What Do You Like on the Road?--A Business Traveler Survey

Are business travelers all the same? Probably not. But some interesting new research from Homewood Suites does reveal some of the similar traits and habits of business travelers. (Of course, as Homewood Suites is an extended stay hotel brand focused on both business travelers staying for a few days or traveling families looking for extra space, some of these findings may not be surprising--but they are interesting).

The results are from an online, external study conducted in May, 2010 for Homewood Suites. They polled 549 (why couldn't they ask one more person for an even 550?) extended stay travelers who had taken three or more trips in the previous twelve months for their thoughts on business and leisure travel.

Based on the results of this survey, it turns out that combining business and pleasure may happen more often than you think. For example, a combination of 67% of respondents replied that they frequently (or sometimes) combined a business trip with a leisure trip. According to a prior poll the company conducted in 2000, that's a 16% increase.

They also included a question that I'd like some of the expensive hotels I've stayed in to pay attention to--amenities. According to the survey, travelers identified free Internet access as their number one amenity. In this day and age, that certainly makes sense to me. I love when hotels offer free Internet, and I really detested it when they charge outrageous prices for it--even at upscale business hotels. I know it makes some business sense for them, because they can stick the extra charge to a traveler's employer, but it's just plain offensive, if you ask me. (Of course, we don't know all the other amenity choices that survey respondents were offered--but suffice it to say, I'm guessing that free Internet would come up ranking pretty high no matter what.)

Lastly (well, there were more questions, but this is all we're taking a look at), they asked extend-stay travelers if they maintained their dietary and fitness routines while away from home. Good question. Unfortunately, I know how I'd answer that question. I certainly try to, but frequently that try doesn't translate into actually doing. However, nearly three-quarters of the respondents said that maintaining diet and fitness regimens during trips was very important or important. (Perhaps it's that high because the question didn't ask if people actually do it or not, just whether it was important...)

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