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Discover the alternative in business travel

Welcome to the place where clients are truly partners. As an extension of your team, FCM Travel is the travel management company that brings agility to your corporate travel program, driving value and creating simplicity.

With a unique approach to building technology and talented teams that go above and beyond, together we can do more than tick boxes and book tickets.

How we add value to business travel programs

Consistent experience

Data that influences

Best-in-market content

A collaborative partner

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Technology built with you in mind

Craving a smoother way to book and manage business trips, with quick access to support, 24/7? Yearning to easily search and pull reports for travel insights, and view safety & risk alerts in one place?  

Our customers felt the same way. That’s why we built the FCM Platform, a business travel platform that’s designed to transform travel programs.  

With the FCM Platform, you get: 

• Global consistency  
• Personalized user experience 
• Alternative approach to innovation 
• Actionable insights  

Explore FCM Platform

Corporate travel services that work for all

Travel Managers

Travel Bookers

Business Travelers

Company travel strategy that keeps everyone….

Safe & Productive

Thinking ahead

Resources hub.

From The Th!nk Series to FCM Consulting’s Quarterly Trends Reports, to practical travel advice and insights to elevate programs. Explore the Resource Hub .

Challenge accepted: Strategies to ace corporate travel innovation

From tiny shampoos to takeout cups: Beat plastic waste one hotel stay at a time

FCM at GBTA Convention 2024

“Not only did FCM provide comprehensive, customized materials and sessions, they consistently took the time to listen and understand our culture, and then flexed to align with our needs”.

That's what the travel manager of a well-known Fortune 100 insurance company said about implementing FCM Travel, after 10 years with their incumbent TMC. Discover how agility and partnership-focused goals were a perfect match for this global business travel program.

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Services and culture, certified

Discover the awards and accreditations we’ve collected as a travel management company over our 20-year history.

View our trophy cabinet

Ready to discover a new travel management company? Let’s talk.

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Local solutions, delivered globally

CTM provides local service solutions to customers around the world. Please select your local region, and start experiencing the CTM difference!

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Connecting Business Through Travel

Connecting Ideas Through Travel

Connecting People Through Travel

Welcome to ctm. we do business travel, differently., corporate travel management (ctm) is a leader in business travel management services in north america and beyond. we drive savings, efficiency, safety, and sustainability to businesses and corporate travelers, wherever your business takes you..

When you partner with CTM you’ll enjoy the experience of business travel done differently – a uniquely designed travel program, built for your business’s specific travel needs and objectives, and expertly delivered in every region you operate in. We design travel programs that drive strategic results for every part of your business and every member of your team.

So if you’re looking for a tailored travel management solution, delivering customer service excellence, innovative technology and a demonstrable return on investment, you’re in the right place.

Experience the CTM difference

Elevate Your Travel Program With Corporate Travel Management

Is your travel program delivering savings, efficiency, and safety to your business and traveling workforce? Are you leveraging your travel data to negotiate better travel deals and positively influence booking behaviors? Do you have access to the tools you need to control your budget, reduce risk, improve sustainability and maximize employee well-being?

If not, it’s time to elevate your travel program with CTM.

We don’t believe in a one-size fits all approach to travel management. We work in partnership with your team to design a tailored travel program, utilizing proven strategies and leveraging big data, to deliver strategic outcomes which align with your business’s unique objectives and priorities. Find out how CTM’s solutions can transform your business travel program and budget today.

Get More From Your Business Travel Program

Bigger Savings

For every dollar spent on our travel management services, we’ll return more to you in savings.

Greater Efficiency

Our expertise, 24/7 support and intuitive technology significantly improves your team's efficiency.

Award-Winning Service

Access award-winning service and solutions designed for your needs, via your prefered channel.

Heightened Safety

Drive safety and well-being to your traveling workforce to reduce risk and increase productivity.

Improved Sustainability

Travel doesn't have to cost the earth. Our tools and solutions support more sustainable travel.

Better Insights

Unleash the power of reliable, actionable data to drive program performance and accountability.

Take your travel program from average to exceptional

Take Your Travel Budget Further

For every dollar spent on our travel management services, we’ll return more to you in savings. That’s the CTM difference.

How we do it

• You’ll benefit from CTM’s extensive global buying power and supplier negotiations to experience exceptional deals on flights, accommodation and car rental
• Your CTM travel platform provides one-stop-shop access to the best corporate negotiated deals, last-minute inventory and dynamic supplier content (NDC-ready), all comparable side-by-side for maximum speed, choice and value
• CTM’s forecasting technology visualizes the cheapest time to travel in a single search, ensuring you travel at the most affordable time
• Your strategic Account Manager will design a bespoke travel policy based on your unique travel behaviors and business objectives, and conducts regular travel program analysis and benchmarking to identify ongoing savings opportunities
• Consolidate your corporate travel, meetings and events spend with CTM for stronger supplier negotiation power and access to great corporate and event travel deals.

Increase Efficiency

Get where you’re going fast.

