CORPORATE travellers are increasingly reliant on the Internet while on business, the American Express Year 2000 Travel Trends survey shows.
Of those polled, 92% of business travellers use a laptop while on a work trip and cite electronic ticketing as the most valuable technological development in recent years. Seventy-four per cent said they have already used e-ticketing with 98% expecting to use the service next year.
New technology applications, such as video conferencing, are expected to have a positive impact on the corporate travel market, with 83% of those taking part in the survey believing that video conferencing will lead to either the same number, or more business trips in 2000.
Over two-thirds of respondents believe that their hotel room will evolve into a virtual office in the next few years, with 87% of business travellers believing that it is essential for hotel rooms to contain a modem, fax and Internet connections.
The survey also revealed that Internet usage among mobile workers is growing, with 44% of travellers using the Internet to book a business trip in 1999. In 2000, 69% expect to book a business trip over the Internet.