MORE business executives are convinced that technology has reduced the need for them to travel overseas on work assignments, according to a business survey released recently.

However, many of them also believe that nothing beats a good old-fashioned face-to-face meeting - not even information technology, Sky News reported on its website on Sunday.

The findings from the 12th annual Barclaycard Business Travel Study showed that almost 40 per cent of the 3,000 business travellers surveyed say they now travel less, citing access to technology as the main reason for their change in habits.

But the participants - four out of five - also indicated that they still prefer meetings with colleagues to video conferencing, despite the rise of technology, reported Sky News.

The travel survey questioned 3,397 business travellers across Britain about their working and travelling habits in December 2007.

The respondents said that they want new technology to help them save time and money while on the move, as well as enable them to stay in touch. This is because they are travelling more often and for longer distances and periods of time.

And a significant number of those surveyed said they want to be able to connect to the Internet using their wireless device while on the plane, Times Online reported.

Nearly 50 per cent of the survey respondents want airlines to provide wireless Internet connectivity onboard their planes.

The desire is greatest among those 18 to 30 years old - two thirds said they want onboard wireless. This proportion fell to 40 per cent among those aged 51 to 65, said Times Online.

The survey also found that 46 per cent of respondents sought technology that allow them to use their mobile phones formore than just voice communications.

Ms Denise Leleux, director of commercial cards at Barclaycard Business, told Sky News: 'The need for technological advancements is designed to save travellers' time and money.'

'Travel technology is constantly evolving, enabling them to do the things they want regardless of location.'

Other survey findings include the increased use of online technology to make travel arrangements.

The survey found that while the use of traditional airport check-in desks has fallen from 76 per cent in 2006 to 67 per cent in 2007, mobile phone check-in and online services has continued to grow - from 42 per cent to 47 per cent for the same period.

Predicting the advancements in the range of devices and services for business travellers in the future, Ms Leleux said: 'The future growth of business travel is inextricably linked to the advancement of technology - be that technology to book travel, in-flight technology or payment technology.'

'The next few years will be exciting as we see advancements across a range of devices and services.'