Business travel appeals more to men

Women feel guiltier about going on business trips than men because they worry about being away from home, new research has shown.

Gunilla Bergstrom Casinowksy, of Gothenberg University, asked thousands of men and women about their experience of business trips. She also carried out a series of in-depth interviews with travelling salesmen and businesswomen.

The research found that men use business nights away as an excuse to escape the commotion of family life whereas businesswomen will drive for miles to avoid an overnight stay as they miss their loved ones.

Gunilla Bergstrom Casinowksy said:

“A pervasive and consistent feature of the study was that when it comes to business travel that requires staying away from home overnight, experiences differed along gender lines.”

It was found that female travellers described their overnight business trips as emotional with feelings of loneliness, guilt and worries about how everyday life is at home. They tend to avoid public spaces after dark due to vulnerable feelings.

Men on the other hand, described their trips as positive. They experience feelings of boredom but mainly pleased with being cut off from everyday life at home. They felt that they could allow themselves to relax and work intensively without compromising family needs.

Many businesses feel that travel is an essential part of their day-to-day operations and can even lead to an increase in profit. Many professionals have suggested that face-to-face meetings with clients and partners not only boosts profitability but also stimulates business growth. See below for a list of key benefits to business:

• build stronger, more meaningful business relationships
 

• More social interaction - the ability to bond with clients and partners
 

• Allows for more complex strategic thinking
 

• Fewer opportunities for unnecessary distractions
 

• Can lead to better quality decision making
 

• Gives the ability to combine personal travel plans with business