The increasing potential of business tourism has been revealed by the recently released UK Conference Market survey, which found that 9.5% of businesspeople are extending their stays away from home on what are known as ‘business extenders’.

What’s more, over 10% of business people who travel away on business are taking their partners with them in an attempt to maintain their work/life balance, according to the survey, which was commissioned by the Meetings industry Association (MIA).

These figures show how business events are having a significant and growing effect on the economy of the host destination and why the Government should be providing support for the events industry in the UK with the aim of attracting more overseas companies to hold their events in Britain.

“More often than not it is my wife who is staying away from home,” said Matthew Roots, marketing manager for Commidea. “Her company understand the pressure this can cause on home life and when possible invite me to travel with her, particularly if she is abroad.”

This is an increasingly common approach and one that will lead to the continued growth of business tourism and the economic benefits it brings.