Business Travel March-April-2021

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TMCs / Insight The many challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic mean the role of travel management consultants is changing and new skill sets are required. Travel buyers need to know their TMC can deliver in some key areas that may have been less important pre-pandemic, particularly if an organisation’s travel destinations and type wasn’t traditionally categorised as risky. Areas of focus when assessing a TMC in this new normal should now include: Traveller tracking tools Knowing the location of all travellers at any one time is essential. Tools should also allow two-way messages so that travellers can check-in, receive important updates on a trip – including new restrictions that may be in place, and provide feedback on their experience. Plus, any traveller-tracking tool should integrate with traveller profile information so that status updates on health test results can be included. Your TMC should be able to advise you on how to ensure that travellers engage correctly with the tools, most importantly so that contact details are correctly provided and they can be contacted in an emergency. 24/7 support in the event of an emergency Access to an on-call person isn’t enough. Check your TMC can provide seamless service 24/7 wherever in the world your people are. This should also include ensuring your TMC has partnerships with medical and security specialists who can arrange medical or emergency evacuations INSIGHT NEW POINT OF FOCUS What you wanted from your TMC before might not be what you need now, says ATPI's John Nixon from even the most hostile locations. Your chosen partner should have experience of arranging repatriation charters. Approach to travel approvals A comprehensive travel approvals system is going to play a more significant role in travel management than ever before. A TMC should be able to advise clients about the entire process and should help to establish a protocol for a ‘permission to travel’ policy. This policy cannot be linked to cost alone, and must integrate sign-off from HR, risk management, as well as finance teams. Focusing on addressing the permission process ensures traveller wellbeing is at the centre of all decisions, and saves time if only the roles and departments where travel is permitted have access to relevant systems. Flexibility Policies and processes need to be revised constantly, and therefore the technology tools that support them need to fit-forpurpose in an ever-changing world. Your relationship with your TMC should have some flexibility too, as travel volumes are likely to have peaks and troughs for some time. This means that other supporting services such as duty of care packages need to also be flexible and take into account a different approach to travel. A one-size-fits all approach will not be suitable, or cost conscious. Good people The far-reaching impact of the pandemic means travel and duty of care policies will include more planning for extreme scenarios than ever before. Innovative technology is an enabler of excellent service, but TMCs would be nowhere without brilliant people. Technology will continue to play an integral role, but the role of experienced and exceptional people with a robust understanding of not just the business travel sector, but the industries important to their clients, has never been so important. JOHN NIXON John Nixon is Global Director of Operations for ATPI Group, which comprises ATPI Corporate Travel, Direct ATPI, ATPI Marine & Energy, ATPI Mining & Resources, ATPI Corporate Events and ATPI Sports Events. He joined in 2018. iSTOCK.COM/YURI_ARCURS 22 THEBUSINESSTRAVELMAG.COM
A lot is changing in business travel. But what won’t change is how we care for our customers. Want to know how BCD is making a difference? Go to bcdtravel.com © 2021 BCD Travel. All rights reserved. 2103-XX_BTM-PrintAd_CJ2.indd 2 3/4/21 3:37 PM
Page 1 and 2: 84 March/April 2021 BRIGHTER HORIZO
Page 3 and 4: UP FRONT Contents MARCH-APRIL 2021
Page 5 and 6: Welcome Spring into action Whether
Page 7 and 8: UP FRONT SPEAKING OUT We have come
Page 9 and 10: Think you know serviced apartments?
Page 11 and 12: THE NEWS REVIEW T H E B U S I N E S
Page 13 and 14: THE NEWS REVIEW T H E B U S I N E S
Page 15 and 16: TRAVEL MANAGEMENT CoMPANIES Y O U R
Page 17 and 18: Introduction / TMCs TIME out The bu
Page 19 and 20: Introduction / TMCs 38% said they e
Page 21 and 22: Covid response / TMCs THEBUSINESSTR
Page 23 and 24: Traveller safety & cost control? Ye
Page 25 and 26: Consolidation / TMCs Size is no gua
Page 27 and 28: Strike a balance Do you spend every
Page 29 and 30: The 2020 Directory / TMCs Business
Page 31 and 32: The 2020 Directory / TMCs Business
Page 33 and 34: Fees / TMCs Underlying health condi
Page 35: Good Good Travel Travel Management
Page 39 and 40: taxis GrOUnd and transPOrt transfer
Page 41 and 42: Eco solution Go Electric. Operate y
Page 43 and 44: WELLBEING POSITIVE thinking As comp
Page 46 and 47: ACCOMMODATION Rise and SHINE Four e
Page 48 and 49: ACCOMMODATION home-cooked food, an
Page 50 and 51: DEPARTURES Reality check FLIGHT: QA
Page 52: Save the date SEPTEMBER 14-15, 2021

Business Travel March-April-2021

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