According to a new study survey sponsored by integrated travel solutions provider Concur, business travelers increasingly use technology to make travel more productive but also to stay in touch with those back home. 

The Business Traveler Market Segmentation Study released by the GBTA Foundation, identifies five segments of travelers in the market today: The Veteran (33 percent), Road Weary (25 percent), Wide-eyed and Anxious (21 percent), Passionate High-Tech (14 percent) and New Recruits (7 percent) based on their travel goals, characteristics, technology usages and demographics.

Majority of business travelers report there is no substitute for being there in person (78 percent), and enjoy traveling for work (78 percent). Almost half of business travelers report that staying in touch on the road with family and friends (46 percent) and staying safe (46 percent) while traveling are the most important goals on trip. Nearly half (46 percent) have to work under tight budgets, putting pressure on their travel plans. The average trip lasts four days and costs $1,837.

Business travelers tend to be college-educated (71 percent), 38 years old on average, and male (59 percent).

Looking across all travelers, a strong majority (79 percent) note they commonly bring technology on their trips; at least two-thirds bringing laptops, wireless broadband, portable GPS, and smartphones also utilizing mobile travel apps, among other tools.

GBTA and Concur are also teaming up to do an in-depth presentation on this research at the 2011 GBTA Convention in Denver on August 22. The session will elaborate on the figures and findings and provide supplementary information about how to fulfill the needs of each type of traveler. Attendees at the educational session will also be able to complete a personal survey to determine their corresponding traveler type category