We understand what travel and management mean, but when we see these two words together, confusion may occur. Therefore, in this article, we’ll explore shortly the term “managed travel”; will give you some insights on differences between managed and unmanaged travel, and we’ll talk about some benefits you can expect.
What does managed travel mean?
Managed travel is that segment of the business travel market which is active under the control or managed by a corporate travel manager. As a profession, travel management is a job position related to an area of expertise practiced by professionals of a corporate travel or travel business.
What is a managed travel program?
A managed travel program is essentially the work of a TMC (travel management company) in managing all travel needs for businesses or organizations. These businesses outsource their employee travel logistics to a travel agent or travel agency which handles everything concerning travel and business. By appointing a TMC, a business can then focus on doing what it does best.
The differences between a managed travel and an unmanaged travel program.
The differences between a managed and an unmanaged travel program are quite radical.
Having no managed travel program means that employees need to book their travel themselves. Each employee will involve individually in three steps process: in booking process, waiting for management approval or budget, and time consumption. On the other side, delay in these arrangements can lead to some costly travel spending for the business itself.
In other words, unmanaged travel program forces each employee to take travel management into its own hands. In these conditions, employees have limited insights on travel options and almost no choice to how to spend and track their travel budget best.
Otherwise, a managed travel program takes care of all kinds of bookings and provides a more joyful travel experience. A TMC handles all needs and means of travel booking for the business. By appointing a TMC, a business will get rid of all the stress associated with travel booking.
Benefits when you change to a managed travel program
A switch to a managed travel program may surprise both travel managers and business travelers. Here you can read about 7 benefits associated with the travel managed program:
- Easy Booking: possibility to overview 3rd party booking platforms stored on a single platform.
- Everything under one roof: book, change, cancel, find support, itineraries viewing, direction finding, and all these from a mobile app as well.
- Centralized reporting: access to all booking data, control over expenses, management, support on department spend, reimbursement, and more. A very handful tool for future travel too.
- Expert consulting: the travel managing team can provide you with insights and ideas to better optimize your travel spend and make cost saving while maintaining a best-in-class travel practices.
- Risk management: this segment includes crisis management features and ensures you’re looking after your employees as best possible.
- Travel policies: a managed travel program ensures travel policies to be adhered to for your travel program to scale.
- Vendor and invoice consolidation: chasing down VAT receipts, rearranging invoices, managing expense reports, and making travel process enhancements along the way.
Switching to a managed travel program
Corporate travel services are changing. A travel management company can handle all your travel needs, and you can focus on doing the best. The TMC will help business travelers make their arraignments and handle a range of associated tasks. Plus, by harnessing the latest technology, organizations of all sizes can save both time and money.
Furthermore, a managed travel program will help you build a more positive and independent business culture, handle booking processes, and offer travel solutions that may enhance your travel needs.
