WEX Wrap-Up: January 2016

What’s the latest news and insight from WEX around the world? Each month, we like to highlight some of the latest news from each of WEX’s business lines—Fleet, Travel, Healthcare, and more—in something we like to call the WEX Wrap-Up.

WEX Fleet

• Getting Healthier on the Road: Keeping New Year’s Resolutions is nearly impossible, but with the right plan and steps to accomplish said plan, you can bring health beck to your fleet. In the WEX Fleet article, Improving Truck Driver Health, authors look into the small changes that can make a big difference on the road. Further, Fleet Weight Loss Tips offers even more advice to drivers and their managers looking for ways to shed pounds while on the road.
• A Place to Sleep, a Place to Park: What happens on the road, when after a long day of driving, a trucker has to continue searching for hours, just to find a place to sleep for the night? Ranked number five on ATRI’s Top Trucking Issues, finding a place to park continues to be a problem in some locations. Find Truck Parking Faster takes a look into what can be done to address the parking issues that exist on the road, and how telematics be part of the solution.
• Winter Safety: no matter how good they are behind the wheel, there are always ever-present safety concerns that get worse each winter. Winter Driving Safety Tips offers five pieces of advice for fleet managers looking to improve safety on the road. For more information, see the article, how to prepare for bad weather on WEX Fleet.
• What the US Highway Bill Means to Fleets and Truckers: With so few investments to the infrastructure of the US Highway system in the past decade, the multi-year US Highway bill is a welcome sight to drivers and fleet managers. Learn more about the details and the praises being sung by the ATA in recent WEX Fleet article, What the Highway Bill Means for Trucking.

WEX Index: Fuel Continues Downward Push

The national average has now cracked $1.99 per gallon, and if you exempt high priced California, Americans are barely paying $1.90 gallon on average in the 49 other states. The product that has seen the most erosion is diesel fuel. The retail average for diesel has dropped below $2.25 per gallon and the most common price for the fuel is actually $1.99.

Fleet News: WEX Connect Proves Critical to Drivers During Winter Storm Jonas

In a press release before the storm, WEX announced a reminder to fleet users and drivers that its mobile app, WEX Connect is available to help drivers find fuel and service stations in operation in their area surrounding Winter Storm Jonas and beyond. With WEX Connect, drivers can find the most cost effective type of fuel they need, and search for service stations based on brand, distance and service type (e.g., oil change, tire maintenance, transmission checkup, etc.).

WEX Travel

• Optimizing Payments in 2016 and Beyond: With consumer confidence returning to the travel industry—7% growth expected in 2015 and 2016—capturing opportunities in the wake of challenges remains a concern for leisure travel brands. Consumers expect more, technologies are changing the face of competition, and travel partners face increasing pressure on margins, but what can be done to address these issues? A new whitepaper from WEX Europe looks into the six ways travel brands can optimize payments strategies in 2016.
• The Countries Fighting Most for Tourist Dollars: What goes into making a tourist country? A new WEX Travel Article looks at the World Economic Forum’s report on global tourism competitiveness, highlighting the top countries for tourists in coming years. The top five? Click here.
• Millennials Eagerly Filling Road Warrior Role: Need someone to fly across the country for a meeting, trade show, or expo? Look no further than to your organization’s Millennials. As shared by a recent GBTA survey on business traveler demographics and preferences, 45 percent of Millennials look to travel more for business, compared to just 26 percent of Boomers and 36 percent of Generation X. See the trends and preferences among Millennials here.
• How Virtual Cards Make 1099 Reporting Even Easier: in 2011, the IRS made it easier for organizations using credit cards to report transactions to suppliers. But did you know, the use of Virtual Cards can take the benefits of credit cards to the next level? Learn more about 1099-K, Virtual Cards, and Travel Companies in the WEX Travel article.

New Infographic: European Travel Trends

How to residents of the European Union travel differently than the rest of the world? What do you need to know about the latest travel trends in Europe? Travel suppliers take note: European consumers are increasing their number of trips and driving demand for luxury and tailor made packages. They’re in pursuit of more varied experiences, visiting new and multi-centre destinations and even planning activity-based retreats.

Holidaymakers are seeking authenticity—whether they’re enjoying non-conventional accommodations or tasting regional food—and they’re willing to move outside of the mainstream to get immersed into local culture. Thanks to technology, peer influence and the burgeoning sharing economy, it’s getting easier for consumers to customize their travel adventures. Consider these marketplace statistics to get a closer look at how Europeans are enjoying their holidays today.

Evolution1/Healthcare Trends Institute

• CIOs and Wearables: With wearable technology becoming more and more prevalent, what do CIOs need to know about implementing a program ready for the security challenges posed by devices. See the entire article, Workplace Wearables Need CIO Consideration.
• Technological Advances Mean Innovation by Insurers: Healthcare continues to evolve, and insurers are becoming a driving force behind the phenomenon. In the article, “How Insurers are innovating,” Healthcare Trends Institute looks into the changes affecting the healthcare industry.
• Leading with Heart: What does it take to create an engaged workforce? Know your strengths and weaknesses, live by a vision, and look for possibility in all possible situations. Learn more from the article Leading with Heart, Three Ways to Boost Engagement.
• The Growth of Telemedicine: Telemedicine is on the rise, and there are no signs of this growth slowing down. Here are five statistics showing the continued growth of telemedicine in 2016 and beyond.

Healthcare Benefits Trends to Watch Webcast

Another year in the books. As you close out insurance enrollment and finish your IRS health insurance transmittal, another year begins again. What should you look forward to? What are other employers planning? Are there any benefits trends to look at in 2016?

Healthcare Benefits Trends to Watch in 2016 highlights some of the key trends highlighted by a recent survey on what employers and other healthcare stakeholders need to know heading into the coming year.