Leverage CTM’s travel expertise, 24/7 support and intuitive technology to significantly improve your employees’ productivity.

• We put intuitive  travel technology at your fingertips 24/7, making travel research, booking, and trip management simple, efficient and reliable
• Choose your preferred self-service online booking tool and a mobile app to book all your flights, hotels and car rental in a single transaction
• Enjoy round-the-clock travel service from CTM’s travel advisors , via a channel of your choice, for friendly, knowledgeable, and relevant travel support wherever and whenever you need it
• Enjoy access to live consolidated travel reporting across every aspect of your travel program, driving increased visibility, control, and efficiency.

Maximize Safety

Boost Travel Confidence & Productivity

Enhance your employee’s safety while traveling for business with our suite of intuitive and integrated risk management tools.

• Traveler tracking technology enables you to track and communicate with travelers in the event of an emergency, including one-click ‘proof of life’
• Pre-trip approval workflows enable risk identification and management prior to booking
• CTM risk alerts send email and SMS notifications to affected travelers based on itinerary location and risk levels
• CTM Mobile travel app enables travelers to book and manage their travel needs on-the-go for greater independence.

Get Connected.

Contact our team today to discuss your travel program needs., transformative business travel technology.

Global Scale, Local Expertise, Agile Tech

The scale to achieve maximum savings, the spread to provide consistent local market expertise, and the agility to solve tomorrow’s travel challenges today.

Built For Simplicity, Consistency, Flexibility

We take a highly consultative, curated approach to designing unique, simple and effective global travel solutions which deliver strategic results today and into the future.

Your Feedback Drives Our Roadmap

We put you front and center of our product and service roadmap, ensuring you benefit first from the fastest, most relevant and impactful solutions.

Take a tour of our tech stack

Testimonial

The service experience provided and standards we expect from CTM have always been critical to our business success... We now have no ‘downtime’ when a consultant is out of the office, as the entire team knows our policy and our travelers’ needs. This always gives us excellent service continuity, which makes my role just that little bit easier.

- Engineering client -

CTM held our hand through the [implementation] process – training on the booking tool was clear and concise, and the entire exercise could not have run more smoothly.

- Food manufacturing client -

Challenger continues to seek the best return on its investments in technology. Partnering with CTM to implement Fare Forecaster was a commonsense decision that met our needs in achieving this goal.

- Challenger -

Corporate Meetings & Events

Take your corporate meetings and events to a new level of performance with CTM’s specialist event management team, ETM . Our expert event organizers ensure strategically designed meetings and events which deliver exceptional attendee experiences, more strategic outcomes for your business, and a better return on your travel budget.

Benefit from our extensive supplier relationships to leverage corporate deals on accommodation, travel and entertainment, saving you time and money. Moreover, consolidate your corporate and event travel spend through CTM for stronger supplier negotiations, maximizing your overall budget’s potential. Whether it’s corporate events, strategic meetings, conferences, group travel, team-building activities, or sales incentives, we tailor your event management solution to exceed expectations and drive business success.

Partner with us for a connected event experience that drives results for your business, people, and budget.

You might be interested in...

Solutions for Every Business Size

Whether you’re a global enterprise, national corporate, or fast-growing start-up, we design travel management solutions that deliver on your goals.

Integrated Technology Ecosystem

Our technology is built to be as flexible as your needs are diverse, putting transformative tools at your fingertips 24/7 for maximum productivity and peace of mind.

Our Customer Success Stories

Don't just take our word for it. Explore our customer case studies and success stories to see how CTM has delivered resuls for businesses like yours.

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Business Travel Management

Deliver more for your employees and your business

Managing a business travel program can seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. When you work with CWT, one of the world’s leading travel management companies, we make it easy for you to deliver valuable employee travel services to help you get the job done right.

Keep your workforce focused

Your travelers are employees first. You need to keep them safe, engaged and productive with travel services that work for them and your organization. CWT has a wide array of business travel services available to help keep your workforce focused on your business goals.

Unique Solutions

Not all business travel is the same; some industries have truly unique requirements that demand specially-trained teams to look after their travelers.

At CWT, we understand that managing travel in industries such as energy , resources and   marine,   life sciences,  or  media and entertainment can be extremely challenging and you have to work with a TMC you trust.

We have the experience you need and our people have the skills that matter.

Explore unique solutions

Keep employees moving

Give your employees booking tools and travel services that keep them moving and productive even during inevitable disruptions. CWT can help make their travels easier with digital touchpoints and a great experience.

Hotel offering

When your employees stay overnight on a trip, you need them to get a business-quality hotel room at the best price, no matter how they book. CWT’s hotel offering, powered by RoomIt delivers all this and more.

Managing risk

CWT can help you meet your legal and ethical responsibility to care for travelers and also help reduce risk for your company. We know you need to keep both your employees and their data safe, while predicting and managing safety and security concerns like a pro.

It’s what CWT does every day for our clients

Delivering ROI

We can help your business travel management efforts deliver real ROI. Using powerful tools we can help you crunch complex data, and with supplier management expertise we can help you design and negotiate an effective travel management program.

