Business spending on airfare, hotels grew in 2011 but not food

The average lodging charge was about $89, up about 4%, according to the study. Together, airfare and lodging represented almost 54% of travel costs in the U.S.

Meanwhile, the average food expense entry was about $38, a 4% decline compared with the previous year.

Mike Hilton, co-founder of Concur, said the drop in dining costs could reflect the business world’s desire to continue to approve business trips but reduce overall travel expenses.

“The reality is that for most companies, when the price of air travel goes up, they try to get cost savings from somewhere else,” he said. “Instead of eating at a nice steakhouse, you are dropping it down a notch or two.”

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