GetThere Benchmark Survey Also Shows Higher Online Usage Among Medium-Sized Companies Than Large Companies
SOUTHLAKE, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–July 7, 2004–GetThere(R), the leading provider of online corporate travel
technology, today announced the results of its fourth annual Corporate
Travel Benchmark Survey. The survey, which polls the country’s leading
corporations on their travel patterns, showed that businesses continue
to substantially reduce costs by booking online, as well as by using
low-cost airlines. There was also evidence that medium-sized companies
tend to book a greater percentage of their trips online than their
mega corporation counterparts.
“It appears that companies’ cost saving attitude toward managing
travel has become permanent. For the fourth year in a row, we’ve seen
a substantial increase in online booking, resulting in lower average
ticket prices and agency fees. This year 75 percent of companies also
said they rely on low-cost airlines to help them reduce costs,” said
GetThere General Manager, Bev Heinritz.
Online on the Rise, Cost Savings Continue
Overall, companies reported that online bookings represent 60
percent of their total reservations on average, compared with 53
percent in 2003. They reported that trips booked online averaged 15
percent lower airfares and nearly 50 percent lower travel agency fees
than those trips booked over the phone. Sixty-seven percent of
respondents said they are now using a specialized e-fulfillment center
for online bookings, versus just 48 percent a year ago. These
e-fulfillment centers help companies secure even lower transaction
fees from their travel agencies.
Companies With Simpler Travel Programs Achieve the Highest
Adoption
While large corporations were initially quicker to deploy online
booking technology, this year’s survey showed medium-sized companies
are averaging 65 percent adoption compared with 56 percent for larger
companies. The high level of success among medium-sized businesses is
most likely a result of their ability to more easily implement proven
adoption/cost savings strategies such as senior executive endorsement.
Adoption at International Locations Approaching North American
Levels
Although online booking became popular later outside of North
America, 41 percent of respondents reported online travel activity for
global offices. And, online adoption for offices in Europe and Asia
averaged 55 percent, rapidly approaching the same level as North
American offices.
Low-Cost Airlines Driving Down Prices and Costs
According to the responses, 75 percent of companies believe that
low-cost carriers help them reduce travel expenses. The majority of
companies reported that low-cost airlines not only provide lower
airfares, but also provide greater choice, increase regional
competition and help to reduce overall airfares from major air
carriers.
Survey Methodology
The Corporate Travel Benchmark Survey is based on a survey of 160
of GetThere’s customers that spend from $1M to more than $100 million
per year on air travel. These benchmarks provide a snapshot of the
online travel trends, savings and adoption techniques that are
currently in use at leading companies. The report also includes
benchmark breakouts for specific industries and regions as well as
results for mid-market and large-market companies. All results are
based on travel data as self-reported by each company’s corporate
travel department.
About GetThere
GetThere is the world’s leading online corporate travel
reservation technology, and is one of the key solutions offered to the
corporate marketplace by Sabre Holdings. GetThere enables global
corporations and government agencies to provide a convenient way for
employees to book travel and plan meetings while significantly
reducing costs. GetThere’s advanced technology works with all major
global distribution systems (GDS) and all travel management companies.
More than 1,000 corporations, including 65 percent share of the
Fortune 200, use GetThere. More information is available at
www.getthere.com.
Sabre Holdings Corporation (NYSE:TSG) is a world leader in travel
commerce, retailing travel products and providing distribution and
technology solutions for the travel industry. More information about
Sabre Holdings is available at http://www.sabre-holdings.com.
CONTACT: GetThere
Dan Toporek, 415-932-1163
dtoporek@GetThere.com
or
VOLLMER
Mary Kate Smither, 972-488-4790
marykate@vollmerpr.com
or
Chintan Talati, 972-488-4790
chintan@vollmerpr.com
SOURCE: GetThere