Drive action and innovation

Take travel management to the next level with innovations and insights helping you track trends, adapt to industry changes, and take action.

Get started with CWT

Changing your travel management company doesn’t have to be hard. CWT will help you design a program that fits your employees’ needs and stand with you to drive adoption of it. We’ll also deliver key metrics and reports to help you show your organization you made the right choice.

Our unique travel solutions

Energy, resources and marine travel

Getting people to remote parts of the world can be complex. Whatever your business–oil and gas to mining; marine to renewable energies–we’re here to help handle your travel needs. Since 1980, we have delivered our clients efficient, safe and connected travel programs using the global power of CWT and our local knowledge in locations around the world.

Life sciences and pharma travel

A complex and highly-regulated industry, life sciences is one that demands a high-touch and tailored travel program for health care professionals and people traveling to participate in medical trials. CWT has been trusted with pharma, biotech and biomedical companies over the past 30 years. 

Media, entertainment and sports travel

Need to move film crews, television equipment, news teams, or sports squads? No problem! Dedicated and highly specialist teams provide confidential and secure travel services, including white-glove VIP service, 24 hours a day.

Ready for professional travel management services?

If you’re ready to talk about how we can help you and receive communications about our products and service, please fill out the contact form. You can unsubscribe from our mailing list at any time using the ‘unsubscribe’ link on our emails.

Traveler help

Help me manage my travel

Careers at CWT

Explore career opportunities

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Learn more about travel management

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Learn more about our travel management offering

Travelers: manage your travel here . The below form is for inquiries about our corporate travel management offering.

To reach out to CWT to learn more and also receive communications (email or phone) on our products and services, please complete the form below. You can unsubscribe at any point in the future from our mailing list using the ‘unsubscribe’ link on any of our emails.

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Solutions for every business travel program

Business Travel Management

We simplify the conversation around managed business travel, showing you how to combine capabilities and services to deliver or improve on your program goals. Review your current program or design what it might look like in the future. Focus on a single area or make plans across the entire program. Wherever you are today, there’s a solution to help you get where you want to go tomorrow. Get started

Get in touch

Contact us  if you have any questions, or if you’d like to know more about our solutions for business travel management.

Recognized by the industry

We’re honored that our work, members and company are repeatedly recognized by the travel industry and organizations. BCD Travel awards and recognition

Stay up to date with news, trends and insights from BCD Travel and the business travel industry.

BCD wins BTN awards for helping protect the planet

BCD received the “Achievement in Sustainability – TMC” recognition at the 2024 Business Travel Sustainability Awards & Summit for Europe and the Americas. The awards were announced May 8 and May 14 at BTN events in New York City and London.

East meets West: A business traveler’s guide to Singapore

With origins dating back as far as the 14th century, the modern city-state of Singapore in Southeast Asia has evolved into a bustling hub of business and innovation. Today, rich and diverse cultures, efficient infrastructure, and world-class dining and entertainment options abound across this destination. Will you be heading to Singapore soon? Then check out this guide with tips from resident and BCD staffer Agnes Heng.

TripSource’s new desktop experience looks great and works even better

We’ve all had moments when looking good helped us perform even better. TripSource® is having its moment now. We’ve improved the design of the desktop experience, and early feedback from travel arrangers and business travelers is overwhelmingly positive.

What to look for in a Travel Management Company?

Finding the right Travel Management Company (TMC) to partner with your organization requires strategic planning, a methodical process and involvement from the right travel stakeholders. 

Travel buyers are responsible for how an organization uses travel and meetings to help achieve their broader goals. Partnering with the right TMC leads to improved safety, productivity and wellbeing for business travelers and streamlined processes and cost savings for your organization.

The TMC should demonstrate broad experience in managing travel for organizations like yours. Identify the specific services you need from them, such as ability to connect travel program strategy to company mission and purpose, sector experience, hotel program expertise, sustainability, travel policy compliance, risk management, or a defined approach to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I).

Latest travel management resources

Visit our Business Travel Management Resources page for reports, case studies and tips to help you plan, streamline and optimize your company’s business travel.

Airline operations

These reports present a roundup of what’s been happening to airlines in the world over the last month.

Moving beyond climate neutrality claims: Taking real climate action

In today’s business environment, companies have an increased responsibility to engage in proven effective climate action.

Impact on travel of the Paris Olympics and UEFA European Championship

In 2024, Europe will host two major multinational sporting events. Building upon a report originally published by Oxford Economics, this Insights report explores the implications for travel.

Change how you manage guest travel

As business evolves, companies are relying more on contractors, consultants, and mobile professionals to travel on their behalf.

BCD Invite is an innovative solution designed to streamline the management of guest travel. Drive compliance, eliminate manual processes, keep information secure, and most importantly, safeguard your reputation by providing a best-in-class experience for your guest travelers. Because first impressions last.

How To Guides

How-to guides help travel managers and business travelers navigate every aspect of business travel, from planning and booking to budgeting and expense management, to ensure a smooth and successful trip.

