Travel managers face complex challenges as they seek to ensure travel efficiency, traveler well-being, and optimal decisions for business growth. The common thread that guides every choice and action in the complex process of planning and managing business travel should be data. Above all today, technology comes to the aid of Travel Managers, since self-booking tools, company platforms and reporting tools make it possible to collect all the information relating to employees' choices and travel habits in real time, efficiently and in compliance with of company travel policies. But perhaps said in such a generic way it is not possible to grasp in detail the advantages that careful data collection relating to travel promises to companies. This is why we want to explore with you the essential, indeed decisive, role that data plays in the activities of managers in the corporate travel sector.
Efficiency and Process Improvement
In Business Travel, operational efficiency is a key factor for the success of the trip which brings with it the optimization of times, costs and human resources. The first challenge that industry managers face is travel booking which includes transportation planning, accommodation management and compliance with company policies; all obviously trying to keep costs under control. Having data collection available saves Travel Managers from often acrobatic operations between needs, expectations and budgets. First, the data allows managers to analyze booking trends and preferences of their staff . This allows them to identify the most convenient and popular suppliers and to be able to negotiate better rates with airlines and facilities. Additionally, data on accommodation and transportation availability allows you to plan more efficient itineraries by reducing travel times, associated costs such as fuel and additional accommodation costs . In short, even in this case a saving margin for the company is guaranteed. Not secondarily, the data allows you to personalize travel experiences for employees, improving their satisfaction and therefore productivity, but always taking into account the company needs outlined in the travel policy .
Make more informed decisions
In the decision-making phase it is essential to have a compass available to orient oneself in the sea of offers and possibilities. Data analysis can positively influence managerial performance. Data analysis allows you to evaluate market trends, consumer behavior and past performance. For example, deep contextual knowledge helps understand which destinations are most popular in certain market conditions or which transportation options offer the best value for money in that location. Or again, data can identify weak points in processes and enable Travel Managers to negotiate better contracts with airlines (or other suppliers).
Managing challenges
The travel sector is constantly evolving, with new challenges constantly presenting themselves and which Travel Managers must be able to face, overcome and hopefully even anticipate. Again, understanding and using travel data are essential strategic axes as they allow managers to quickly adapt to changing circumstances and make informed decisions . Think about cases where flight cancellations, itinerary changes, and employee safety or health issues are looming on the horizon. How to intervene? Data analytics can even help predict and mitigate such risks. For example, weather information or health information is an irreplaceable asset to avoid being caught unprepared by unpleasant inconveniences.
Improvement of service offerings
The potential of big data allows you to collect information over time and therefore draw up reports or retrace the evolution of trends or habits . By reading and interpreting this data, travel sector managers can enhance or improve the services and rates they offer. Furthermore, the data allows managers to evaluate the company's performance over time, monitoring the effectiveness of implemented strategies, comparing current results with historical ones and drawing up forecasts. This is an ongoing activity but one that helps identify areas of success and those that require improvements or cost cuts.
A careful eye on the environment
The detailed analysis of CO2 emissions based on the choice of means of transport is essential for making informed decisions and contributing to greater environmental sustainability. The reports allow you to compare the CO2 emissions associated with different transport options , such as cars, trains, planes and buses, managing to identify the best solution based on the distance to travel. Traveling employees can in turn use this information to choose lower-emitting modes of transportation, thus actively helping to reduce the overall environmental impact. To contribute to the sustainability education of its staff, the first action that the company could take is to include rules and virtuous choices within the travel policy.
The future of travel managers is therefore closely linked to the effective use of data and this cannot do without digital tools. Alma Travel makes Almapp available to companies: an application that allows you to have a complete picture of the travel management process, from bookings to reporting the expenses of traveling employees, without ever exceeding the boundaries imposed by the travel policy. Our systems are tailor-made and process all the information from each company trip to allow precise analysis, aimed at improving the company's internal decision-making processes.
Furthermore, our applications pay particular attention to the reduction of CO2 emissions during business trips. Our systems create detailed reports on CO2 emissions based on the choice of means of transport, to help client companies make informed decisions and contribute to greater environmental sustainability.