Selecting Your Business Travel Agency
Business travel agencies are third-party brokers of travelling services for corporations. They liaise with the businessman or corporation with the service providers such as airlines, taxi services, hotels, car rentals or tour firms. This service is crucial in allowing the business to focus on its core operations. However, some large corporations that entail frequent travel would establish their own travelling department. Small companies normally outsource to these travel agencies.
Business travel agencies aid in removing the bureaucracy from a company's operations. With globalization and expansion of businesses to new regions, business travel has become part and parcel of ambitious corporations. But how would it be if a salesperson was to handle his travel arrangements? He would have to contact the airline, book his accommodate and arrange for transportation from airport to hotel all while being expected to perform his official duties. But with the advent of specialized service providers of business travel, this has been reduced to merely giving travel agencies a call.
There are numerous business travel agencies today. To select the most appropriate service provider requires extensive research and also awareness of the exact package that your business desires. The basic working of such an arrangement is that the corporate travel agency would make all the travel plans for you and charge your company.
The first check box to tick is the pricing of the service. With the cut throat competition in business travel, you will be surprised that the prices are surprisingly friendly especially for small businesses. You must consider a long term relationship with the business travel agency so that you can be able to negotiate for lower prices through discounts. Some agencies would also go the extra mile to save your expenses by shopping for the cheapest services available for your budget. The billing should also be clear with no hidden or unexplained charges.
Another criterion to judge a corporate travel provider is the mode of communication. If they have a website, does it allow for online requisition? How long is their response time? The reason you have looked to outsource is to save yourself time. Therefore if the agent does not make the job easier then you shouldn't consult them. The best business travel agencies also have time frames available for booking or finalizing arrangements. If you have a short notice, the best agents will facilitate for you without qualms.
The third factor to look at is the reputation and reliability of the travel agency. Well known service providers should have referrals or testimonials. You could ask a friend about his provider and his experiences with them. Despite the expense, it is better to invest in a travel agency that will not disappoint your company.
Unforeseen occurrences can lead to you making cancellations. You should consult with the travel agencies to see how they deal with this and other emergencies. Ask for the penalties or refund rates that they offer. Their support system must be able to deal with such queries satisfactorily. Overall, mutual satisfaction must be the basis of your engagement with business travel agencies.
Business travel agencies aid in removing the bureaucracy from a company's operations. With globalization and expansion of businesses to new regions, business travel has become part and parcel of ambitious corporations. But how would it be if a salesperson was to handle his travel arrangements? He would have to contact the airline, book his accommodate and arrange for transportation from airport to hotel all while being expected to perform his official duties. But with the advent of specialized service providers of business travel, this has been reduced to merely giving travel agencies a call.
There are numerous business travel agencies today. To select the most appropriate service provider requires extensive research and also awareness of the exact package that your business desires. The basic working of such an arrangement is that the corporate travel agency would make all the travel plans for you and charge your company.
The first check box to tick is the pricing of the service. With the cut throat competition in business travel, you will be surprised that the prices are surprisingly friendly especially for small businesses. You must consider a long term relationship with the business travel agency so that you can be able to negotiate for lower prices through discounts. Some agencies would also go the extra mile to save your expenses by shopping for the cheapest services available for your budget. The billing should also be clear with no hidden or unexplained charges.
Another criterion to judge a corporate travel provider is the mode of communication. If they have a website, does it allow for online requisition? How long is their response time? The reason you have looked to outsource is to save yourself time. Therefore if the agent does not make the job easier then you shouldn't consult them. The best business travel agencies also have time frames available for booking or finalizing arrangements. If you have a short notice, the best agents will facilitate for you without qualms.
The third factor to look at is the reputation and reliability of the travel agency. Well known service providers should have referrals or testimonials. You could ask a friend about his provider and his experiences with them. Despite the expense, it is better to invest in a travel agency that will not disappoint your company.
Unforeseen occurrences can lead to you making cancellations. You should consult with the travel agencies to see how they deal with this and other emergencies. Ask for the penalties or refund rates that they offer. Their support system must be able to deal with such queries satisfactorily. Overall, mutual satisfaction must be the basis of your engagement with business travel agencies.
Source...