Making Corporate Travel Arrangements
Work-related travel can be the ideal way to experience new cultures and destinations to build a network, and seal sales. However, it can be expensive and difficult to manage. All sizes of companies struggle to find a balance between costs, employee comfort and policies with compliance.
When it involves making arrangements for travel there are several different people involved: travel managers and travel agents online booking tools and employees traveling for work. Each of them has a role and responsibilities in the process.
A travel manager typically manages the whole corporate travel program, as well as relationships with travel companies such as hotels and airlines. They can negotiate discounted rates or contracted rates that are not available to individuals. They can also use the global distribution system (GDS) to search for flight and hotel options for employees, thereby saving them time and stress by not having to contact each supplier individually.
The travel management team also search for venues for major events and meetings to ensure that they are suitable for the expected audience size and the logistics of the meeting. They can also make reservations for hotels, restaurants, and convention centers to host the event.
Many companies have an entire team of software developers or technology experts who develop and maintain the company’s travel booking system, as well as other applications that keep track of expenses, convert currencies, or provide navigation. These apps are useful for employees who are constantly on the move and help them keep an eye on their expense reports, as well as keeping employees informed of important workplace changes and updates.