Travel managers are "corporate cost heroes" - Maguire
As travel spend continues to fall in 2009 the importance of travel management is rising, a survey by the National Business Travel Association (NBTA) has revealed.
A March poll of 119 corporate travel managers found that nearly 85% of companies have decreased travel spend since October.
A further 70% expect the decrease to continue through 2009.
But 53% said new travel management cost-cutting measures had saved their companies more than $50,000 since October.
"In a time when corporations are suffering because of a down economy, travelling smarter becomes a top priority," NBTA president and ceo Kevin Maguire said.
"This report shows that during a recession, an efficient travel management program is key to saving money while still keeping travellers on the road to help bolster revenue.
"Corporate travel managers are coming to the rescue when corporate cost heroes are needed most."
According to the NBTA, the top five travel management spend tips include cutting entertainment budgets, encouraging less air travel and sending fewer employees to conferences.
Also on the list was the advance purchase of air tickets and the strengthening and enforcing of travel policy.
63% of respondents said they felt secure in their positions, revealing a confidence in travel management.
"The current value placed on travel managers is not surprising given the effective policy changes and savings companies are seeing," said Mr Maguire.
"It is those companies that do eliminate and reduce travel staff that will risk losing more money in the long run."
While half of travel managers surveyed believed they were valued by their companies, the survey found that 20% had reported reductions in travel staff numbers.
www.nbta.org