Strikes increase travel costs and stress levels

This year, there have already been 350,000 days lost due to strikes - including a high number caused by striking pilots or train drivers. So it's no wonder that the situation is having an impact on companies and their business travelers:

In the latest study Business Travel Processes 2015, conducted by Techconsult on behalf of Concur, 61 percent of companies state that business travel has been affected by strikes.

For larger companies with over 2,000 employees, the proportion is as high as 70 percent. The stress level of business travelers is 4 on a scale of 1 (no stress) to 6 (high stress).

The additional travel costs incurred by cancellation fees, additional accommodation costs or transportation such as cabs can also skyrocket.

Specifically, over two thirds of companies stated that the work stoppages at airports and train stations increased their business travel costs - by an average of ten percent.

"We have all experienced this year how strikes can affect the quality of our business travel"

says Achim Deboeser, Managing Director DACH at Concur.

"Unfortunately, we can't prevent the strikes, but we can plan our business trips as stress-free as possible from the outset and use automated solutions to help us organize quick and cost-effective alternatives in the event of cancellations.

I also recommend that every company regularly evaluate its travel management and take appropriate measures before travel costs skyrocket due to disruptions such as strikes."