About 56 per cent of business professionals work on-the-go while commuting, a recent survey reveals. The study, conducted by Blacklane Middle East, the region’s leading chauffeur service provider, dedicated to safety, sustainability, and stress-free travel, compiled insights from professionals aged eighteen and above who commute for work.
Additionally, the survey reports that business travel has 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.
According to the results, 43 per cent of UAE travellers, on average, use chauffeur services that are either paid for by the company or themselves and 34 per cent of business commuters use travel time for emails and work communication, while 34 per cent prefer reading or listening to music.
With amenities like complimentary Wi-Fi and water, spacious interiors, and massage-enabled seats, our all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQS fleet has transformed into mobile offices, offsetting travel stress and providing business professionals with a private haven”
– Nicolas Soucaille
The survey results claim that on average, around 22 per cent of business travellers send 7-10 work-related emails/ messages outside of working hours. Over 60 per cent of commuters frequently find themselves needing to address emails and maintain availability during long business travels. Some 64 per cent of UAE residents struggle with the demand for in-person meetings.
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.
Nicolas Soucaille, General Manager of Blacklane Middle East, tells TTN: “At Blacklane ME, we recognise the complexities of contemporary business travel, where the essence of every journey lies in ensuring comfort and maintaining privacy.
“With amenities like complimentary Wi-Fi and water, spacious interiors, and massage-enabled seats, our all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQS fleet has transformed into mobile offices, offsetting travel stress and providing business professionals with a private haven.
“Additionally, our dedicated chauffeurs, accredited through our rigorous chauffeur training program, prioritise safety and discretion. From adjusting rearview mirrors to prevent reflections of passengers to facilitating undisturbed calls and meetings, they ensure a seamless journey. With the integration of HEPA air filtration and noise cancellation technology, our guests can easily elevate their travel experience, where every journey is a seamless blend of comfort, efficiency, and productivity.”
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.
Soucaille says, “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.