Traveling for work has become a necessary part of operating a modern business. Employees must travel for meetings, conferences, and to build relationships with clients, partners and other companies in order to do their jobs effectively. While business travel is a necessary component of running a successful company, it can be costly and logistically challenging to manage. Corporate travel managers (CTM) have an important role in ensuring that the travel process is executed properly and efficiently. They are responsible for establishing travel policies, booking trips, managing expenses, and guaranteeing the safety of travelers around the world.

CTM professionals use their knowledge, negotiation abilities, and technological solutions to streamline the travel management process. This saves time, reduces costs, and improves the overall experience of employees traveling for work. Using data from various sources, including online booking tools, expense reporting systems, invoices from travel suppliers, and corporate credit card systems, the manager is also able to identify areas where cost savings can be made.

A key component of a CTM professional’s job is to communicate the company’s travel policy to their team members and ensure it is adhered to by all employees. This is accomplished by creating communication campaigns and materials that highlight the policy’s best practices and ways to stay safe while on the road.

Whether it’s recommending the safest airline for a trip, advising on the most suitable lodging, or providing recommendations for rental car services, a Corporate Travel Manager professional will always be thinking about how to make travel as smooth as possible for their company’s employees. They know that happy travelers mean higher productivity and satisfaction, so they try to make business trips as pleasant as possible by finding flight times that fit with the company’s schedule, sourcing preferred hotels, and offering a variety of options for accommodations.

While safety is a top priority for any CTM professional, they must not forget that travel can still be fun and exciting for their travelers. This is why they make a point to promote activities that can be enjoyed on the side of a business trip, such as a visit to a local museum or attraction. CTM professionals also strive to provide other forms of support for their travelers during a trip, such as 24/7 emergency support. This is especially important for those who may be in a situation that requires them to leave the comfort of their hotel room, such as when they are in a high-risk area for pick-pocketing. Having access to 24/7 support provides peace of mind and the ability to solve problems quickly. This helps to keep employees focused on their tasks and not on the stress of traveling for work.