If you’ve never been a travel manager before, it sounds like a dream job where you spend all your time booking business vacations for your employeesIn reality, this is part of the role, but many responsibilities go along with the duty.
As a corporate travel manager, you’re on the ground floor of every aspect of trip planningexecutionFrom designing travel policies to ensuring each traveler returns without a (serious) hitch, it’s all on your capable shoulders.
Thinking about making this role your next career path? Here are some of the most important responsibilities you’ll handle in your travel manager position.
1DesigningUpdating Travel Policies
Travel policies are the rulesworkflows those involved in a company’s business trip planning must followThese policies are usually combined in one central “book” that is easily accessible as necessary.
Part of your job is to outline the procedures required when employees need approval for a business trip, how they go about booking their travel,what expenses arearen’t coveredThe more thoroughclearcut the policy is, the fewer questions you’ll need to answer from confused employees.
The corporate policy book is a fluid document that will need continual updatingCOVID-19 showed us one glaring example of this necessityMost business travel policies weren’t ready to handle the restrictions of the pandemic, but now, things like hygienesanitization are permanent parts of the hospitality industry.
It’s up to you to follow the latest changes that affect aspects of employee travelupdate the corporate policies to reflect them.
2Implementing Effective Technology
Using technology in the office is an evolutionary experience, never staying the same for longWhat works today may be obsolete tomorrow.
As the travel manager, your role includes staying at the forefront of these changes as they come down the pipeline.
The softwarehardware you’re currently using to book travel should be the latestgreatest,your staff must know how to operate their partThey’ll be using it to make arrangements, turn in per diems,complete other essential paperwork.
Your Booking Tools Matter
Sounds simple enough, right?
While it’s not difficult, it can be complexTravel booking companies are always fighting to stay relevant by adapting their programs to better serve the consumerWe all have individual preferences, so these adjustments might or might not benefit your company.
It’s up to you to provide your employees with booking tools that they can use efficientlyseamlessly while staying in line with the company’s travel program compliance requirements.
It’s a fine line to walk, but the right technology apps make it easierIf the current software program you’re using makes it a struggle to balance user satisfactionbusiness budgetingcompliance, it’s time to change the travel technology in your office.
3Keeping Your Travelers Safe
Setting up the logistics of a trip, from transportation to lodgingper diems, is the easy partMuch of those processes are automated or done by the employee, with your approval.
The hard part is keeping your travelers safe in the midst of variables you can’t controlYour responsibility is for the well-being of each personIt’s considered a duty of care that falls to your position.
How the Right Tools Minimize Risk
Your travel policy procedures must be designed with safetysecuritymeasures that meet legal regulationsIf your employee needs help while they’re on a trip that you sent them on, it’s your legal duty of care to aid them.
The business travel tools you use can help minimize these issuesFor example, if a flight is delayed,it looks like your traveler is going to miss their connection, the booking tool should warn youWith enough time, you can adjust the next flight, alert your employee,reduce their stress.
Riskcrisis management are a vital part of your roleYour employees rely on you to handle any hiccup or emergency that they can’t take care of themselvesThe processes you have in place in your corporate policy book help, but they’re not a substitute for real-time human care.
Conclusion
Travel managers have a vast job duty definition that involves socializing, booking trips,handling paperwork until it’s all completedThere’s never a dull moment for long,your days won’t look the same.
If this sounds up your alley, you could be the ideal person for a corporate travel management role.
