The financial crisis has started to show significant impact on the business travel behavior of the German economy. While in a survey of „Verband Deutsches Reisemanagement“ (VDR) in October 2008, only 14% of respondents had declared that all but the most necessary trips had been cancelled, the percentage climbed to 32% in January. And while almost half of respondents (49%) reported no changes to their travel behavior a quarter of a year ago, the figure has now dropped to a fifth (22%). A mere 2% are defying the crisis with increased mobility.

„Business trips are a vital part of the success of modern companies“, Michael Kirnberger, President of VDR, states. „Be it the initiation of business deals, trade fair visits, contract negotiations or any other important occasion – a limitation of direct customer contacts has similarly devastating effects as a credit crunch. It is the turn of service providers and the government to put a stop to the disastrous trend: In order for the economy to take off, we need approval for fair offers and cost-cutting in the general conditions immediately.“

Michael Kirnberger further stated that business trips also make up a significant part in the value creation of the national economy. According to research by VDR, there was a total of around 160 million business trips amounting to almost 50 billion euros in 2007. A decrease of 10% would take away around 5 billion euros from the economic cycle, directly affecting jobs and local demand.

The survey took place in the middle of January and was conducted among 548 member companies of VDR, which together generate a total of more than ten billion euros in business revenues annually. 199 companies participated in the survey.