Quickstart Guide to Creating a Travel Program for your Business
Welcome to the Ultimate Guide to Creating an Efficient Travel Program for your company. In the next few weeks, we will outline how to manage and achieve an efficient travel program that will have an immediate positive impact across your organization.
It’s important to note that developing and implementing a comprehensive travel program takes time, so you should not wait to get started! In the meantime, create an interim program immediately that will generate an impact right away.
Get started now by following these 4 steps:
- Define the scope of your travel program
Travel is connected to many areas of your organization, so you need to understand exactly what internal resources are available to you, and based on those, estimate a budget for your program. Your budget doesn’t have to be set in stone, but it will help to have a number in mind based on your travel expenditure so you can build a program that fits your needs without overspending.
- Do your research
Research airlines that travel to your top markets, keeping in mind any necessary connections and optimal flight times. Take a look at your company travel culture in order to understand traveler behavior. Keep in mind that your travel program should not only be efficient and effective, but convenient to your travelers and sensitive to their needs.
- Narrow down a list of preferred suppliers
Take cues from whatever suppliers your travelers currently use and select preferred hotels that are in close proximity to your company’s offices. Narrow your list down to one or two options for preferred airlines, hotels and car rental services, taking into consideration both price and convenience. Remember that the more volume you channel towards a specific supplier, the more negotiating power you will have when it comes to pricing.
- Create a concise Travel Policy
Once you have a defined list of preferred suppliers and a deeper understanding of company travel culture, create a quick and concise policy on how to book them. This will set the foundation of your travel program and get your travelers accustomed to the processes that will soon be in place while you develop a permanent solution.
