Tag: Bonnie Smith
Corporate travel trends 2025
Just when you thought your travel budget was sorted for 2025, new corporate travel trends data from our Consulting Q3 2024 Business Travel Report might have you reaching for your calculator. Here's why. Business class fares are jumping, and flights are packed. Travel managers are facing tough conversations about rising costs.
Business travel scam protection
As a business traveller, you carry more than just your laptop and a positive attitude. Between your tech, your corporate credit cards, and that nice watch you wear to impress clients, you could be toting around R50,000 to R200,000 in value. That's quite the tempting target for those with less-than-honest intentions.
Per diem tax guidelines – travel allowance compliance
A per diem (from the Latin for per day) is a daily stipend given to business travellers to cover food and incidental expenses while they’re on the road. It’s not, in fact, a perk to make up for the inconvenience of being away from home – or a little extra spending money to splurge on spoils and souvenirs.
Adult-only zones – a quiet step forward for air travel?
Imagine a flight where your biggest concern isn't a nearby toddler's meltdown but whether to catch up on work or catch some Z's. This scenario is becoming a reality as more airlines test the waters of adult-only zones, offering a potential oasis of calm at cruising altitude.
Why the #RightsOnFlights movement matters for business
There is a lot of buzz about passengers' rights and the accessibility of air travel – from which arm rail belongs to whom, to whether passengers should be allowed to bring service animals on board, to the better care of disabled people and their essential equipment. But one conversation in particular has taken hold. Alongside the RightsOnFlights hashtag.
Business travel fights back against inflation with airfare re-shopping
Soaring flight prices, persistent inflation in South Africa, and rising hotel rates in major business hubs have yet to deter business travel. In fact, the GBTA Business Travel Outlook 2023 illustrates global business travel is expected to recover to its pre-pandemic level in 2024, a full two years earlier than anticipated.
Staying in SARS’ good books on business trips
Tax season inevitably means digging out all those airline boarding passes, fuel slips and receipts from your travels over the past year. As a frequent business traveller, you've likely accumulated quite the collection in hopes of a decent refund on allowable expenses. However, the taxman wants more than a shoebox stuffed with crumpled receipts.
Budget sparks green transition – corporates must now take the lead
The 2024 South African budget speech from Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana shows sustainability taking centre stage. The national budget’s clear reprioritisation towards electric vehicles demonstrates that government is walking the talk on emission reduction and cleaner transport.
Business travel wellness – the fine line between care & overindulgence
In the modern era of corporate travel, companies are investing heavily in ensuring the well-being of their employees on the move. From ergonomic travel tools to nutritious meals on the go, the focus has shifted from merely reaching a destination to ensuring the holistic wellbeing of the traveller. But as businesses lean heavily into this trend, a pertinent question emerges: Are we taking it too far?
New Year’s resolutions to make if you work in business travel
We all know the enthusiasm of making ambitious New Year's resolutions each January - get fit! Save money! Spend less screen time! But while our personal goals often fall by the wayside, setting professional resolutions can be genuinely transformative. That's why I recommend starting the year by relooking your corporate travel game.