American Express Business Travel has announced the results of its second Survey of Corporate Travel Management Practices covering China in conjunction with the first American Express China Business Travel Forum (CBTF). Findings from the report were presented at the CBTF and provided research information that assists organisations in conducting a critical review of their Travel & Entertainment (T&E) management practices with a view to achieving more cost-effective solutions. The first American Express Business Travel survey for this market was conducted in 2003.

Chinese market highlights from this year’s Barometer included:


* Meals and entertainment remained the largest expense category accounting for 39% of total T&E expenditure


* Organisations in the large market segment reported a 25% increase in average T&E expenditure over 2003 results


* 42% of organisations surveyed expect their T&E expenses to increase in the coming year, with an average expected increase of 17%


* Of the employees in the organisations surveyed, 36% travel on business trips (both domestic and overseas) versus 25% last year


* According to the survey, the air travel expenditure break down is 65% economy, 25% business class, 10% first class

According to the surveyed companies, the finance, insurance, real estate and business services expenses are almost three times larger than wholesale, retail trade and distribution sectors.

Travel management practices highlights from this year’s Barometer included:

* Large companies’ travel management practices are becoming more structured


* Travel policies, when they exist, are being reviewed in a more formal manner than before


* 55% of organisations surveyed declare that they follow a formal written T&E policy


* T&E policies are increasingly communicated through new technologies


* 23% of organisations expected to be using interactive online booking tools within 12 months


* Use of cash for payment of T&E expenses remains predominant

“The American Express Business Travel Barometer is the first of its kind and analyses the various aspects of T&E practices,” said Charles Petruccelli, President of American Express Global Travel Services. “Our barometer delivers us the knowledge we need to understand and therefore, grow successfully in the given market.Ê Through our survey, we have learned that Chinese organisations which are structuring their T&E expenses are looking primarily for four major services from their travel management partners:Ê Access to negotiated rates and quality of delivery; one single travel management company across China; Ability to collect data on travel spend and ability to help promote control and compliance. “

The Barometer survey was conducted by Jones Donald Strategy Partners and the results are based on the responses of 150 participants from organisations with 50 and more employees, representing five key industry sectors.Ê The sample was designed and responses analysed to ensure they reflected the distribution of organisations by industry sector and organisation size across Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou.Ê The sample included organisations representing four major size categories, from organizations with 50-99 employees to organizations with 500 and more employees.ÊÊ

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