ENSURE YOU HAVE A CLEAR-CUT TRAVEL POLICY SET UPA well-defined travel policy is an essential (and cost-effective) manner of effective travel management. A specified travel policy should outline clearly stipulated guidelines for many employees with regards to responsibilities and while traveling; travel arrangements and travel expenses flights.

There are always a numerous factors to consider when compiling a journey policy for your company.

Although cost-effectiveness is an essential requirement, it is essential that you don't jeopardies the safety and quality of travel service, in addition to compromise on travelling employees' travel needs. Offer a small selection of options that enable employees to select the one that suits them the best. You can avoid unnecessary compromise even more by letting employees offer their thoughts and/ opinions through the decision-making process.

Always make sure that you always have your employees' up-to-date contact details available, in case there is emergencies.

Responsibility regarding expenses - personal, business, leisure etc. - must often be clearly and precisely set out.

GET A GRIP ON TRAVEL TECHTravel planning has undoubtedly been revolutionised by the rise of online booking apps. The difficulty with the escalation in availability of such tools is choosing what type to use for your company travel planning.

A good option is to really have a 'personalised' online booking tool that's been custom made according for you business' particular travel policies and needs. Although having your personal travel tech has its advantages - such as for example to be able to increase efficiency with built-in approval processes and managing your travel at any time - there are a few disadvantages that needs to be noted. The first designing and assembly, in addition to the continued administration, of a custom online booking tool could be rather steep. Another drawback is that all the investigation necessary will be your responsibility. It begs the question whether the convenience is worth the mandatory effort and cost.

A very good option would be to take advantage of a journey management company (TMC). Working together with a TMC means acquire a skilled travel management asset that's a devoted travel manager. A vacation manager can assist you to make the very best travel decisions, based on your own unique business requirements. Further benefits include help with a variety of other details, such as for example VISA applications; arranging ground transport; arranging Forex and taking care of travel emergencies.

The smart choice should be to use a combination of the two. The benefits of TMCs are clear and they often have an online booking tool that companies can use. In this manner you receive best of both - the convenience and control of managing your travel bookings yourself, in addition to the individual support and assistance with more difficult and/ or time-consuming processes.

ENSURE TRAVELLING EMPLOYEES' SAFETYAlthough business travel is a vital and probable part of most businesses, is doesn't come without risks. A company features a duty of care to its employees. This implies it features a legal (and moral) obligation to elude danger of injury to a worker during a company trip, around possible. The onus is for you (the travel planner) to ensure that all the appropriate safety plans and measures come in place. This implies assigning sufficient travel insurance, which includes medical cover, lost luggage, flight cancellations, in addition to natural disasters and terrorism and everything in between.

Employees must be informed of the associated risks of the destinations, before travelling, and have to be informed of the course of action to check out just in case there is a journey emergency.

It's imperative to always know where your companies travelling employees without exception. There's a variety of apps and online tools that you should use to hold monitoring of and stay touching your travellers.

PRE-BOOK TO SAVEYou can save more once you plan ahead as it pertains to making travel arrangements. Research has proven that business travellers who only book their flights a day beforehand - can find yourself paying around 200% more due to their flights.

In contrast - airfares are generally the lowest priced from three weeks and more prior to the departure date. Employing an advanced purchase strategy, you can reduce or moderate the influence of price fluctuations on your own company's travel budget. Although it's not always possible to book to date beforehand as meetings and schedules are often changed at the final minute), it is unquestionably worth your time and effort in the long term.

APPOINT THE MOST QUALIFIED PERSONTravel planning is no easy task - it's far more than coordinating itineraries. The responsibilities of a journey manager vary from bookings, policy management, budget approvals, reporting and handling travel emergencies. Then there's the time-consuming task of finding probably the most affordable flights, ground transport, accommodation etc.

Managing your company's travel plans yourself has some advantages, such as for example great understanding of the requirements and schedules of your travellers. However, employing a skilled and well-equipped corporate travel agencies could save you a great deal of the hassle. Quality TMCs have an extensive understanding and understanding of the travel industry, which empowers them to learn when, how and where to get and book the very best offers. Furthermore, TMCs often have global buying power and long-standing relationships with suppliers - which provide you with the added good thing about to be able to secure discounted fares on larger travel volumes.