Youngest business drivers spending most time on the road - and say WiFi on the move is essential

Millennials are travelling more for business than their older colleagues, and they expect WiFi to be available on the move.

Research by Europcar UK shows that 38% of 18 to 34-year-olds spending between five and six hours on trips per week, compared to 36% of 34 to 44-year-olds and 15% of 45 to 54-year-olds.

Across all age groups, three to four hours is the average amount of time business travellers spend on trips for business each week.

But, again, it is the millennials that represent the highest proportion at 41%, compared to 27% of 34 to 44-year-olds and 18% of 45 to 54-year-olds.

The Europcar survey also revealed that free WiFi is the new ‘breakfast included’ with 82% of millennials putting access to WiFi or ‘staying connected’ as their top priority when travelling for business.

Free breakfast came second (69%), followed by free parking (59%).

“It seems today’s business travellers are spontaneous, with over a third (34%) making their own arrangements just one day before they travel and almost half (45%) leaving plans to a week before they travel”, said Gary Smith, Managing director, Europcar UK Group.

“However, this could mean they miss out on the most competitive deals.

“And, despite the emergence of new technologies such as video conferencing and facetime, there still seems to be an appetite for face to face meetings.

“Overall, 38% of the business travellers we surveyed valued the opportunity to meet clients and suppliers in person.

“It’s also interesting to see a growing generation gap, with the tech savvy millennials much more likely to see Wifi as a top travel priority.

“This age group is also more likely to tag leisure holidays onto business trips, increasing the trend of ‘bleisure’.

“Business travel companies need to look at enhancing their offerings beyond traditional products and services, responding to more flexible working patterns and the trend towards leisure add-ons.

“The successful brands will be those that serve independent business travellers and meet their needs as they blur the lines between business and pleasure.”