How to pack a capsule wardrobe for business trips

To pack for business trips without sacrificing style, try building a capsule wardrobe. It’s a selection of clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits.

How to pick the right online booking tool (OBT) for your managed travel program

Picking the right OBT for your corporate travel program can seem a big task. But the key is understanding your program needs and requirements and working with a Travel Management Company (TMC) who understands you. The TMC should guide you in the process, helping drill down to what is needed for your travel program now and as it evolves.

Wigs, water bottles and waiting: How to move through airport security faster

Long lines. Stern-looking security agents. That 3-oz. liquid rule. Getting through security can feel like an obstacle course. This how-to guide is for seasoned and new travelers – because we can all use a few tips to help lessen the stress of passing through security.

When entertainment is your business, every detail has to be right.

Case studies.

It’s all about excellent service and partnership

Michael O’Neill and David Currie from the Irish Football Association share why they’re so proud of their strategic partnership with BCD M&E Sports.

Innovative solution transforms HCP and group travel for healthcare company

Discover how BCD helped a multinational healthcare company by implementing two innovative configurations to manage HCP and group bookings.

Hong Kong customer consolidates travel program in APAC

Based on BCD Travel’s expertise and trust, a multinational financial services customer in Hong Kong decided to consolidate all travel in APAC with BCD.

Life Sciences

We know life sciences

We support customers across the healthcare spectrum through our Life Sciences Center of Excellence.

As the leading life sciences travel management and meetings company, we service over 100 organizations in this sector across travel, meetings and consulting, including 90% of the top 20 pharmas in the world.

Read our blog

Move offers news and analysis of issues and innovation in business travel, especially for program stakeholders. Subscribe to stay one step ahead.

Read more »

Where we do business​

Our global network spans more than 100 countries. Find our location map and contact info here.

Travel smart. Achieve more.

Get solutions for business travel that help you save time, money and stress.

Business travel made personal

Christopherson offers dynamic technology and exceptional customer service to connect your business to where it needs to go.

Get to the future—faster

Your trusted partner

We’d be honored to serve you among our 1,000+ organizations, providing you and your teams with our signature, tailored experience to help your business reach its goals.

An elite travel platform

We have a lot packed

Learn about our other services and how we can help your business take off.

Get more out of your travel budget and boost cost savings through our knowledgeable travel expertise.

Experience the luxury of smart travel technology with the trust of an experienced partner.

Our integrated booking, gives your travelers policy-compliant choices, all the while saving time and money.

Program management

Our travel program management services give you the tools and support to move upward and forward.

Know before you go

Connect with our team of experienced travel experts to learn how Christopherson can help your business travel with ease.

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What is a travel management company (TMC)?

What is a travel management company and why should you use one? Learn about what a TMC is and how it can help your business.

With corporate travel ramping up as we enter “post-pandemic” times and an increased return to travel , the greater the need for travel management solutions. If you’ve noticed the uptick in corporate travel within your own business, you understand just how complicated it can be for you or your employees to coordinate itineraries. That’s where a travel management company, or TMC for short, can add great value to your business, regardless of size, and save you and your employees time, money, and headaches.

What is a TMC and what do they do?

On the most basic level, a travel management company (TMC) is a travel agency that specializes in arranging corporate travel for businesses of all shapes, sizes and needs. TMCs can take care of all the details involved with business travel, including booking flights, handling hotel reservations, supporting with duty of care, and taking care of car rentals, among other services. Through advanced technology and online booking tools (OBT), travel management companies can help your employees find the best deals while also adhering to your company’s corporate travel policy. TMCs can even help your business create a travel expense policy if you don’t have one already. [1]

Is there a difference between an OBT and a TMC? [2]

Yes, there is a difference between an Online Booking Tool and a Travel Management Company. An online booking tool allows employees to track and manage their own business travel. Travel management companies offer more robust support on top of providing their own online booking tool. While OBTs allow your employees to individually search for their own corporate travel options and deals, TMCs typically offer support from experienced travel consultants who specialize in finding the best rates for business travel, while also allowing your employees the flexibility to choose their own flights, hotels, and car rentals .

TMCs like Egencia are experts in handling the ins and outs of corporate travel. They are equipped to handle everything from gathering all the necessary travel paperwork, to providing live support during unforeseen circumstances, like missed flights, to notifying travelers of last-minute updates of travel regulations. With the backing of a TMC, your employees are supported every step of their travel, while helping your business save money and offering deeper travel insights.

Are travel management companies and travel agencies the same thing? [3]

No. Travel Management Companies and Travel Agencies are not the same thing, although they may share some similarities. While travel agencies can help clients book corporate travel, and occasionally offer lower rates through a limited number of vendors, TMCs focus on exclusively servicing businesses, helping create and adhere to a company’s corporate travel programs, and finding the best rates for maximum savings .

TMCs also provide a wider array of services than traditional travel agencies, like centralization and automation of the travel booking process, data-reporting options, and travel policy creation. Additionally, TMCs have cultivated years-long relationships with vendors and can negotiate lower fares for maximum savings.

