American Airlines has released results of an online survey of more than 1,100 Business ExtrAA travel managers of small- and medium-size businesses.

The survey shows 71 per cent of these travel managers estimate the economic outlook for their companies is expected to improve in the next 12 to 18 months.

According to the US Small Business Administration, small businesses accounted for 65 percent of net new jobs over the past 17 years.

Despite mixed economic data regarding the strength of the US economy, 93 per cent of respondents denoted face-to-face meetings as being either crucial or helpful to the success of their business.

Approximately 86 per cent of responding SMB travel managers project that their companies’ travel will either stay the same or increase up to 24 per cent over the next year.

Another six per cent anticipated a travel increase of 25 per cent or more over the next 12 months.

In addition, the survey found that 65 per cent of small businesses travel within the United States most frequently, 14 per cent travel more internationally, and 21 per cent engage in both domestic and international travel equally.

The small business travel managers surveyed also noted their preferred hotels include Hilton and Marriott.