Managing corporate travel can be a daunting task for many businesses. From making sure employees have the right travel documents to ensuring their safety while on the road, there is a lot to consider when it comes to corporate travel management. To help make things a bit easier, here are tips that can help businesses better manage their corporate travel. With these tips, businesses can ensure their employees have safe and comfortable travel experiences while keeping costs to a minimum.
1) Define the Purpose of the Trip
Defining your purpose of the trip is a great way to start organizing and making good decisions. The type of trip you are taking will depend on what you need. Different purposes include research, negotiations, entertainment, business meetings, and so forth. One step in creating a successful corporate travel plan is determining the purpose of the trip and matching that with an appropriate destination and length of stay. A business meeting will require a lot more planning than say an entertainment trip. Before you finalize anything, get all stakeholders involved in the decision-making process to be sure everyone is on board with where you’re going and why. The last thing anyone wants is to find out they’ve been sent to Ireland when they wanted Iceland!
2) Set a Budget
Setting a budget is important, but it’s just the first step in better corporate travel management. If you are on a tight budget, plan your trips to be at least 7 days long so that you will have enough vacation time to take care of everything else that needs attention while away. Take advantage of alternate transportation and consider airfare packages with layovers in different locations. And when possible, stay off peak weekends which will typically have higher rates than weekday rates.
3) Choose the Right Destination
Choosing the right destination is an essential aspect of corporate travel management. It’s important to find a location that will keep your employees happy and productive, as well as give them the opportunity to be more engaged with the culture of your company. There are many factors to consider when choosing the right destination.
4) Book the Right Accommodation
Booking the right accommodation is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a travel planner. If you’re staying in a city for a few days, opt for a hotel close to public transportation, restaurants, and other entertainment so that your employees can take advantage of these amenities on their own time. But if you’re staying in an unfamiliar place for more than a day or two, book an apartment or stay with locals so that your employees are able to settle in and get used to their surroundings before going off on their own.