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Corporate Travel Managers: What do they do?

A corporate travel manager is responsible for managing the travel needs and requirements for an organization. They help with organizing business trips and provide tactical direction specific to the industry they are in. The role of a corporate travel manager has evolved over time. It used to just include booking flights and hotels for employees but now there are many more responsibilities that fall under this job description.

A corporate travel manager is responsible for managing the travel needs

and requirements for an organization.

A corporate travel manager is responsible for managing the travel needs and requirements for an organization.

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, a corporate travel manager's responsibilities include researching and booking travel, ensuring that employees receive their travel documents on time and advising management on travel policies.

A typical day as a corporate travel manager may involve researching airlines, hotels and rental cars through online tools or phone calls; arranging for flights; following up with clients about upcoming reservations; answering questions about various aspects of business trips (including airline regulations); preparing expense reports for reimbursement; communicating with vendors regarding billing issues or other problems.

A bachelor's degree in business administration is required, as well as previous experience managing teams within an organization or working in another related field such as human resources management or marketing communications.*

Because of their specialised knowledge, they are better able to

negotiate with travel agents, hotels, and airlines to get the best services at minimal cost.

A corporate travel manager can often negotiate better deals for their clients. This is because they have a better understanding of the industry and will know what is available, as well as what isn't. They also have in-depth knowledge of the various options available and will be able to recommend the best option for a particular need. For example, if you need to book flights from Melbourne to London but don't want to pay $1000 per person per night at an airport hotel, your CTM may know about a nearby hotel that offers rooms for half that price and includes free shuttle service between there and the airport.

In short: A corporate travel manager knows all about booking trips for employees---and because of their specialised knowledge, they are better able to negotiate with travel agents, hotels, airlines or any other suppliers involved in organising business trips. By negotiating directly with these suppliers themselves (instead of going through third parties like Expedia), CTM's can often save money on services like room upgrades or car rentals - which means more cash left over when it comes time

Corporate travel managers impact organizations in many ways. They save

companies money by negotiating lower rates with all types of travel suppliers.

Corporate travel managers impact organizations in many ways. They save companies money by negotiating lower rates with all types of travel suppliers. They do this by having more knowledge of the industry than most other people, which makes them great negotiators. Corporate travelers may have a lot on their plate, but they can rest assured knowing that the CTM is working hard to make sure that their trip goes smoothly and efficiently.

They help with organizing business trips and provide tactical direction

specific to the industry they are in.

Corporate travel managers are usually assigned to a specific industry. They know the best places to go, they know which hotels are best for the industry, they know which airlines have the best deals, they know which airports have the best facilities, and they know which travel deals are best for the company and its employees.

The role of corporate travel manager is a big one---you're not just booking flights and hotels anymore; you have an entire team working under you.

Prior to the Internet, it was very difficult to find out about airfare

and hotel prices.

Before the Internet, it was very difficult to find out about airfare and hotel prices.

You had to call travel agents. You had to call hotels. And you had to call airlines. If you wanted information on a particular destination, then you had to wait for brochures from the hotel or resort itself and make sure they arrived in time before your meeting date! Travel agents also sent out brochures with information on destinations in them, but if you wanted advice on which airline/hotel combination would work best for your group trip, again---more waiting around for someone else's schedule!

Sometimes you would spend hours going through brochures just to get

basic information before you could start planning a trip.

In the past, corporate travel managers had to rely on a team of associates to handle all of their travel needs. Often times, this meant that it would take weeks or even months before you could get any information about your trip. You may have had to visit a library or sit in front of a computer for hours just to find out basic details about flights, hotels and rental cars. In fact, sometimes you would spend hours going through brochures just to get basic information before you could start planning a trip.

Nowadays this has all changed thanks to technology that allows individuals from anywhere with access internet access (think smartphones) make reservations for everything from rental cars through companies like Hertz Rent-a-Car and Avis Car Rental Companies as well as purchase tickets for airlines such as Southwest Airlines and United Airlines without leaving home!

But today, everything has gone online. You can book flights and reserve

hotels in just a few clicks using your laptop or smartphone.

But today, everything has gone online. You can book flights and reserve hotels in just a few clicks using your laptop or smartphone. The process is so fast that most people prefer travelling on their own without consulting any travel agent at all!

