Young New Zealand workers are more likely than their older colleagues to make the most of business trips at their company's expense by spending up on high-end meals, airline upgrades and alcohol, says a global study released by Expedia and its business travel company Egencia.
And New Zealand "millennials" (those under 34 years of age) are also more concerned with value and convenience than loyalty to a brand or airline, says the survey of more than 8500 travellers around the world.
The survey found close to half (46 per cent) of Kiwis have extended a business trip into a personal holiday in the past year and of that number those under 34 are more likely to travel with companions for the business part of their trip too (31 per cent) versus those 35 and over (26 per cent)
The generation gap is on show when it comes to spending on business travel, with young millennial Kiwis more likely to spend more than they would when travelling for leisure purposes, compared to their older counterparts. Thirty-three per cent of under 34s will spend on room service versus 23 per cent of older travellers. Forty-two per cent of under 34s will spend up on high-end meals versus 26 per cent for over 35s. Seventeen per cent versus 13 per cent will upgrade airline seats and younger business travellers are three times more likely (27 per cent) to spend up on the company on alcohol.
The online booking firm finds millennial business travellers in New Zealand increasingly desire the same levels of control and freedom over their business travel as they have with leisure "and are determined to make the most of their travels".
