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Survey sheds light on China

CHINA: More than 80 per cent of companies in China still rely on paper rather than technology for their travel management processes, according to the first in-depth survey of the country's corporate travel market. Similarly, corporate credit cards are not widely used and cash remains the dominant form of payment - more than 90 per cent of respondents give employees cash advances to cover travel expenses.

The research, carried out by Amadeus and PhoCusWright among 112 corporate travel executives, highlights the significant challenges facing companies operating in the country, whether they be multinational corporations with a presence in China, private domestic companies or state-owned enterprises.

"This report makes clear that a detailed understanding of the market is an absolute pre-requisite for any company that is either operating in China or is planning to do so in the future," says Ram Badrinathan, PhoCusWright's Asia/Pacific general manager. "It shows the unique conditions that they must navigate and confirms that those businesses which simply attempt to translate their global systems across are destined to be unsuccessful. Policies and programmes which have been tailored to the local environment are essential," he adds.

IT penetration is expected to proliferate, driven by the growth of credit card adoption and the spread of broadband infrastructure into the regions. Enlargement of the technologically savvy under-35 generation is expected to further increase use of technology.

Policies and programmes which have been tailored to the local environment are essential," he adds. infrastructure into the regions. Enlargement of the technologically savvy under-35 generation is expected to further increase use of technology.