Latin America and Asia will be the two regions with the highest growth in corporate travel, which could generate an increase in the rates of hotels specialized in this segment, according to the annual forecasts for Business Travel study prepared by the Global Research and Reporting Department of American Express Global Business Travel.
The study states that, in contrast, Europe and North America will have much more moderate demand. Javier Mejía, Managing Director of American Express Barceló Viajes, told the Spanish press, "in the midst of the current economic uncertainty, we estimate that the combination of demand and supplier management will lead to a moderate increase in prices in 2012, to the extent that business travel is an essential part of both the growth of companies as well as economic development in general."
The executive confirmed that destinations such as Mexico, Brazil, India and China have increased the demand for corporate travelers belonging to the SME segment and said that, at least in Europe, the increase in rates in the old continent will range between 0.5% and 5% depending on the type of accommodation (medium or high range).
The annual forecasts in the American Express Global Business Travel report include more than 2,200 individual estimates, including 136 different types of airfares, hotel prices at 932 mid- and high-end locations around the world, and ground transportation price predictions in 35 countries.
