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By Melissa Sepos
Life on the road can be lonely. The more than 34 million tired and weary American business travelers are looking for convenience, added-value and premiums to make their more than 200 million trips worth the hassle.
According to Business and Convention Travelers 2001 edition, corporate travel comprises 22 percent of total U.S. domestic flights. Of that:
Business travelers tend to be mid-level managers, salespeople or marketing professionals. CEOs and other high-level executives don't travel as much as the middle echelon, but they certainly hold a place in the market.
Overall, more men travel for business than women (by nearly a 3-1 ratio, as witnessed by the many lists available). One exception to the gender rule: lists of marketing professionals, a female-dominated profession. And some e-mail lists have a higher number of women subscribers than men.
Magazines and newspapers, such as Selling Power and National Law Journal are geared toward top executives, says Jim Scova, sales manager at XactMail Network, a permission-based e-mail network and a division of VentureDirect Worldwide.
Datacards for these publications show subscribers to be among the highest earners in the business traveler segment. They have large amounts of discretionary income, and tend also to have families—unlike most of the actives on other lists. These readers typically are good targets for publications, catalogs, financial services, software, seminars and conferences.
Business travelers are considered active buyers with corporate purchasing power. There are two segments of business travelers: younger (aged 20 to 49) with a moderate discretionary income of $50,000 to $100,000, and older (average age is 44) with a high income of $150,000. Both groups have a high percentage of college graduates.
Not Too Busy to Haggle
Airlines are offering better and more flexible frequent-flyer programs. Travelers tend to favor one or two airlines. Data show that they'll go out of their way to book a flight on the airline that offers the best rewards.
Today, flyers can join online services or other providers that will do the legwork to find them the best deals on airfares and hotels, as well as the most advantageous rewards.
Companies Mentioned:
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