The ongoing global economic downturn and recession in the UK is seeing business leaders increasingly using travel management firms to sort out their travel for work, it has been noted.

According to a new report from American Express, the money which companies are setting aside for business travel is also falling, due to firms looking to cut costs.

On average, the report flagged up an average fall of 18 per cent in companies’ travel budgets.

However, firms are still needing to travel overseas to take meetings and meet clients, despite the economic downturn, which could be good news for those who own Spanish property or French property.

This could particularly be welcome for those who own European property near to a large business hub, such as Paris, which attracts high levels of business travel.

Commenting on the report, editor of Business Travel Magazine Gill Upton said: "What this economic downturn has led to is a more positive relationship between travel management company and client, one that is more of a partnership than anything else."

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