Travel agency manager jobs

Everything you need to know to get a job as a travel manager for a corporation

As the number of individuals traveling for work continues to rise and as it is anticipated that business travel will revive after COVID-19, an increasing number of people are contemplating changing their career path to become corporate travel managers. During the last several years, an increasing number of businesses of varying sizes have made the transition from unmanaged to managed business travel. Managing all travel arrangements was once the responsibility of HR personnel or office managers; however, in recent years, it has become increasingly common for businesses to hire in-house travel managers and make use of the services of travel management companies (TMCs) in order to accomplish this task.

Because of this, businesses have been able to cut their travel expenses, improve their ability to manage the time of other members of staff, and raise the effectiveness of their process for arranging travel.

Because corporate travel managers have been known to receive markedly better average salaries than their counterparts in the leisure travel industry, this field has also gained a lot of popularity among people who are already working in the travel industry or who are looking to start a career in the travel industry. It has been estimated by the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) that corporate travel managers have the potential to earn more than $10,000 annually. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the United States of America reported that the median annual pay for a travel agent in the year 2020 was $42,350.

The job description for the position of corporate travel manager

The travel requirements of a company are very important to the expansion and success of the business, and as a result, they often consume a significant portion of the budget. This indicates that the choice to appoint a corporate travel manager is a deliberate move that calls for a person who is capable of thinking strategically to take on the responsibility of the position. Typically, corporate travel managers are responsible for the following:

Developing and putting into effect the company's travel policy for business purposes

Overseeing all travel planning and travel arrangements

Taking charge of and maintaining control of the travel budget

Collating and exploiting data

Ensuring a duty of care while carrying out the appropriate preparations to deal with emergencies, maintaining security, and mitigating risks.

Check out our post on the qualifications that firms should seek in a corporate travel manager if you want more information on the subject.

How to get a job as a travel manager for a corporation

Because a significant amount of prior work experience is necessary to become a corporate travel manager, there are no genuine entry-level opportunities for corporate travel managers that are currently available. Because of this, becoming one is a bit more challenging than choosing some of the other possible job options.

But have no fear! To assist you in your pursuit of a position as a corporate travel manager, we have described the four primary actions that you need to do, which are as follows:

1. Ensure that you have the appropriate education and training.

You may obtain a job as a corporate travel manager with only a high school graduation if you have the relevant experience and knowledge, but having the appropriate college degree will enhance your chances of success significantly. This involves earning a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as hospitality, travel, or tourism. You will have an additional advantage in the competitive travel services business if you get a master's degree in that field.

In addition to this, you should look into obtaining more advanced and specialized training, as well as certification, from respected organizations in the industry, such as The Travel Institute and the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). You will gain knowledge and abilities in a variety of areas, including international travel expertise, travel scheduling, travel accounting, and travel business administration, among many others, by taking courses like these.

2. Become familiar with GDS.

Learning how to utilize a reservation tool called GDS (Global Distribution System), which is used by travel agencies, is essential in order to get into the travel business. It's a challenging and hard system, but if you can master it, you will go very far in this sector.

You may get a head start on your career by enrolling in GDS classes or making it a point to receive GDS training when you are first beginning your career in entry-level roles (we will talk more about this in the next section).

3. Get off to a good start in all you do.

Although there are no employment available for entry-level corporate managers, there are a wide variety of roles that may be held that will provide the necessary experience to advance to the next level. Beginning your career in the travel industry by working as an account manager or agent for an established travel agency, a reservation agent for an airline or cruise line company, or another job that is comparable in nature is a good place to begin. These positions will provide you with an introduction to the industry as well as the years of experience you'll need going forward.

4. Network, network, network

One of the easiest methods to get your foot in the door in pretty much any kind of profession is to get to know the individuals who are already working there and ask them to teach you the ropes. Attend the appropriate conferences, make connections with well-established travel consultants via LinkedIn, and inquire with corporate travel brokers about the possibility of seeing them in action. Learn from those that are already successful and get your name out there.

Lastly, become better at these talents.

Even if you have the necessary experience and certifications, being the finest corporate travel manager you can be requires you to have a particular set of attributes and talents that you truly need to master. These were also covered in our handbook for travel managers, but here's a quick rundown:

1. Have an in-depth understanding of the travel sector.

Although this may seem like a simple point, it really can't be emphasized enough. Get familiar with all of its ins and outs, but the most essential thing is to stay current with it. Maintain a current awareness of the latest trends, rules, and best practices, as well as the appropriate technologies (particularly, travel management companies such as TravelPerk).

2. Become a master communicator

The ability to communicate effectively is essential for corporate travel managers. You need to be the most vocal and ardent supporter of your company's travel policy for its workers and of all it hopes to accomplish in this regard. You'll have to have this conversation with employees working at every level of your firm. In addition, you are their point of contact before to, during, and subsequent to their journey, and you have the potential to make a significant contribution to the enhancement of their travel experience.

3. Engage in strategic thinking.

As was said previously, a capable corporate travel manager is an invaluable asset to any organization. You will need to have a keen eye for data and the mentality to be able to make effective use of that data in order to fine-tune your travel rules and procedures. Be on the lookout for innovative approaches to optimize your administrative procedures in order to save costs and save time for your company while also making the lives of your business travelers easier.

4. Keep a tidy and ordered space.

You have a lot of responsibilities as the travel manager for your company, and you need to be able to see everything at the tip of your finger at any given moment. This is particularly important to keep in mind when you have employees who are concurrently scheduling vacations, going on trips, and coming back from travels. You will need to have excellent organizing abilities, and you will also need the appropriate tools to assist you in this endeavor. The most effective corporate travel managers make use of software programs like TravelPerk, which provide them with complete control and visibility over every aspect of their company's business travel, including the tracking of expenses, the acquisition of actionable insights, and the streamlining of corporate travel management workflows.