7 benefits of using a travel management company

As business travel continues to ramp up, TMCs can offer travel solutions for your employees while keeping the bottom line of your business goals top of mind. Some of the most significant benefits of utilizing a TMC include:

1. TMCs help streamline your travel booking process

By automating the different travel components like lodging, flights, and ground transportation into one online booking platform, it allows the booking process to become more efficient and easier to manage and saves your employees valuable time.

2. Makes it easier to gather data for more informed decision-making

Through partner integrations and APIs, TMCs can offer real-time data gathering that can help analyze travel trends, assess risk management, as well as control budget spending . In turn, this data can help your organization make better, more educated business decisions.

3. TMCs provide travel assistance 24/7

One of the biggest benefits of using a TMC is that you can rely on reaching a travel consultant any time—day or night. Instead of having to keep track of several different vendors, your employees enjoy one point of contact that is reachable through a variety of different channels.

4. Enjoy the perks of concierge service

From handling the most minute details that can range from seat preferences to making sure travel reward points are applied accordingly and everything in between, TMCs elevate the traveler experience of your employees by taking care of all their travel needs.

5. Can help reduce corporate travel costs

Because TMCs specialize in finding and negotiating the best travel deals with enterprise providers and partners, they have access to lower rates on flights, hotel rooms, and transportation—cutting down on overall business travel costs while still offering competitive name-brand selections.

6. Provide traveler safety assistance

Whether unexpected security concerns arise, or travel regulations are updated at the last minute, TMCs keep travelers informed with real-time notifications.

7. Integrate your company’s corporate travel policy for greater compliance

TMCs bridge the gap between employee travel booking best practices and your company’s corporate travel policy . A TMC can filter an employee’s search results to be automatically compliant to your business’ travel policy guidelines, saving them time and providing ease of use. If for whatever reason an itinerary isn’t compliant, it’ll get flagged for further approval.

Choosing a TMC that’s right for your business

While there are a number of different travel management companies to choose from, the right TMC will depend on your business needs and goals. Some must-haves to take into consideration as you shop for a TMC to partner with include: [4]

• Responsiveness
• Comprehensiveness

Choose a TMC that is aligned with your company’s culture . Since you’ll work closely with them to create and organize your employee’s corporate travel, they should align with and uphold your company’s values.

Egencia provides you with corporate travel solutions

Whether you’re just starting a new corporate travel program or are looking to make yours more robust, Egencia provides modern travel management with a single, global, highly configurable platform. You’ll have the power to build integrations that help you automate, connect and simplify your travel and expense management. From small and medium-sized businesses to global corporations, we connect you to over 290 global airlines and 650,000 lodging properties.

Ready to get started?

Request a demo to see what we can do for you.

[1] https://www.cbtravel.com/difference-between-travel-management-company-and-travel-agency/

[2] https://www.travelperk.com/blog/best-business-travel-management-companies/

[3] https://www.cbtravel.com/difference-between-travel-management-company-and-travel-agency/

[4] https://jtbbusinesstravel.com/how-to-choose-a-travel-management-company/

Looking for better business travel solutions? Get in touch with us.

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High-Touch Personalized Service

Unparalleled travel expertise, innovative & cost-effective solutions, certified women-owned business, personal service partnered with cutting edge technology.

Corporate Travel Management

VIP Service

High-Touch Service + High-Tech Solutions

You deserve a first-class travel management company that can keep pace with your changing business. At Teplis Travel, we provide you with proactive, intricate, and reliable corporate travel service 24/7/365. The detailed attention from every employee at Teplis Travel is a level of attention and commitment not likely to be matched.

A Corporate Travel Partner with Your Goals in Mind

About Teplis Travel

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Testimonials

“Teplis Travel has always provided the answer/solution for me whether it be advice on negotiations, complex international ticketing or optimizing my Concur Travel and Expense solution. I am confident my corporate travel program is optimized to the fullest because of the support they provide.”

“Hands down, Teplis has the best team of any travel management company (TMC). They have world class travel agents, account team and OBT platform support. The knowledge that each vertical brings to the table is tough to beat.”

“We have some complex itineraries all over the world and Teplis does a great job of simplifying everything. Teplis travel agents are very knowledgeable and creative, especially when we are booking international fares.”

“Always an enjoyable and professional experience when working with the corporate agents at Teplis Travel. I love calling my favorite agent who knows exactly what I need when booking my business travel!”

“Our company is extremely pleased with the level of support our corporate travelers receive through Teplis’ online support desk. It is a huge benefit to have hands-on expertise available when our employees need assistance booking on Concur Travel.”

“You have exceeded expectations and set the bar at a new level for travel agents. You have been awesome! After my experiences with this weekend, all I can say is that you qualify for sainthood.”

Global Partnership

Teplis is a FROSCH Global Partner, giving your travelers access to a support network of 2,000+ agents and unique ticketing capabilities in over 50 strategic global markets.

Corporate travel just got better.

