At the heart of corporate travel policy: the travel manager
The importance of business travel for companies is well established. While for some employees it is a source of stress and anxiety, for many others it is a particularly gratifying experience.
While the average business travel budget for very large companies is in the millions of euros, the figure for smaller companies is much lower. Nevertheless, in both cases, the time has come to optimize the budget.
The role of the travel manager is a natural one. He or she is the person who will define the company's travel policy. As the interface between the company, the employee and even the travel agencies, the travel manager occupies a central position and role.
The travel manager defines the company's business travel policy
The increase in business travel within companies, coupled with their desire to save as much as possible, has led to the creation of the travel manager function. Over the years, it has become essential for companies of all sizes to manage their employees' business travel.
The first role of a travel manager is to define the company's business travel policy. More concretely, this involves determining the rules governing travel by company employees. But also to draw employees' attention to the economic and environmental issues associated with travel.
To be as effective as possible, its recommendations must be clear and precise. But even more importantly, they must be applied by all employees. It's important to point out that the travel manager's role is not that of a policeman. He or she will not exercise control over employees. He or she can, however, evaluate the application of the recommendations by all employees, and obtain the information needed to explain any misapplication.
As travel policies often evolve with changes within the company, the travel manager will also have a role to play in supporting employees.
Accompanying employees before, during and after travel
As companies evolve, so do the various policies linked to business travel. It's a fact of life that can be difficult for all company employees to grasp. The travel manager therefore also has an educational role to play. He or she is the one who will ensure the company's communication around the rules established, the savings made and the changes to be envisaged. They listen to their staff and take into account their feedback to improve the company's travel policy.
In short, the travel manager is the person who will manage the planning and organization of all the company's business travel. To do this, he or she relies on increasingly sophisticated technological tools. He or she is also responsible for raising employee awareness of the company's travel policy. Last but not least, they negotiate contracts with the various categories of service providers.
It's impossible to talk about the role of the travel manager without mentioning the rather recent developments in their field of activity. Always at the heart of the company's business travel policy, it is no longer unusual for the travel manager to also manage the vehicle fleet. He or she constantly analyzes travelers' needs and difficulties, payment issues and many other administrative aspects that can weigh down management. He acts as an interface between management, employees and even specialized travel agencies.
Act as an interface between company management, employees and specialized travel agencies
In their ongoing quest for the best services at the lowest cost, companies are increasingly turning to business travel agencies such as CTA Business Travel.
Searching for and booking tickets or hotel services at the best prices is no easy task. It takes time and experience. An independent consultant like CTA Travel Business can offer you the benefit of its expertise. Its network of partners is at your disposal. You'll be able to make substantial savings.
In light of the above, the question of the travel manager's role once again arises. It is the travel manager who first negotiates with the independent travel consultant. He is the one who informs him of the company's expectations and communicates the specifications.
It's important to bear in mind that, while using a specialized travel agency relieves you of all logistical concerns, it doesn't call into question its role within the company.
CTA Business Travel takes particular account of the constraints imposed by the company via the travel manager, and provides a customizable online tool. Each client company's travel policy is configured in the interface and automatically applied to all services.
Your personalized audit
Would you like a personalized audit of your business travel needs?
Our experts are at your disposal: