Business travelers face many stressful situations. The hassles of air security or missing a flight. Losing luggage and navigating in a foreign town. Cultural differences and customs. So ever wonder what their number one stress creator is when on the road?
According to a survey of 10,000 business travelers by the InterContinental Hotel Group top of the list of frustrations is not being able to access the internet.
Specific findings from the survey:
- 61% of those surveyed said that internet was the most important additional facility in their hotel room above TV (17%); bath (5%); fridge (3%) and mini bar (1%).
- Logging onto the internet in their room when they first arrive topped the list of things that help travelers feel most at home in their hotel room (31%), above exploring the room (25%), taking a hot shower (14%) or even unpacking (13%).
- Nearly two thirds (64%) of travelers say that they would prefer to communicate with people back home over the internet rather than using the phone.
- Over half of parents (53%) surveyed cited connecting with family at home as the best way to destress at the end of a working day.
- 89% said that free internet would make them happier while traveling away for business.
- Only one-percent of those surveyed said access to a mini-bar was the most important feature, though I imagine for those locations where internet is not available that percentage does go up.
The message from this is that hotels and communities alike need to cater to the need for the business traveler to have free, simple and easily accessible internet connections. It’s just a matter of good business these days.
Travel and Tourism Today 