Business travel finally on the upswing

Feb 15, 05 | 8:42 am

Business and convention travel is on the upswing after four years of decline, a report released Tuesday by the Travel Industry Association of America shows.

From 1998 to 2003, business and convention travel volume fell more than 14 percent, but grew more than 4 percent in 2004, with more strong growth expected over the next few years.

However, advancements in technology have made online business communication technologies more popular as an alternative to travel, the report said.

But while 71 percent of all business air travelers in 2004 felt the use of teleconferencing, webcasting or videoconferencing was somewhat or much more efficient than travel, only 37 percent felt that using such technology is more effective than a face-to-face meeting.