Changing the face of
business travel
With the world becoming more and more of a global village, the
need for business travel is constantly on the rise. Thank goodness
for specialist travel management companies, writes Simon Phage
industries such as the energy sector, knowledge on the latest travel-
which is one of the most travel- management strategies, but it will
intensive and demanding industries. also have global clout. This translates
into better prices for national
What is travel management? clients from global experience and
Travel management goes beyond bargaining power.
simply finding the cheapest flights. • Ensure that your TMC’s offices are
It’s about an overall strategy that wholly owned and look into their
takes all aspects of a company’s travel technology platform: a company
requirements into consideration. A TMC that operates on one standardised
will ideally build a travel programme platform and one database across
l
that will not only benefit the company all their operations is sure to have
in terms of time and cost but will very little or no delays, confusion, or
also add considerable value to the mishaps with changes and updates of
company’s travel activities, providing schedules and information between
a total travel-management solution. In branches in different countries.
t
r
a
v
e
addition, a TMC will provide guidance • It’s essential that your TMC has a 24-
and consultation and provide the hour emergency contact centre: the
|
company with tools that they can use larger and better TMCs will have their
in-house that will improve all aspects of contact centre in-house, with their
U
managing and processing travel. own consultants on call. This ensures
R
Simon Phage is the Vice- In addition, a TMC will have partners
they’ll know exactly how to assist you
President of Operations in Africa for
U
and agreements in place that can take and what is going on with your travel
Wings Corporate Travel. For more advantage of lower fares or flights that
programme when you call in.
G
information contact Wings Corporate may not otherwise be available. It will
• Check that the TMC you want to use
Travel on 011 292 5000 or visit
also have the specialist knowledge, has effective reporting tools: in-depth
www.wings.travel
global technology, multinational reporting is not only useful to see
branches and facilities to co-ordinate how effective a travel programme is,
T
ravel management is the
highly effective travel programmes, but also assists in enhancing future
effective development,
which would often be impossible for a travel programmes to maximise time
management and measurement
company to achieve in-house. and spend.
of a travel programme. This is done
TMCs have become vital to the • Source a TMC that is meticulous with
with the aim of not only reducing total
make-up of modern companies, quality assurance and monitoring of
cost of ownership but also to create
especially in times such as the service levels: quality plays a huge
a more effective travel programme,
present economic environment where role in effective travel management.
resulting in maximised returns on a
companies are looking at every aspect Make sure that the TMC you choose
travel investment.
of their business in trying to cut down has a very high regard for quality that
Travel management has come into
on costs. is backed up by an internationally
its own over the last decade or so.
accredited organisation. Just
Increasing globalisation has resulted Choosing a TMC
saying they’re quality conscious
in companies having to travel more in Keep in mind the following pointers
is not enough. Check for one of
order to conduct their business. This when shopping around for a TMC:
the highest quality-management
has necessitated the introduction of • Look for a multinational: not only
systems available, such as the ISO
dedicated specialist travel management are there obvious benefits for global
accreditation. ISO-accredited TMCs
companies (TMCs). These companies travel, but also distinct benefits
ensure consistent service processes
have developed over time, in sync for local travel. Not only will a
across the globe and further ensure a
with the growing demand from specific multinational TMC pass on global
high standard of customer service.
30
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