These days most companies are looking for ways to limit the time and money spent on their travel needs. But did you know business travel is a leading factor influencing economic growth in the country?
On average, US business travelers spend $949 on travel fees. US domestic and international business travel generates an annual revenue of approximately $387 billion.
So it is no surprise that most companies want someone with expertise to handle their corporate travel management. Although, it can be hard to find the perfect travel consultant.
But first, you need to understand what a corporate travel consultant can do. So, let us jump in!
What is a Corporate Travel Consultant?
The role of a corporate travel consultant is to assist organizations in setting up travel plans for their staff. Their job includes managing flight plans, accommodation, rental cars, and customer care assistance. Travel consultants will ensure that business travel is safe, effective, and cost-efficient for the company.
What does a Corporate Travel Consultant do?
Advice on The Best Options
A travel consultant understands your needs. They create travel programs tailored to your requirements. They can help you with all kinds of situations. As professionals, they know all the little things you might not have thought of when planning your trip. In a nutshell, their experience gives them the know-how to avoid any issues.
It can be hard to know a service once you experience it. Reviews online may only sometimes be correct; what if you change your mind while trying to find the best rates? That is where corporate travel agents come in. They know which flight plans or hotel services to recommend and which to avoid. Additionally, they will talk directly to your travelers about the experience. If you are unhappy with a service, they will help ensure your future travel arrangements align with your corporate travel policy.
Personalized Itineraries
Your corporate travel management needs are understood when working with a travel consultant. A consultant will create a tailored travel plan to meet individual needs. If your employee needs a travel visa for an international trip, you can trust that a travel consultant will handle that. They will help you with all the necessary papers and manage the administrative and complicated details.
A travel consultant is an expert at planning an itinerary. They will organize travel from start to finish, including arrangements for tickets, accommodation, transport, and food when needed. A travel consultant can also amend your travel plans at any time. For a professional travel consultant, arranging last-minute changes without any inconvenience to the traveler is no big deal. They have the expertise to deal with all kinds of last-minute changes on the road; rest assured, the business trip will be hassle-free.
Savings
A travel consultant can help businesses get the most competitive prices on flights and hotels. Many corporate travel management companies build relationships with their travel partners, allowing them to offer better rates for flights, hotels, and ground transport. This factor can influence the total amount of money spent on travel, making it more cost-effective to hire a corporate travel company. They can help businesses save money by avoiding the more expensive rates you pay when traveling directly.
Travel Information
If you are planning a trip, a travel consultant will give you all the info you need on everything from passport, visa, flight timings, and health mandates of the places you visit. Even better, they will arm you with maps, local currency information, and about events like festivals and holidays.
Drafting the Corporate Travel Policy
No matter how big or small your business is, your company probably sends employees on business trips. Hence, hiring a travel consultant will ensure you have the right policies and policies. The corporate travel consultant will enforce these guidelines so everyone follows the travel policies.
They will create a travel program that is consistent, cost-effective, and meet legal and safety standards. Most businesses have a budget for flights, car rentals, and hotel costs. The consultant will incorporate that into these rules.
Policy Adherence
The role of travel consultants is to ensure that your employees understand and adhere to your travel policies and practices. They will work closely with you and your travelers to ensure employees adhere to these guidelines and benefit from your travel program.
They will educate your team on what is acceptable according to the corporate policy. Hiring a business travel consultant will help you avoid wasting time being the watchdog for everyone to follow travel policies.
Negotiates Corporate Contracts
They use their expertise and connections to work with airline companies, hotels, and other travel partners to get you the best deals and terms. Negotiating travel deals can cut down on your travel expenses.
Compiles Reports
Company travel consultants produce comprehensive travel reports that provide management with a comprehensive view of travel expenses, compliance requirements, and traveler behavior. This factor enables management to make informed decisions based on the data and identify areas for improvement in order to manage expenses efficiently.
Uses Advanced Analytics
Advanced analytics tools allow travel consultants to analyze travel data and identify cost-reduction possibilities. By watching travel trends, spending tendencies, and key performance indicators, consultants can offer advice to enhance your travel program.
Location Research
Travel consultants research the destinations their clients want to visit and learn about the regional conditions, language, culinary tastes, traditions, hotels, and other information to support their clients. Consultants also equip themselves with the latest updates to guide their clients.
Comprehensive Service
Business travel consultants can make sure you have the ideal flight service, accommodation, and transfers to and from the airport. They can also help you with local currency for the trip, make sure you have travel insurance, arrange parking, pick up and drop off places for conferences and events, and more. You can travel without any stress and feel protected.
The Bottom Line: Corporate Travel Consultant is a Much-Needed Service
There are several benefits to working with a corporate travel consultant, but it is vital to know if they are the right fit for your business.
With the help of the latest technology like ITILITE, you can rule out the issue of working with a broker. You have complete control over your business trips. Ultimately, it comes down to what your company needs, your travel budget, and what you want from your travel program. Check out the options and pick the one that best fits your corporate travel management goals!