Travel managers are becoming pivotal players in corporate success in a rapidly transforming business landscape. BCD Travel’s latest global survey of 187 travel buyers sheds light on the evolving responsibilities, heightened collaboration, and increasing demand for technology in the corporate travel sector. As businesses face growing complexity in travel management, the insights reveal how travel managers navigate expanded roles and drive strategic outcomes.
Expanded Responsibilities: A New Era for Travel Management
The scope of travel managers’ responsibilities has significantly widened, reflecting the evolving nature of their roles. According to the survey, 68% of travel managers now oversee travel sourcing, while 51% are responsible for payment and expense management. Many have even taken on tasks traditionally handled by procurement and management departments outside travel.
Time investment has shifted towards fostering travel program strategy, managing TMC (Travel Management Company) relationships (53%), and enhancing traveller communications (47%). These responsibilities are increasingly underpinned by priorities such as cost control, data analysis, and adapting to industry shifts, including New Distribution Capability (NDC).
“Travel managers today are at the intersection of strategy and execution, aligning corporate travel programs with overarching business objectives,” said Jorge Cruz, Executive Vice President of Global Sales & Marketing at BCD Travel. “The ability to manage costs, optimize data, and respond to industry changes is making them invaluable assets to their organizations.”
Collaborating Across Departments to Drive Organizational Goals
Collaboration is now a cornerstone of travel management. With 71% of travel teams actively participating in multi-departmental projects, their strategic influence is evident across corporate finance, procurement, sustainability, and security initiatives.
The survey highlights that 58% of travel managers engage with procurement teams, and 43% collaborate with finance daily or weekly. Interactions with sustainability and security teams have notably increased, emphasizing the alignment of travel management with environmental goals and duty-of-care requirements.
Structural Shifts: Aligning Travel Teams with Corporate Strategy
Over two-thirds of travel teams report to departments such as procurement (39%), finance (19%), or HR (11%). This organizational alignment underscores travel managers’ integral budgeting and resource allocation roles.
Team structures also vary significantly:
- 33% of travel teams consist of four to six global members.
- 25% operate with teams of over ten members.
Interestingly, 46% of travel managers leverage external consultants, signalling a growing reliance on external expertise to manage complex travel programs.
Technology and Tools: Bridging the Gap
Despite the growing scope of responsibilities, many travel managers face budgetary constraints. While 60% feel equipped with adequate tools, nearly half (46%) report insufficient budgets for necessary travel technology and services.
This shortfall impacts the ability to implement advanced solutions like business intelligence tools, spend management automation, and carbon reduction technologies. Nevertheless, travel managers report high satisfaction with their level of authority, stakeholder support, and work-life balance, though career development requires attention.
Sustainability and Innovation: Paving the Way Forward
As sustainability becomes a cornerstone of corporate strategies, travel managers are leading in integrating environmental goals into travel programs. BCD Travel’s solutions, such as carbon reduction management and traveller engagement platforms, empower organizations to meet these demands while enhancing overall program efficiency.
“From driving sustainability to leveraging data insights, today’s travel managers are instrumental in achieving business objectives,” Cruz stated. “Our commitment is to provide them with cutting-edge tools and research to overcome challenges and capitalize on opportunities.”
Strategic Insights for the Future
This survey highlights the challenges travel managers face and underscores their indispensable role in shaping the future of corporate travel. With increased collaboration, innovative tools, and strategic alignment, travel managers are poised to drive transformational changes across organizations.
BCD Travel offers a comprehensive suite of services for businesses seeking expert solutions to modern travel complexities. Learn more about their offerings here.
Conclusion
As the corporate travel landscape continues to evolve, the importance of empowering travel managers with the right tools and resources cannot be overstated. Their growing influence in sustainability, data-driven decision-making, and cross-departmental collaboration positions them as strategic leaders in the corporate world.
For companies aiming to stay ahead in this dynamic environment, investing in travel management capabilities is not just a necessity—it’s a competitive advantage.
Written by: Octavia Koo
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