CWT Launches Travel Stress Index, Using ‘Big Data’ to Identify Hidden Costs of Business Travel

Innovative traveler policies will help drive down trip-related stress and improve productivity by up to 32 percent

Latest findings from Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) indicate that traveler-focused policies, taking into account the impact of trip-related stress, could help companies improve traveler wellbeing at the same time as improving corporate productivity by up to 32 percent.

Following on from its study of the main categories of stress triggers for business travelers, CWT has developed an algorithm-based tool, called the CWT Travel Stress Index (TSI), which measures the financial impact of lost productivity incurred through trip-related stress.

CWT’s research indicates that, while stress cannot be reduced beyond a certain limit, steps can be taken to significantly improve traveler wellbeing and in doing so, increase traveler productivity when on the go.

“We have discovered that we can help our clients control and impact, on average, 32 percent of this portion of lost time and productivity,” commented Vincent Lebunetel, head of CWT Solutions Group, Europe, Middle East and Africa.

“By identifying which stressors are causing the most pain for a particular segment of travelers, we can recommend specific solutions to enhance the traveler experience and improve productivity. It could be advising on connectivity solutions for each stage of a trip or recommending a specific carrier based on on-time or lost-luggage performances,” Mr. Lebunetel said.

Using the TSI, CWT Solutions Group can now assess a company’s trip-related stress levels, benchmark it against industry norms and provide recommendations to help clients tackle the hidden costs of business travel while addressing their duty of care responsibilities. For example, the possible lost time for a company taking an average of 5,000 trips per year represents US$ 3.3 million; of this, US$1.1 million can be saved through improved traveler productivity.

“By creating policies that are centered on people – their profiles, needs and their reactions to different stress triggers – companies can help travelers focus on the fundamental reason for their trip: doing business!” Mr. Lebunetel continued.

“We encourage companies to view business travel as a strategic means to grow and compete effectively in the marketplace, while at the same time recognizing that business travel has an impact on a company’s most important asset – its employees,” he said.

The TSI is based on extensive data from nine different sources, including 15 million air transactions, CWT stress trigger survey statistics, traveler demographic information, worldwide employee compensation benchmark data, flight statistics on delays and lost luggage, and information relating to geopolitical risks.