WebEx survey reveals the secret life of the international business traveler

LONDON, 22nd August, 2005 —Business travel is taking its toll on British workers as we spend more and more time on the road for work.

In a survey out today, commissioned by web meetings specialist WebEx Communications and carried out by NOP, business people revealed that they take an astounding 12.9 flights per year for business, with the average trip lasting 5.2 days. With 67.8 days every year spent away on business―more than three times the amount of annual leave taken by the average UK worker― the survey confirms that business travel is taking over our lives.

Corporate travellers would rather visit the in-laws
Almost half of business travellers (46%) would rather suffer dinner with the in-laws than the stress of international airports. A further 42% would rather go through the rigmarole of house hunting and an astounding 37% would rather scrub the toilet than undergo the hassle of checking in, the irritation of passport control and the ‘dead time’ lost sitting in the airport lounge.

Business travel is a lonely existence
An exciting and glamorous perk? Apparently not. A huge 81% of us say the first thing we do on reaching the safety of the hotel room is call our partners. According to the survey, men that miss their partners the most, with almost twice as many men (60%) than women admitted to missing their partners when traveling for work. The survey found that 49% of women miss their children, not their partners.

It’s all work, work, work and no play
Almost half of the respondents admitted to continuing to work, well into the evening, when traveling for work. When it comes to social activities, they’re no more exciting. Books remain the most popular choice, with over 72% indulging in light bedtime reading. In fact just 8% of respondents venture out of their hotel room on the average business trip.

“Business travel is a notoriously painful experience,” commented Sylvia Jensen, director of communications, WebEx. “The survey results show that there is a strong case for encouraging workers to engage in virtual business meetings. Obviously, there are many occasions where it is imperative to meet face-to-face, but business professionals should understand that there is an alternative to the frustration of international travel.”

Creature comforts that make business trips more bearable.
In this survey of the hardnosed business community, 4% of respondents confessed they take a cuddly toy to make themselves feel at home! And with 5% of us refusing to leave home without a lucky charm, you’d be forgiven for thinking that UK business travellers are more Frank Spencer than Alan Sugar!

Honey Langcaster-James, Life Coach and Big Brother psychologist said, “The popular myth sees ‘Brits abroad’ as outgoing travel louts. This research shows, when it comes to business travel, it’s a different story. When we travel on business, we adopt an insular approach, rarely even venturing beyond our hotel room and generally putting our personal lives in stasis. In fact, business travel can be a lonely existence and it seems it’s more ‘Brits are bored’ than ‘Brits abroad’.

About WebEx Communications, Inc.
WebEx Communications, Inc. is the world's leading provider of on-demand web meeting applications. WebEx applications improve collaboration and increase productivity in sales, support, training, marketing, engineering and product design. WebEx delivers its suite of web meeting applications over the global WebEx MediaTone Network, a network specifically designed for secure web collaboration. WebEx Communications is based in San Jose, California and has regional headquarters in Europe, Asia and Australia. Please call toll free 877-509-3239 or visit www.webex.com for more information.

###

This press release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements may be identified by use of the terms anticipates, believes, continue, could, estimates, expects, intends, may, plans, potential, predicts, should or will, or the negative of those terms or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those described in such statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties. In particular, these forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding guidance for the third quarter of 2005 and fiscal year 2005 on anticipated revenues and earnings per share and statements related to the impact of the acquisition on earnings per share in 2005 and 2006. Factors which could contribute to risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the failure of the acquisition to close as scheduled or at all, delay or unexpected costs in combining the two companies, the failure of WebEx or Intranets.com to meet financial expectations, a decrease in demand for WebEx services, the failure of WebEx to meet projections in domestic and international direct sales activity, channel sales, customer retention and expense control, failures and interruptions in the software and systems underlying WebEx's services, the effects of competitive offerings, and the impact of general economic conditions. A fuller discussion of the risks and uncertainties that could affect WebEx Communications, Inc. are more fully set forth in WebEx Communications, Inc.'s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including WebEx's Form 10-Q filed on May 10, 2005. WebEx Communications, Inc. assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information contained in this press release.

Note : MediaTone is a trademark of WebEx Communications, Inc