fast casual, 34 percent stop at fast food outlets, and 29 percent dine at fine dining establishments.
“A one-size-fits-all approach often isn’t the answer when it comes to crafting travel policy,” said Jessica Collison, research director at GBTA. “The research reveals clear generational differences in dining preferences during work travel. Travel buyers considering a preferred dining program should select options that accommodate the varied needs of their travelers.”
“These findings underscore the importance of understanding the diverse traveler profiles within an organization,” said Alison Galik, president of Dinova. “Travel managers serve multiple generations, each with distinct preferences. The more they identify what makes travel less stressful and more satisfying—then tailor programs and communications accordingly—the more effective their travel program will be. Dining is an ideal area to address; a well-designed preferred dining program can meet broad needs while enhancing the overall travel experience.”