This shift in the way travel is done has reduced the need for corporate travel managers to do their job personally. Instead, they now spend more of their time managing budgets and ensuring that all employees adhere to policies related to financial reporting. In addition to these tasks, corporate travel managers are also responsible for training employees on how to use various tools like Expedia and Orbitz so that they know how to find flight deals without having to go through the company's internal systems.

The process is so fast that most people prefer travelling on their own

without consulting any travel agent at all!

The Internet has made it possible for you to find prices and book travel without any help from a travel agent. It is also easy to find information about hotels, flights and car rental. If you have a problem with your flight, you can call the airline directly or contact them through their website.

The process is so fast that most people prefer travelling on their own without consulting any travel agent at all!

Corporate travel managers play an important role in making your company

run smoothly.

Corporate travel managers play an important role in making your company run smoothly. They are responsible for managing the travel needs and requirements for an organization. They are better able to negotiate with travel agents, hotels, and airlines to get the best services at minimal cost. In addition to negotiating on behalf of companies, they help with organizing business trips and provide tactical direction specific to the industry they are in.

Conclusion

Corporate travel managers are an essential part of any company that needs to make frequent business trips. They save companies money by negotiating lower rates with all types of travel suppliers and providing tactical direction specific to the industry they are in. They also help with organizing business trips and provide tactical direction specific to the industry they are in. Prior to the Internet, it was very difficult to find out about airfare and hotel prices but today everything has gone online so you can book flights or reserve hotels in just a few clicks using your laptop or smartphone! The process is so fast that most people prefer travelling on their own without consulting any travel agent at all!

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Key points to consider for travel in 2022

We have gone through two years of uncertainty, measures, restrictions and many changes in our personal and working lives, but we can say that in 2022 corporate travel is back.

Our whole environment has been affected, from corporate decisions, to company travel policy. Therefore, it is necessary to study and restructure all aspects that affect travel.

Fortunately, vaccinations and prevention have allowed us to return to travel of all kinds, but not everything is back to normal.

If you are afraid of getting lost among so many restrictions and limitations or you are not sure how you should organize your company's next corporate travel.

Here is a selection of important points to consider for corporate travel in 2022.

Choose a travel agency

First of all, you must choose a travel agency that suits your tastes. Today there are thousands of virtual agencies, however, Avenasea has trained and updated personnel in the area of corporate travel to carry out the trip of your dreams.

Depending on each company's travel policy and guidelines, we can advise you in the best way for your trips to be carried out in the most optimal way possible.

We can help you plan everything from booking accommodation to the most comfortable transportation option or the one that best fits your budget. Whatever trip we plan, we will be choosing the best options available for you.

Safety and comfort

Each country, region and even organization has a specific security protocol to prevent mass Covid infection. It is important to take this into account when selecting both accommodation and transportation, as we do not want to expose your workers to possible contagions or uncontrolled environments.

Comfort is a key consideration before planning travel so that workers can enjoy a relaxed and calm environment while conducting meetings.

The balance between safety and comfort is the key to an excellent business trip.

Study travel schedules

When planning corporate travel in this post-pandemic era, the company's calendar should be well studied in order to be able to space out travel dates and avoid any type of mishap that may exist.

In this sense, it is not necessary to extend the trips more than necessary. This means that two meetings could be grouped on the same day to expedite travel, shortening the time that workers are exposed away from home.

Minimize bureaucracy

One of the most common complaints of workers is the work they have to do when it comes to submitting the expense control after each trip, since for many of them this exhausting task is perceived as a great waste of time.

To streamline this activity you can acquire a travel management software that will help make life easier for your employees. This tool is sure to be appreciated.

Steps to manage corporate travel

A corporate travel manager must find harmony in a travel management approach that is functional and helps you control your company's expenses to save as much as possible.

A well-implemented travel system results in productive, cost-effective and well-organized business travel - and satisfied travelers!

Here are some essential steps to choose the best travel management proposal to match your company's travel policy.

1. Identify the advantages and disadvantages of your current approach

The first thing to consider is to check which categories are met to make it an optimal proposal and which problems you need to solve. Once you have done this review, you will have a clearer idea of the solution you should choose.

