Travel management “too complex” for one manager
Companies would need to employ 12 staff to do the work of a travel management company, according to Carlson Wagonlit Travel.
CWT claims that matching the expertise of a travel management company to manage an entire travel programme would require 12 members of staff, who between them would have the expertise required to oversee areas including IT, training, marketing and security.
CWT director of sales UK, Simone Buckley said her company is increasingly managing entire travel programmes, with a CWT consultant replacing the in-house travel manager.
She told TravelMole.com: “It used to be that companies managed their own travel and travel management companies booked the travel, but in the last few years that situation has reversed.”
Ms Buckley said CWT is witnessing growth in the use of self booking tools, but while companies are increasingly booking travel themselves, it is too complex to manage in-house.
She said: “The world of business travel has changed dramatically in recent years. It is a complex business – but now transparent in the way it operates and also responsive to market changes and needs. Increasingly sophisticated procurement techniques are being used in the purchase of travel,” she said.
She added: “I believe that outsourcing is a trend that will not only continue, but will increase in volume.”
CWT is claiming a 26% growth in business last year, with sales in excess of $1.3 billion.
Report by Ginny McGrath
Ginny McGrath
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