Value travel is biggest criteria now, even for upscale business travelers

That’s according to a new survey by Embassy Suites, the Hilton-owned brand focused on mid to more upscale business traveler. In its fifth annual business travel survey, summarized in the infographic below, the business traveler of 2013 has become laser-focused on value in the still challenged economic environment.

Nearly 80 percent of survey respondents report that the economic climate changed the way they traveled for business over the past five years, including an increase in teleconferencing (33%), more pressure to book accommodations that offer better value (29%) and only flying coach (25%).

About 70 percent said they’re focusing on opting for “safe” travel options that don’t raise red flags with their company’s finance department in 2013, as opposed to spending a little extra money.

A big 85 percent of survey respondents said they would follow a travel brand on social media in order to learn about travel deals (61%) learn about other travelers’ experiences with that brand (29%) or stay updated on the brand’s latest news (28%). Further validating the importance of social media, more than three-fourths of survey respondents think online travel reviews are critical when preparing for business travel.