Strategic Meetings Management

Look to the East for a business travel recovery!

According to a recent magazine story that I read, American Express released results of two separate survey findings -- one of its global clients and the other of 180 clients in China -- and predicted that China will lead a business travel recovery. Plus, investments by companies operating in China should increase over the next year.

I can confirm. Whenever I talk with clients in China and the rest of Asia, or when I get the opportunity to travel there, I see a huge amount of interest among companies in learning and implementing strategies to better manage travel, meetings and other indirect spend. It was especially evident during my recent trip to Thailand for the Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia & Corporate Travel World.

Among Amex's findings from Chinese companies: a vast majority have consistently focused on monitoring and controlling travel expenditures. For example, near 80% have formal policies in place, up from 70% last year. Also, 78% of Chinese organizations have negotiated rates with airlines, while 79% have them with hotels.

These are all great, best practices for managing business travel, and they are key parts of an overall SMMP, as well. I'm very excited about the spread of travel and meetings management strategies and automation across the globe, especially in the vast Chinese market, and I'm looking forward to playing a helpful role in spreading the knowledge.  

Amex's survey findings give us encouraging news.