Imagine a world of travel management where tech and people work collectively. Where you can look, book and report, all in one platform. 

Your business travel matters. Make it count.

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Helping companies travel the globe simpler, faster, easier. 

Meet Melon.

A travel management platform that makes business travel a breeze.

Melon is everything you need to manage all the pieces of your business travel program, quickly, and easier than ever.

• Ultra-intuitive design
• 5-minute bookings
• On-point reporting for smarter decisions
• Access the best rates, no debates
• Live-chat with a travel consultant

Melon is the ultimate travel management solution that covers all your bases from booking, safety, reporting, policy, and expense.

Ready to see it in action?

book a demo

Our business? Getting you there.

More savings? Yes please.

Travel expertise? Anytime.

Latest tech? Always ahead.

The best fares and rates? Of course.

What our customers say about us, “corporate traveler provides a level of service that’s both thorough and anticipatory. we’re an incredibly fast-moving business and to have a partner as nimble as us managing our travel needs is invaluable.”, caroline roche, chief of staff @ bumble, “working with corporate traveler allows us to get key personnel there on time and most importantly, safely. it’s been seamless; they understand our business, conscious of costs and are an instrumental part of our operations.”, stephen cochrane @ rotech subsea ltd, “our booking fees have fallen and we’re now capturing more travel spend and have greater overall visibility, allowing us to really pinpoint where there are further savings to be made. ”, vicki mann, executive assistant @ new era.

Upgrade to effortless

Business travel is an investment, and it should feel simple. Take your business travel to the next level with exceptional service every step of the way.

With a blend of knowledgeable travel experts and seamless digital experiences, we’ve got you covered from door to door. Every experience, every interaction, every trip should feel simple, worry-free, effortless.

unparalleled service

Industry expertise? We know the ins and outs.

We make knowing how your business travels our business. The result? A travel management solution that perfectly balances adaptability and reliability. Trust us to expertly guide your business travelers – while catering to your company’s unique needs. 

Whether it’s meetings, events, or industry- specific travel requirements (and all their quirks), consider it covered.

industry experts

Supercharged savings & deals

Unlock exclusive negotiated rates to keep your costs down. With our vast global network, corporate travel deals are at your fingertips.

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Local solutions, delivered globally

CTM provides local service solutions to customers around the world. Please select your local region, and start experiencing the CTM difference!

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Global Travel, Done Differently.

One Program. One Platform. One Team.

Global Tools, Powered By One Platform.

Welcome to ctm. we do global business travel, differently., corporate travel management (ctm) is a global leader in business travel management services. we drive savings, efficiency, safety and sustainability to companies and their travelers in every corner of the world..

When you partner with CTM, you’ll enjoy the experience of global travel done differently – a uniquely designed global travel management program, built with you and for you, consistently and expertly delivered in every region you operate in. We design travel programs that drive strategic results for every part of your business and every member of your team, in every region you operate in.

That’s the CTM difference.

If you are looking for a tailored travel management solution, delivering customer service excellence , innovative travel technology and a demonstrable return on investment, you’re in the right place.

Time to discuss your global travel needs?

Explore our global travel solutions

Global travel, powered by one travel program.

No matter how large, diverse, and complex your business or travel needs, we’re committed to designing simple, safe and sustainable solutions that deliver measurable results.

At CTM, we take a highly consultative and curated approach to designing your global travel program, ensuring a solution that meets your business’s unique goals, challenges and opportunities.

We work with your team to source and select the right solutions for your business and people in every market you operate in and package them up into one program, accessed through one platform and supported by one team , to give your unique global travel program a place to call “home”.

One Program

Every aspect of your business travel, strategic meetings and corporate events needs consolidated into one strategic program to maximize savings, efficiencies and duty of care.

One Platform

A uniquely curated suite of global travel tools, configured to your global and regional business needs, and seamlessly integrated in a single global travel platform.

A carefully crafted team of global travel experts, identified for their expertise and experience in delivering strategic results and first-class experiences wherever you need them.

Take your first step towards better business travel with Corporate Travel Management.

Transformative business travel technology.

Global scale, local expertise, agile tech

The scale to achieve maximum savings, the spread to provide consistent local market expertise, and the agility to solve tomorrow’s travel challenges today.

Built for simplicity, consistency, flexibility

We take a highly consultative, curated approach to designing unique, simple and effective global travel solutions which deliver strategic results today and into the future.

Your Feedback Drives Our Roadmap

We put you front and center of our product and service roadmap, ensuring you benefit first from the fastest, most relevant and impactful solutions.

Take a tour of CTM's global travel solutions

Testimonial

CTM has established itself as a well-respected travel management provider within the global travel sector, one which actively contributes to the continued growth, diversification and digital transformation of the travel industry.

- Matteo Zanarini, International Air Transport Association (IATA) -

CTM has been an innovative industry leader in the corporate travel market for many years, both technologically and strategically. This is a market segment that is undergoing serious upheaval and CTM has shown its ability to navigate some turbulent times and come out as a leader in its field.

