Business Travel Show: Minority groups not a priority in business trips
Latest research from Business Travel Show Europe highlights there is more to be done to include travellers from minority groups and those with additional needs in corporate travel.
Ahead of Pride Month, new data published today by Business Travel Show Europe reveals that minority groups of business travellers, including those from the LGBTQ+ community, are being considered less and less when it comes to travel policies and programmes.
More than half – 55% – of the 115 travel buyers surveyed stated that they do not provide special consideration for LGBTQ+ travellers – a slight increase from 54% in 2024. In addition, only 9% stated they are planning to provide special consideration in the future and just over a fifth (22%) already do – a decline from 27% in 2024.
Travellers with accessibility needs
Those travellers with accessibility needs are also facing greater marginalisation as just over a third – 35% – of respondents stated that they do offer special consideration, a marked decline from 43% in 2024 and 48% in 2023.
Neurodivergent people
Despite estimates that up to 20% of the global population is now neurodivergent, this cohort also continues to face the challenge of inclusion when it comes to corporate travel. Indeed, only 15% of respondents to this year's survey consider neurodivergent travellers, down from 18% last year.
Women still expected to go it alone
The recent PwC Women in Work report forecasts the positive impact that women in the workforce can deliver for productivity and economic growth. It predicts that sustaining continued progress on female participation rates up to 2030 could translate to an estimated UK GDP increase of £43.5bn by 2030. Despite this contribution, however, just over a quarter – 29% – of travel managers take into account specific needs of solo women travellers, down from just over a third – 36% – in 2024.
Younger and older travellers
Both categories of age group have seen a continued decline in the level of consideration they receive. Only 22% stated they consider the needs of younger travellers, compared to 20% considering the needs of older travellers when planning policies and programmes. These figures are also down from 26% and 23% respectively in 2024.
Commenting on the results Carolyn Pearson, CEO of Maiden Voyage, a business travel safety training provider, said, 'The findings are concerning given that we are seeing increased risk to minority groups of travellers. We know that women face specific challenges related to pregnancy (such as Zika virus exposure), varying airline fit-to-fly protocols, and menopause supplements that are illegal in some countries. Likewise LGBTQ+ employees face severe safety threats and travellers with disabilities face unique challenges related to accessibility and accommodation, sometimes leading to serious disruptions to their travel plans. Employers have a duty of care toward their employees and appropriately preparing employees to travel is a better outcome for all, morally, fiscally and legally.'
Business Travel Show Europe Marketing Director Jonathan Carter-Chapman adds, 'The results from this year's survey highlight that there is still important work to be done to support minority groups when it comes to travelling for business.
'Knowledge and understanding of the requirements of different groups is increasing all the time and so too is research on the valuable contribution all sections of society can make to business performance and wider economic growth. Whilst some of those surveyed have stated they are planning to include minority groups in their business travel policies and programmes this year, the majority are not and, whilst cost isn't seen as a barrier for the majority, the results would therefore suggest it is perhaps a lack of willing.
'For travel managers and corporates to unlock the potential of our minority groups, they need to take a more inclusive approach to corporate travel policies, programmes and reporting to understand where and how they can make a contribution to corporate growth. This year's Business Travel Show Europe includes a session on 'Sustainability and other ESG strategies that work' where buyers will have the chance to learn more about applying equal opportunities across their programmes and implementing a more inclusive approach in the future.'
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