Millennials and Gen Zs now make up 65% of UK business travellers, overtaking Gen X and Baby Boomers, as they move up the ranks of organisations.
The expectations of these younger generations are markedly different and it’s important to understand how this affects the provision of employee mobility. That way, businesses can provide a great experience that also achieves business goals around cost control and emissions reduction.
So, what do younger generations want?
Nearly three-quarters (72%) of Millennials and Gen Z business travellers want sustainable travel choices, compared with two-thirds (66%) of Gen X and Baby Boomers. They also prefer a more tailored travel experience, with 72% of Millennials and Gen Z saying personalised experiences are important to them.
This suggests that travel policies need to be flexible – putting choice in the hands of the end user so they can select the transport option that best suits their journey, and sustainable – offering greener and lower-emission transport options.
For example, dedicated vehicles may not make sense for urban-dwelling workers who live in apartments with little or no parking. They may be better served with access to vehicles as and when required from multiple locations.
When it comes to mobility, these younger employees want what they want when they want it, and importantly, where they want it. Immersed in the on-demand economy for music, TV, coffee and meal kits, on-demand vehicle services could be top of the list for younger workers when it comes to preferred transport options. Rental and car clubs, for example, could provide the convenience of being able to access what they need, when they need it and importantly, where they need it, 24/7. They also come without the need to worry about maintenance and insurance.
Younger generations are also more likely to extend business trips to incorporate some leisure time, making the most of opportunities to explore new towns and cities. 77% of Gen Z and Millennial business travellers take blended trips, compared to 55% of Gen X and Boomers.
Often, the lines between ‘work’ and ‘life’ are far less defined than they were for people who grew up when work was only ever done at the workplace. Among younger generations, many have embraced the concept of hybrid and remote working.
Looking to the future, the blurring of business and leisure lines could go even further to allow on demand access to corporate mobility platforms for holidays or celebrations.
The key is ensuring the travel policy appeals to an environmentally aware, on-demand-economy-savvy generation. These employees are keen to shape each journey to suit their life, blending work and leisure to get the most out of every trip, whilst making sustainable choices at every stage. It’s all possible with technology and data-driven mobility solutions that are combined with human expertise. As the war for talent continues, mobility could be a key deciding factor as Gen Z climbs the corporate ladder.
Andy Bland is head of business rental development, UK and Ireland for Enterprise Mobility
