US companies spend a combined $7.3+ billion annually to allow business travelers paying to stay connected while they travel, according to global research released today from Amba Hotels. The average US business traveler spends $15.10 on Wi-Fi and roaming charges on each trip.
When it comes to Wi-Fi charges, it appears that hotels and airports are the worst offenders, with some charging up to $26 for 24 hours. Having to pay for Wi-Fi services also impacts the efficiency of the working day with two thirds (67 percent) of US business travelers regularly unable to work efficiently due to slow or unreliable Wi-Fi connections.
For example, 39 percent have been unable to join a work call or videoconferencing meeting, fourteen percent have missed an important work deadline and more than half (55 percent) have felt the impact on their personal lives after being unable to contact friends and family.
Primetime TV and radio host, keynote speaker, best-selling author and global business celebrity Jeffrey Hayzlett said, “In today’s ‘always on’ world, fast, free, reliable Wi-Fi is a non-negotiable for modern business travellers. With airlines and rail companies investing in Wi-Fi on board and international roaming charges falling dramatically, it’s inexcusable to keep charging exorbitant rates for patchy Wi-Fi connections. I’m pleased to see that Amba Hotels is championing fast, free Wi-Fi and hope their competitors follow their lead. The impact of doing so will positively impact the bottom line, not to mention the general well-being of travelers around the globe.”
The Amba Hotels research found travelers to/in other markets face the same dilemma; the overall cost of Wi-Fi to businesses globally and in key business travel markets:
- US – $7.3 billion annually (average spend $15.10 per trip)
- UK – £371 million annually (average spend £16.30 per trip)
- France – €232 million annually (average spend €22.10 per trip)
- Germany – €3.6 billion annually (average spend €21.10 per trip)
Mike DeNoma, CEO of glh, the parent company of Amba Hotels said, “Wi-Fi is consistently one of the key criteria that influences our guests’ choice of hotel – in fact for some people, it’s more important than a good night’s sleep! Our Wi-Fi has no caveats, no loyalty schemes no limit on uploading or downloading. It’s the fastest, free, unlimited Wi-Fi of any Meeting & Events hotel.”
About the research
Research was carried out by Gabriel Research & Management Ltd in the UK, USA, France, and Germany, from the 19-25 January 2015 with 750 respondents per country.
UK – 22,776,000 business trips taken from the UK in 2014
Source – Mintel report, Business Traveller – UK, August 2014
USA – 482.4 million business trips taken from the USA in 2014
Source – 2014 Report from the GBTA Foundation, the education and research arm of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) http://www.gbta.org/PressReleases/Pages/rls_011215.aspx
France – 10,482,352 million business trips in 2013
Source – Brief Market – Information France 2015 http://www.germany.travel/media/en/pdf/marktinformationen_in_kurzfassung/Frankreich_kurz.pdf
Germany – 171.1 million business trips taken from Germany in 2013
Source – VDR Business Travel Report 2014 http://www.cimunity.com/fileadmin/uploads/startseite_en/VDR_Business_Travel_Report_2014.pdf
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