If you employ a lot of Millennials — the generation between ages 19 and 38 — you may appreciate knowing they consider business travel to be a major perk, and they actually enjoy it. So much, in fact, that many of them will often create reasons to take a trip.
(This may be welcome news to the seasoned travel veterans who are just as happy to stay home.)
Approximately 75 percent of young professionals describe business travel as a serious bonus to their work, with 65 percent considering it to be a status symbol, according to a new study commissioned by Hilton Hotels & Resorts.
Business travelers between 23 and 35 shared positive responses toward travel and more than half admitted creating a reason to travel for work. Globetrotting is such a perk that 39 percent say they would refuse a job offer if travel wasn’t required.
One of the perks, according to the young professionals is making friends. In fact, 75 percent have widened their circle of friends. Another is getting more accomplished while meeting in person. Eighty-one percent achieve more while face-to-face.
However, not all is rosy for the young globetrotters. The study found travelers face several issues:
- Sixty-five percent admitted packing workout gear but not using it. Wanting to work out and doing so on a business trip were two different things. Moreover, 44 percent gained weight on their business trips.
- Another wardrobe “malfunction” was packing in general: 36 percent are stressed by the idea of packing for every situation. (Hint: Don’t do that. Plan your wardrobe and events ahead.)
- Writing up expense reports was another issue. Forty-three percent of travelers ended up owing their company money because they didn’t understand what they could expense.
- The anticipation of pending business travel caused stress for thirty-eight percent of the professionals. Weekends were filled with dread.
Enjoying new places on the company’s tab is great, so great that 69 percent wish they could extend their trip for a little leisure trip. However, nearly half of them feel guilty about doing it, and worry it makes a bad impression on senior leadership.
Since Millennials make up such a large part of business travelers these days, Hilton Hotels has tried to help young professionals based on these findings.
For example, Hilton guests can now use the chain’s in-room wellness concept and in-room delivery service as a means to avoid disruption of fitness routines. They also offer a variety of health-conscious menu packages.
They also offer packing advice for a week’s worth of travel: they call it the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Rule which means packing one hat, two pairs of shoes, three pairs of pants/skirts, four shirts, five pairs of socks, and six pairs of underwear. Also, keeping clothes in the same color palette can keep everything simple and coordinated. With this combination, you can travel for at least 10 – 12 days, although you may need to do some laundry while you’re away.
What about you, Millennials? What has been your business travel experience? Do you work out, or take bleisure time, or have issues with your expense reports? Share your concerns and stories with us on our Facebook page, or on our Twitter stream.
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