How Business Travel Agencies Can Reduce Travel Admin Stress

We all know that every plane has a seat, every hotel has a bed and there’s so much choice! So why would you need additional support from business travel agencies?

Well, in conversations with their prospective clients in 2022, 77% said they find DIY business travel too complicated. Through the services of business travel agencies, a team of travel experts will tell you which seats are more comfortable, which hotel room is best suited to your needs and what can make the whole journey smoother.

Donna Joines, General Manager of a corporate travel company explains that there’s also all the admin to think about. Arranging travel is often tagged onto other roles, like the office manager or the PA. It is okay when there are a few trips to book…but then the company grows. Or there’s a big delay. Suddenly, that small task becomes all-encompassing. Plus, as the number of trips increases, so does the company budget. Are you really keeping on top of those travel expenses and making the most of what you’re spending? 67% of those surveyed feel the need to centralise the process of managing their corporate travel, which is no surprise when you think about the booking and spending gaps.

With more questions around travel than ever at the moment, it’s crucial to have that support on your side. Managing travel can be simpler, thanks to the team at your TMC.

Siging up with a TMC is easier than you think

Many companies delay the decision to sign up with a business travel agency or travel management company (TMC) because they fear ‘the pain of change’. But with the right travel partner, change can be exciting and positive. A true travel partner will learn your company inside out and adapt its onboarding experience for your company culture and company objectives.

A TMC will take you through a structured ‘flight plan’ and can have you up and running before you know it. That includes all the onboarding admin, training, communication and change management processes, with a team by your side the whole time. You don’t have to go it alone!

When you’re up and running, there’s day-to-day support

If you’ve ever had to spend hours on hold with an airline’s call centre or had a traveller miss a flight (or lose their passport) you’ll understand the joy (and relief) of handing the problem over to someone else. Especially if you get the call at 2 am on a Sunday morning or 9 pm on a Wednesday night.

Your team might be up-and-running in terms of approval processes and bookings, but when plans change, or things go wrong, it’s great to know that you have 24-hour support. No more stressful, odd-timed calls.

Of course, there is a lot more to it. A TMC will take a long-term, strategic look at your travel programme in order to deliver a solid return on investment. But for your bookers and travellers, it’s the calm, experienced ‘voice of reason’ on the end of the line that counts. Every time.

You just can’t compromise on service

Personal service and dedicated attention are one of the obvious shortcomings of DIY travel booking. But can you believe that 84% of prospective clients feel that service is lacking in their current travel programme?

The most common pain points (which come up over and over again) include:

  • Long hold times to make itinerary changes
  • The need for more convenient payment solutions
  • The need to consolidate their travel programme
  • Budget management and the need to find savings in travel spend
  • Emergency, after-hours support
  • A good understanding of current travel protocols/travel restrictions

Ultimately, great (and let’s be honest, human) service should be a given not a nice-to-have. Make sure your potential TMC has a good track record in terms of service. Because when your travel programme is in safe hands, your travellers are happier, more confident and able to get on with the job at hand. A great TMC has a team of travel experts at your service.

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Article sourced from https://bmmagazine.co.uk/

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