Unclear processes, a lack of support, and inadequate travel structures place a burden on business travelers and are becoming an underestimated cost factor.
Stressful business trips are not a rare occurrence: Poor booking processes, a lack of support in emergencies, and unclear travel policies place a burden on employees—and thus on companies as well. Between tight schedules, complex bookings, and unexpected changes, stress can quickly build up. Yet there are clear levers companies can use to counteract this.
Chefsache Business Travel draws attention to the economic dimension of this problem and shows how professional travel management and collaboration with Travel Management Companies (TMCs) can provide a solution.
Where Does Stress Arise on Business Trips?
The stress often begins long before the actual departure. A lack of clarity regarding available options, travel policies that are hard to find or contradictory—all of this costs time and frays nerves. Added to this is the stress that arises at touchpoints: during last-minute changes, a lack of transparency, or insufficient support while on the road. Especially in an increasingly dynamic work environment, this can lead to unnecessary strain.
For example, due to:
· Delays and flight cancellations without clear alternatives
· Hotel reservations that do not meet expectations
· Time pressure due to tight connections or insufficient buffer time
· Uncertainty while abroad—whether regarding payment methods, health issues, or the security situation
· The feeling of being left to fend for oneself when something goes wrong
Travel Stress as a Business Risk
The SAP Concur Global Business Travel Survey 2024—one of the most comprehensive studies on this topic—shows that travel stress has systematic operational causes. Uncertainties stemming from security concerns, political and social risks, and the growing planning burden of compliance and budget requirements force both travelers and travel managers to build in extra time buffers and control loops. This strains work-life balance and reduces internal productivity.
This shows that stress is not a private problem. It is a business risk. Someone who arrives stressed is not at their best for that crucial client meeting. Someone who loses time due to chaotic booking processes lacks that time for their actual work.
Yet this is exactly what happens every day in German companies: Employees struggle through poorly organized travel processes, are left without support when issues arise, and lose valuable work time resolving operational travel problems. The consequences are tangible: declining productivity and waning employee satisfaction.
Added to this is a structural problem: Many companies have not established professional travel management processes. Employees make their own bookings—often on different platforms—without an overview of costs, risks, or their own whereabouts in an emergency.
“Anyone who views business travel as merely a cost center is squandering potential,” explains Alexander Albert, Chair of the DRV Business Travel Committee and a member of the DRV initiative ‘Chefsache Business Travel.’ “Well-organized mobility is an investment in productivity, employee satisfaction, and ultimately in the company’s success.”
What Companies Can Do Specifically
The good news: Companies that invest in professional travel management provide tangible relief for their travelers and thus create real added value for the company. This is where Travel Management Companies (TMCs) come into play. They handle the organization, provide structured processes, and are always available to travelers as points of contact. Furthermore, they offer strategic advice to companies on building a travel infrastructure that reduces the burden on employees while simultaneously optimizing costs. With their market access, technological expertise, and emergency services, TMCs are an indispensable component of modern corporate organization.
Specifically, this means:
· Clear, easily accessible travel policies that provide employees with peace of mind rather than bureaucracy
· Centralized booking platforms with approval workflows that save time
· 24/7 emergency support, so travelers know they’re not alone if something goes wrong
· Traveler tracking and duty of care—out of a sense of responsibility, not as a form of control
· Regular feedback from travelers to continuously improve processes
“Travel management companies are indispensable partners in this area. They bring the expertise, technology, and accessibility that modern companies need,” says Albert, emphasizing: “Less stressful business trips are not a matter of comfort—they are a strategic success factor.”