- Peter Harbison, CAPA Centre for Aviation -

Sabre values its long and mutually beneficial relationship with Corporate Travel Management. As their global technological partner, we have developed trusted relationships with the CTM team and respect their track record of performance and technological innovation.

- Andy Finkelstein, Sabre Travel Network -

Corporate Meetings & Events

Take your corporate meetings and events to a new level of performance with CTM’s specialist  event management team, ETM. Our expert event organizers ensure strategically designed meetings and events which deliver exceptional attendee experiences, more strategic outcomes for your business, and a better return on your travel budget.

Benefit from our extensive supplier relationships to leverage corporate deals on accommodation, travel and entertainment, saving you time and money. Moreover, consolidate your corporate and event travel spend through CTM for stronger supplier negotiations, maximizing your overall budget’s potential. Whether it’s corporate events, strategic meetings, conferences, group travel, team-building activities, or sales incentives, we tailor your event management solution to exceed expectations and drive business success.

Partner with us for a connected event experience that drives results for your business, people, and budget.

Looking for a regional travel solution?

You're in the home of global travel programs! If you're looking for a regional solution for your business travel needs, visit your local CTM website to explore our award-winning regional travel services.

Executive Travel is committed to providing world class, personal and professional travel management services that “WOW” our customers. We are people centric, service focused and technology driven.

Travel impacts every part of an organization and the complexities of managing a travel program continue to increase each year. The mission at Executive Travel is to “Simplify Travel” for all stakeholders at every stage. Our Core Values drive this mission and are the foundation of our continued success.

Travel planning can be a complex process and Executive Travel is committed to simplifying it for you. For thirty years we have been providing the best in travel planning for companies and leisure clients. Our goal is to enable you to relax and focus on the enjoyment of the experience without the hassle and worry of managing all the details.

THE THREE PILLARS OF SIMPLIFYING TRAVEL

TRAVEL PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

Executive Travel manages the evolution of your travel program with comprehensive business planning, targeted measures of success, and dynamic business reviews.

TRAVELER EXPERIENCE

Best in Class travel programs are built around the traveler experience. Our industry leading 91 Net Promoter Score speaks volumes.

ETINTELLIGENCE

ETIntelligence is both our methodology and suite of proprietary and 3rd party products and services that drive our clients travel programs.

HOW ARE WE DIFFERENT? OUR SEVEN COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES

What makes us different? Listed below are videos of seven major competitive advantages that Executive Travel offers compared to other travel management companies.

Our blueprint for up to 25% savings

The marriage of travel service & security

Our tactical 10 point business plan

Zero full service & online transaction fees

Platinum advisor service (VIP service without the VIP cost)

World-class hotel sourcing

ETSATISFACTION

It’s not what you say that matters, it’s what you do

TRAVEL MANAGEMENT COMPANY COMPARISONS

Check out how we stack up against the competition.

COST SAVINGS

Account management, traveler services & support, executive club vip service, travel management service, mobile app features, executive club vipservice.

Executive Travel engaged Zulu Solutions to compare travel management company’s competitive advantages in 2019. If you have questions or identify information that needs to be updated please contact us at [email protected]

EXECUTIVE TRAVEL BY THE NUMBERS

TRAVEL BOOKED

NET PROMOTER SCORE

AVERAGE HOTEL NIGHT SAVINGS

CLIENT RETENTION RATE

What our clients say about us.

Corporate Travel Manager

“For over ten years ACI Worldwide has been fortunate to partner with Executive Travel for its business travel needs. They have always provided professional, friendly service to our travelers while delivering cost savings to our company’s bottom line.

As ACI’s Corporate Travel Manager, I appreciate the way Executive Travel’s management listens to my needs with an open mind and delivers workable solutions quickly and efficiently. Their team approach to working with us has been key to our travel program’s success and I highly recommend them.”

“Now, more than ever, a strong relationship with your travel management company is a must! Executive Travel has always gone above and beyond. In my experience, they listen to customers’ needs, they tailor each program, and they “walk the talk” — always championing clients’ best interests!! Being incredibly flexible to support the industry, they are prepared to handle the new normal.”

Enterprise Travel Manager

“We continue to rely on Executive Travel to provide the most technological way of doing things.”

Travel & Expense Compliance Specialist

“Our partnership with Executive Travel supports our travel program and gives us access to discounted hotel pricing and negotiated rates for our preferred hotels. We’ve been able to reduce our spend on air travel and car rentals with our preferred vendors with the help of Executive Travel. In addition, our business travelers have direct access to an agent whenever they need it – whether they have to book a flight or are stuck at an airport and need to get home. This saves our travelers time and frustration.

We value Data Axle’s partnership with Executive Travel and look forward to our continued alliance.”

Category Manager – ROI

“Executive Travel has been a long-standing partner of ours for corporate travel management. I can’t say enough about the customer service and willingness to help our travelers at all costs. We are lucky to work alongside such a diligent, committed team!”

Christina M.

