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Business Review 2006 from
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Travel trade is staging a recovery
Carl Winn
Travelmaker
Having suffered a large downturn over the past few years, travel agents are now seeing marked signs of recovery in the business travel market.
Many business travellers started to make their own bookings with the advent of travel sales on the Internet, which saw a big boom for Internet companies like Expedia and Lastminute.
The general downturn in international travel after September the 11th hit all travel markets and it has taken some time for business travel, as an industry, to reposition itself with the right offer for clients.
These trends have definitely reversed over the last year as many travel agents have adapted their offer to create additional value and many business travellers now wish to take advantage of the professional expertise of a business travel consultant.
It is a well-accepted truth that in business, time is money, and furthermore, that many wealthy business travellers are cash-rich, time-poor. With many meetings to attend and staff movements to cater for, business managers are increasingly turning to a business travel consultant to help them plan all their business journeys from door to door, including transfers, flights, accommodation, dining and entertainment.
Deals
A business travel expert will know how to minimise delays, ensure quick transfers and take a holistic approach to getting you the right deals for your business.
By developing a strong working relationship, a business travel consultant can help design a travel logistics package that suits your company needs and to help you plan, analyse and deliver your bespoke travel arrangements in a confidential one-to-one service.
Being able to rely on the expertise of a business travel consultant can reap big benefits, as bookings made with a lack of knowledge often increases the inconvenience and costs of doing business. Sometimes, taking what appears to be the cheapest option is not the most convenient, and isn't suited to ensuring the greatest possible overall value to a client.
One flight may be cheaper than another, but if it increases the costs of transfers to your hotel and business district and involves a less convenient flying schedule then a consultant can help you realise the hidden costs.
A specialist travel agent can provide an itemised monthly bill which will detail and breakdown travel expenditure, helping businesses to better track and reduce their operating costs.
Some travel agents, including Travelmaker, can also provide credit and payment services allowing clients to pay simple monthly invoices instead of processing multiple transactions. Travelmaker can order money and provide commission-free foreign currency exchanges and help track expenditure for a client company.
Busy
Business travel consultants are increasingly working with corporate clients to develop entertainment packages as busy executives look to find ways to include leisure activities into busy schedules.
Employing a travel consultant with a great deal of experience in organising group, sports and corporate tours helps ensure that clients can find the time to wind down when they are away on business, helping keep the client's workforce rested, fresh and invigorated for the challenges ahead.
By taking advantage of professional travel consultancy services a client can be assured of excellent service focusing on individual needs.
Taking advantage of transfers, insurance, money-ordering, hotel bookings and car hire without paying service charge, is an asset to your business.
Enjoying the benefits of discounting from your booking agent and the convenience factor of making the right bookings through a travel consultant can help you reach for the skies.
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