By Jess Scheer
U.S. consultants are racking fewer frequent flyer miles than in prior years, according to an exclusive survey conducted by Consulting in April 2010. Among the several hundred consultants that participated in our travel survey the last few years, the average consultant is currently traveling about 11 percent less often than they did just two years ago. And for a profession that's too often lost some of its best talent to the grind of too many nights away from home, this appear to be welcome news. But is it a recession-driven trend?
For now, consultants are spending far less time on the road. Approximately 23 percent of consultants are on pace to travel away from home at least ten nights per month, down from 39 percent in 2009 and 43 percent in 2008. And among the heaviest road warriors, those traveling at least 150 nights per year, the drop is particularly stark. That group of consultants now only accounts for about 15 percent of all consultants, down from 25 percent in 2009 and 33 percent in 2008.
Overall, the average consultant travels about 88 days per year, down from almost 99 days per year in 2008—that's about one fewer day per month. If one assumes that the average consultant works 48 weeks per year (two weeks of vacation and ten federal holidays), travel now accounts for just 37 percent of one's working days—down from 41 percent in 2008 (before the economic downturn).
Certainly, the lingering effects of the recession have curtailed travel. Firms are holding more virtual internal team meetings. And clients continue to push back on travel expenses. However, it's too early to know if travel regimens will increase as the economy improves. It's certainly possible that firms, and clients, have an increased confidence and comfort with limited face-to-face interactions. And it's unlikely consultants are going to lobby for increased travel after getting used to more nights in their own beds.
Where Are the Best Places To Stay?
While consultants are traveling less, it's still a significant part of the job. In the next issue of Consulting, we will rank the best airlines, hotels and car rental companies, as well as share consultants' best and worst travel stories. We will also provide insight into how, and to what extent, clients are pushing back on travel expenses. The complete results of our annual Best Places to Stay survey will be published in the Travel Advisory section of the July/August issue.
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