Blacklane Middle East, the region’s leading chauffeur service provider, dedicated to safety, sustainability, and stress-free travel, has conducted a study unveiling key findings on business travel among UAE professionals. The study compiled insights from professionals aged eighteen and above who commute for work, revealing that a striking 56 per cent of respondents reported working on-the-go while commuting more than before the pandemic.
As tourism continues to thrive in the region, the UAE has emerged as a prime destination for travellers. According to the latest data from Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the city alone has hosted a staggering 15.37 million overnight international visitors in the first 11 months of 2023, marking an impressive annual increase of about 20 per cent. Moreover, the business landscape in Dubai is booming, evidenced by the registration of over 30,000 new businesses with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce during the first half of 2023, a notable increase from the previous year. With this growth, roads have become more congested with daily commuters, tourists, and residents alike, extending travel time en route to their destinations. This has led to a rise in commuters looking to utilise their travel time productively by working on the go, resulting in reclaiming valuable time.
Additionally, below are key findings from the study that provide invaluable insights into the trends and challenges shaping the landscape of work-related commutes in the region:
• 25 per cent of UAE business travellers reported taking at least ten work-related commutes in the past 12 months
• Business travel surged 46 per cent post-pandemic, with the retail, catering, legal, and arts sectors leading the increase in in-person travel at 55 per cent, 55 per cent, and 54 per cent, respectively.
• 43 per cent of UAE travellers, on average, use chauffeur services that are either paid for by the company or themselves
• 34 per cent of business commuters use travel time for emails and work communication, while 34 per cent prefer reading or listening to music.
• On average, around 22 per cent of business travellers send 7-10 work-related emails/ messages outside of working hours.
• 58 per cent have noticed an increase in in-person meetings in the UAE.
• 64 per cent of UAE residents struggle with the demand for in-person meetings
• Over the past year, there has been a notable 65 per cent surge in the demand for virtual meetings.
• 56 per cent reported increased work during travel, compared to pre-pandemic levels.
• Over 60 per cent of commuters frequently find themselves needing to address emails and maintain availability during long business travels.
Dr. Jens Wohltorf, CEO and Founder at Blacklane, said: “Across the board, we’re seeing a huge increase in the demand for business travel as we experienced a growth rate of 50 per cent in the past year and our revenue quadrupled in 2022 compared to the previous year. People spend more time out, and about meeting clients, colleagues, associates and so on, and in turn, this means more time spent away from the desk, impacting efficiency and ultimately meaning more work is trying to be squeezed into the same day.”
With the aim of transforming commutes to work into productive journeys, Blacklane ME’s all-electric fleet of Mercedes-Benz EQS offers a range of amenities tailored to busy professionals’ needs, including complimentary Wi-Fi, spacious and comfortable interiors, and charging facilities, effectively transforming the vehicles into mobile offices. Blacklane ME’s diversified business model in the UAE provides comprehensive chauffeur-hailing services, catering to both on-demand and pre-scheduled rides. With safety being a top priority, the vehicles are operated by a dedicated team of Academy-trained chauffeurs. Designed for business professionals, the electric fleet comes with state-of-the-art HEPA air filtration systems and noise cancellation technology, offering a reliable, distraction-free environment for calls and meetings.
Nicolas Soucaille, General Manager of Blacklane Middle East, stated, “The report underscores the pressing need for innovative solutions to alleviate the burden on commuters in the UAE, as there is a growing demand among working professionals to remain productive and connected while commuting. At Blacklane ME, we understand the importance of providing a seamless travel experience for busy working professionals, enabling them to focus on their tasks without disruptions.”
“Blacklane ME’s fleet of all-electric vehicles provides seamless transfers, empowering travellers to effortlessly navigate through traffic and reclaim valuable time that would otherwise be lost in transit,” Soucaille added.
In an era where flexibility and well-being are paramount, Blacklane ME remains committed to providing unmatched convenience and comfort for working professionals in the UAE. Blacklane ME’s comprehensive services cater to both B2B and B2C customers, ensuring convenient and reliable transportation options. In Dubai, Blacklane ME offers one-way trips and return journeys, airport transfers, trips to other Emirates, and hourly and daily bookings within the city, all at fixed prices with no additional costs. Furthermore, guests can ride with ease knowing that all Blacklane rides globally are 100% carbon neutral since, in a first for the industry, the firm offsets all carbon emissions from all journeys.
