In each issue of Business Travel Executive, the members of our Buyer Think Tank offer their individual thoughts on what’s hot, what’s cool and what’s coming next in managed travel.
The Think Tank is a team of eight veteran travel managers from programs that run the gamut in size and complexity – but each member contributes a unique viewpoint. Travel Buyer’s POV brings fresh perspectives and ideas to inspire innovation and thought leadership in the corporate travel industry.
Recently the flood of COVID-related ink in the travel media has turned from mostly negative to increasingly positive, as vaccination programs take hold and restrictions on travel begin to crumble. But all this optimism still begs the question: What will business travel look like post-COVID?
More to the point for travel managers is the matter of what their jobs will look like from this point onward. This issue of the Business Travel Executive Think Tank finds offers some prose and a bit of poetry on the matter of the travel manager’s changing roles.
New Horizons
What does the future look like for a travel manager? It is going to be a nonstop road of new partnerships.
Prior to COVID-19, the role of a travel manager would have best been described as being a part of the procurement department. The travel manager would be responsible for partnering with the procurement department, working hand and hand, to revamp pricing, review last year’s numbers and a set a new contract.
Life changed in 2020. Today, the role of a travel manager is broader than ever before. The future travel manager contributes value in every area. As part of HR, you must be compassionate towards the travelers who are fearful and have questions. You are now also responsible for rehiring the travel agents that were furloughed. Risk management meetings will be in your future calendar, helping risk management determine the correct, safest way for travelers to start traveling. Communication is your next area to be able to provide the most updated information. After a busy 2021, procurement is back and ready to help with hotel RFP’s.
The best part of being a travel manager is YOU are a part of several teams that can make a difference. YOU can provide the needed information, communicate changes and policies while renegotiating contracts.
– Chris Brockman
All Things to All People
If the last year has proven anything, it is that you don’t need travel managers anymore. Just like the invention of online booking meant that there were no more agents – Look out! The sky is falling!
All joking aside, the role of the travel manager is always evolving. A travel manager needs to be a technologist, a sourcing master, a hospitality guru, a globalist who understands geopolitical issues along with visa and immigration. Most importantly, they have to be problem solvers – this has always been a key component of the travel manager’s role.
So what’s next for a travel manager? Travel managers will need to keep honing all these qualities. We’ll need to be strategic and tactical, provider and policeman, and give people technology solutions with a personal touch. The travel manager’s future role will continue to embrace all these skills while also making sure that galactic flights don’t break the bank.
– Rosemary E. Maloney
Now More Than Ever
As vaccinations have become more widespread and restrictions are lifted not only in the US but across the globe, corporate travel will begin to rebound from its 18-month hiatus. Companies fortunate enough to have a travel manager will need their expertise more than ever to navigate the waters of health ambiguity and travel uncertainty later this year.
Duty of care will continue to be a top priority, ensuring travelers are safe and not exposed to any unnecessary risks. Furthermore, supplier contract negotiations will be an interesting exercise as the industry needs to overcome the financial losses brought on by the pandemic. Also, the data used to determine fares and rates is now outdated and truly an unknown down the road. Corporations will now need to determine a new travel budget which was not applicable in the past year and a half.
In short, travel managers will be needed to ensure the health of not only their company’s finances but their travelers as well.
– Mark Zeigler
Rhyme Time
Hello travelers, across the globe,
I’ve heard rumors that aren’t too old,
For travelers who are grounded and want to fly,
Restrictions are lifting and you’ll soon be in the sky.
Travel managers from far and near
Have a tough job, that’s what I hear.
Writing new policies is the burden we bear,
And the very first one is Duty of Care.
Travel suppliers have been in a funk,
Because their profits last year really stunk.
When it comes to new rates, they’ll have to wait,
We will be busy sharpening pencils and renegotiate.
Travel is coming back, I know for sure.
We no longer will be demure.
It’s our nature to have some sass –
They are even welcome to fly First Class.
– Wendy Palmer
