Almost a fifth (19%) of business travelers in the US and more than half (58%) in major European markets now prefer trains for domestic work travel, driven by new routes, sustainability and productivity benefits, according to research from TravelPerk, a business travel management platform.
The report also showed that 51% of companies across key global markets incentivize employees to choose sustainable travel options, including trains. In addition, 32% of global respondents said they are more productive on trains compared with other transportation modes.
Earlier this year, TravelPerk announced a partnership with SilverRail, the rail commerce platform that helps travel agencies sell rail easily, to enable providing Amtrak (USA) rail content to TravelPerk customers.
Kristina Geier, vice president of supplier relations for TravelPerk, said that as businesses continue to balance productivity, sustainability and cost-effectiveness in their travel policies, the role of domestic and short-haul international train travel is poised to grow. The data, she said, shows that business travelers are increasingly turning to trains for domestic travel.
Despite the benefits, according to the research, challenges like poor WiFi (55%) and noise (48%) remain barriers to productivity. However, the overall global shift toward more productive and greener travel options is clear, as companies increasingly prioritize sustainability and long-term environmental benefits over short-term disruptions.
The research, conducted across the UK, US, Germany and Spain, surveyed 4,000 business travelers and identified a global trend toward sustainable travel options.