The most common categories in business travel management methods are:

-Manage the booking directly on leisure travel management websites (Booking.com, Expedia, Kayak, Trivago...).

-Manage the booking in travel agencies or travel management companies.

-Use specialized tools such as virtual travel assistance chatbots.

-Use specific travel management tools for companies.

-Use travel management platforms.

2. Planning and booking business travel shouldn't take forever.

Our tools allow executives to book policy-compliant travel in minutes through our online platform, transforming time spent booking travel into time spent getting work done.

3. Determine the criteria for choosing a business trip for your company.

Once you have established the specific issues your company has, it will be easier to determine which criteria are important to your company when choosing a travel management option. In addition to the criteria, you need to define the specific features your company should look for such as: Equipping a particular executive's options for accessing low-cost flights and hotels. Obtain a simple, easy and fast procedure for managers. Achieve a customer service that is available 24 hours a day, without surcharges or commissions. Unify the actions and procedures in the same web site without having to jump to other pages or redirections.

4. Execute the travel plan of each staff member

Execute your travel plan by faces, paying attention, first of all, to the director of the corporate travel department, who will start the booking process of all company trips, inviting some employees who will carry out their business trip.

5. A solid expense accounting makes future business travel easier

Business travelers need to know how to record their expenses and the process needs to be quick and easy. The best solution to achieve this is to use a travel booking platform or expense/accounting software like the one we offer at Avenasea.

By following these steps, you can ensure a smooth implementation of the best travel management platform for your company.

  1. Get a head start by adding the details of the executives in your company who will use the new tool the most so that they can start using it right away.
  2. Define the limits of your company's travel policy and set up approval procedures before sending invitations to employees.
  3. Spread the name of the platform throughout the company so that employees know as soon as possible what they will need for their business travel.
  4. Set up a financial reporting procedure for the financial reporting department.
  5. Plan and write an introductory message that clarifies instructions to the employees you will invite to join.

Know the benefits of corporates travels

Organizing a business trip is an enriching experience for your company. Corporate travels are essential for the development of any company, either to establish direct contact with employees or to strengthen relationships with other companies.

Corporate travel has the following benefits

  • Establish new partnerships with other companies.
  • Discover new countries and business opportunities.
  • Expand a company's customer base by increasing revenue.
  • Broaden the distribution and promotion channels of a product, good or service.
  • Learn about other products for new projections in products, goods and services.
  • Your employees can learn new languages, to establish new links.

Business trips do not always have the same objective, there is always something that differentiates them, since each one of them is carried out looking for different purposes according to the interests of your company.

Here are some typologies that will stand out in your business area

1. Business travel

One of the positive aspects of this type of business trip is that it allows the company to know which could be its potential clients, as well as the distribution and promotion channels of its products, goods or services, allowing it to negotiate new contracts or carry out new renewals.

2. Executive travel

Executive trips are usually made by senior executives of the company with the purpose of establishing and strengthening relationships with other companies. These trips are used to conquer new alliances with suppliers, adjust pending collaborations, concession of facilities, or also to inform about a project they are carrying out together.

The links through digital channels are dispensable for business relationships where there is a direct and personal contact, as they are executed with greater seriousness, speed and strength.

3. Internal meetings

As a recommendation for this type of travel, the logistics must be perfect, also you have to know how to use automation tools that allow you to carry out the planning optimally, since in this type of internal meetings gather all the most important executives of the company.

4. Events, congresses or conventions

These types of events are held throughout the year, bringing together a large number of people, and are mandatory attendance due to the advantages they can bring to your company.

These events serve to expand your network of contacts, as well as to learn from other companies, allowing you to study your competition and your area of activity.

5. Technical trips

Technical trips can be given individually, by department or include all members of a team. The main purpose of this trip is to review the operation of your company's offices, an inauguration or to study new working methods in their respective new headquarters.

6. Incentive trips

This is one of the business trips that will please your staff the most, because it seeks to create and strengthen interpersonal and working relationships. The main objective of this trip is to motivate the work team after the execution of a good project, so that the leisure time and the time dedicated to work will keep your executives happy.

7. Training travels

In this type of trip, employees receive some kind of training to better perform their work in a certain area or to learn about a new work method or industry trend, generally they are short trips, one or two days.