Clive Wratten
Chief Executive Officer, Business Travel Association
For the UK economy to thrive, it needs to move. Yet, too many business travellers are held back by unreliable rail services and fragmented regional connections.
Delayed meetings, disrupted site visits and lost hours on the move cost time and money, limiting opportunities for growth. Our current infrastructure doesn’t meet the needs of a modern, mobile workforce. To boost productivity and global competitiveness, the UK needs a multi-modal, sustainable transport system, supported by better collaboration and smarter technology.
Putting rail back on track
Rail is the most sustainable way to travel domestically – producing up to 40 times fewer emissions than aeroplanes.1 Yet, unpredictable timetables, poor Wi-Fi, overcrowding and high-ticket prices mean many workers see it as a last resort.
The BTA’s own data shows that business travellers contribute around £800 million in revenue to UK rail, with the potential for this to triple, and they deliver a yield six times higher than the average traveller.2 Too often, they face lengthy, multi-leg journeys between cities and suburban towns, forcing them to drive instead.
Investing just 50% more in rail infrastructure could support an extra 104,000 high-wage jobs in the rail supply sector.3 That’s a clear route to economic growth, particularly for rural areas reliant on rail access to cities and opportunities.
Part of the solution lies
in smarter travel tools.
Unlocking smarter journeys with technology
Part of the solution lies in smarter travel tools. From AI and real-time data to integrated booking systems, technology is helping businesses plan more efficient, sustainable trips and recover quickly when things go wrong.
Travel management companies (TMCs) are leading this charge. With 88% reporting growing opportunities to integrate advanced tech, they’re helping companies meet sustainability goals while improving the traveller experience.4
Charging forward
To place business travellers at the centre of responsible travel innovation, industry and government must work together more closely. National polices must reflect the needs of business travellers, ensuring that rail and other transport providers work in tandem with TMCs to align services with corporate travel demands.
The future of responsible business travel depends on a commitment to both environmental responsibility and traveller satisfaction. By working together, the industry can achieve this balance. Now is the time for businesses, policymakers and travel providers to invest in solutions that keep business travellers moving — efficiently, sustainably and with confidence.
[1] Gov.UK Greenhouse Gas Reporting, 2023.
[2] BTA Rail Whitepaper, 2024.
[3] Oxford Economics, 2021.
[4] The Future is Now: Technological Transformation in Corporate Travel – GBTA Study, 2024.
