Business travel is valuable, if not essential, to achieving professional success today, according to a survey of over 17,000 working professionals from 24 countries by Bookings.com.

Not only does business travel have a positive impact on businesses but also offers opportunities for employees to expand their horizons and reach their fullest potential. According to the survey, 60 percent of working professionals in Hong Kong say experiencing new cultures and destinations adds value to their job, a sentiment echoed most by those in the banking (73%) and manufacturing and logistics (70%) sectors.

Conducted by Booking.com for Business, a global leader in connecting business travellers with the widest choice of places to stay, the research reveals the extent to which professionals view business travel as essential to professional growth and business success, including key differences across professions.

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When asked what they most hope to achieve when travelling for business, 44 percent of working professionals in Hong Kong cite growing their company’s business. This is followed by gaining inspiration to apply to work (37%) and learning a new skill (35%). More than half of the local working professionals (55%) say that being able to take a few off-the-clock hours during a business trip to enjoy the destination improves their performance in business meetings. The key factors influencing their decisions to incorporate some leisure time during their business trip are the chance to explore a destination previously un-visited (54%) and having time away from work to recharge (51%). In particular, those in Retail & Sales (51%) are more inclined than other professionals (41% average) to be influenced by the ability to extend the trip through the weekend.

When business travellers were asked about how they would spend their “bleisure time”, sightseeing or exploring well-known attractions (60%), dining at local cuisine or top restaurants (55%) and shopping (53%) top the list. Interestingly, compared to other professionals, those in Retail & Sales prefer spending time experiencing local art and culture (40% vs 34% average), having loved ones join them (28% vs 22% average) and spending time with colleagues and clients (24% vs 20% average).

Choosing the right accommodation plays a critical role in maximising the potential of a business trip, according to the study. More than six in ten professionals in Hong Kong (63%) agree that travel and accommodation options that cater specifically to the business traveller are no longer optional, but essential.

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A comfortable bed tops the list of Hong Kong corporate traveller’s business accommodation must-haves (47%), followed by a strong Wi-Fi signal (45%), a hearty breakfast, and free transportation or shuttle service (38% each). The choice of accommodation is also strongly driven by location, with convenient access to meetings (42%) and placement in the city centre (41%) identified as top priorities for overnight stays. With Booking.com for Business, properties that have been favourably reviewed by prior business travellers and tick the boxes for these important business travel essentials are surfaced with priority in the search results.

“Experiencing different cultures and destinations and gaining new perspectives through travel is becoming increasingly important to professional success, particularly in today’s hyper-connected and globalised business world,” says Ripsy Bandourian, senior director of product development at Booking.com for Business. “Regardless of profession, today’s business travellers are savvier about the value up for grabs, both for their companies and for themselves. Where they choose to stay is crucial in realising that value, with today’s business travellers seeking places that align with their specific, priority needs when it comes to location, flexibility and certain amenities.”

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