The Fate of Business Travel is still Questionable

How is the rejection of the $700 bailout plan going to affect the travel industry? Well if you travel mainly for business it could have a great effect. With the economy doing poorly, may business travelers may be finding themselves sleeping in less then stellar hotels. Companies are going to be expecting their sales teams to bring in more sales while spending less on obtaining the sale (i.e. flight and hotel costs for the employee).

Since the airlines have been cutting back on the areas that they are servicing and how often flights are being offered, don't be surprised if your next business trip flight will be leaving at six or seven in the morning along with a layover or two. While on the road, companies will probably be limiting the number of meals that they are willing to pay for, as well as the quality of the hotel you'll be staying in, and the rental car you'll be driving.

According to the New York Times, many companies feel differently about how much they are willing to spend next year on travel expenses. A third said they would be spending the same amount, while another third said they would be spending less, and a few companies state that they would be spending more since costs will be increasing. But with the economy changing these forcasts for how much companies are willing to spend will probably change.