Travel & Expense Manager

“ETI has been a wonderful partner with GDT for all of our travel needs. They are available to help with anything I need as a travel manager and always very prompt. I would highly recommend them to anyone that is looking for an awesome travel management company relationship.”

A Travel Leader for Over 50 Years

. . . and counting.

Omega World Travel has over fifty years of experience as a leader in the travel management industry. Exceeding industry standards, Omega has excelled in supporting our clients’ needs by offering reliable and innovative services on an international scale. Omega continues to move forward, providing industry-leading software and services to help your employees safely navigate the globe. As one of America’s largest business travel management companies, we serve corporations, nonprofits, government agencies and contractors, and educational institutions. Our highly experienced account managers deliver the vital resources and assistance needed to transition your travel program back to full capacity. In addition to our award-winning travel services, Omega offers meetings management services through our acclaimed Omega Meetings & Events (Omega M&E) Division. Omega’s M&E Division’s highly responsive customer account teams use the newest technologies to design cost-effective, outstanding group travel experiences. Omega provides our clients the personalized attention of a small business with a wide range of resources that only a large company can deliver.

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COVID-19 Advisory: Globetrotter Travel is open for business. If you need assistance with current or future travel plans, please call at 301-570-0800, or email [email protected] . We are here to help.

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The 2024 guide to corporate travel management

What is corporate travel management, what does a corporate travel manager do.

• Booking trips for travelers (not only c-suite executives, but employees in any role).
• Helping individual departments track their travel spend so they can stay under budget.
• Providing travel support to travelers before, during, or after their trip.
• Selecting and managing any travel vendors or travel tools used.
• Working to negotiate corporate rates on hotels that the company uses often.
• Booking group travel.
• Organizing ground transportation like rental cars or rail
• Analyzing company travel spend, or delivering travel spend reports to the CFO for analysis.

What does a travel buyer do?

Stakeholders in the travel management process.

• In-house corporate travel manager
• Office manager or office team
• Head of operations / COO
• CFO and finance managers
• Panel of frequent employee travelers
• Current corporate travel agency or company

What solutions are companies using to book their business trips?

Consumer booking sites, traditional travel agencies, travel management software.

Save your company time and money on business travel

What are the drawbacks of each solution.

• Need to compare various websites and pay out of pocket in order to secure the best price
• Many hidden costs, with fees for cancellations and changes
• Many back-and-forth emails when booking for companies
• Need to pay upfront
• No support for issues on the road
• Time-consuming manual reimbursing and expense tracking
• Impossible to ensure compliance with company travel policy
• Online booking tools are typically buggy, with bad UX
• Employees end up calling support or book, when they’d rather save time by booking for themselves, with the options they want
• Costly service
• Above-market transport/accommodation prices
• Company policy compliance is difficult to guarantee
• Lack of travel inventory and options
• Clunky user experience that travelers don’t enjoy
• Offshore customer service, typically ranked as the top frustration in customer reviews
• Often overly complicated and feature-laden
• Impossible to control travel when travelers can’t or won’t use the tool
• Lacks low-price flights and hotels available online
• Impossible to guarantee company policy compliance

The pillars of modern travel management:

• Trust – Trust travelers to book using the approved process and policy, and make it easy for them
• Transparency – Let travelers see what they’re allowed to spend and choose accordingly, and let finance and administrative teams see what is being booked and why.
• Simplicity – Create a process that works and meets everyone’s needs.
• Impact – Measure the impact of business travel on the company and reduce unnecessary trips that leave travelers exhausted and businesses with needless expenses.
• Duty of care – Ensure a thorough duty of care strategy is in place to mitigate risks for employees when traveling
• Sustainability – Being aware of the impact of travel on the environment and adopting good practices to reduce the effect

How can a good corporate travel program help companies to save money?

Ensuring compliance with company travel policy, access to more affordable flight options, stay on top of travel spending trends, six steps to managing corporate travel effectively.

• Choose a smart booking tool
• Assure 24/7 travel support
• Create policies and approval workflows
• Organize and utilize travel spend data in real-time
• Improve collaboration between admin and finance
• Reduce your company’s carbon footprint

1. Choose a smart booking tool

• Self-booking within policy – Trust your travelers to book what they need, and set up policies and parameters
• Consolidated invoicing – The ability to get one monthly invoice for all travel from one vendor, instead of having it spread across the web
• Travel spend reporting – Easy access for all finance and administrative team members who need to track travel itinerary details and spend by cost centers, tags or labels
• Easy booking process that travelers love – Invoice consolidation and accurate reporting are impossible if employees want to cheat on the approved tool, so choose a tool that’s easy to use with consumer-grade UX. Make their entire travel experience, from booking to coming home, as easy and smooth as possible. Introducing a mobile app is just an added bonus!
• Great inventory – Inventory is not a side note. Make sure the platform you use has every available option you can find online and that the company is committed to adding more inventory
• Travel support – You need travel assistance that’s available 24/7 in your native language so that employees can get help even when the internal admin team is unavailable

2. Assure 24/7 travel support

Here are the requirements to look for in travel support:.

• Available 24/7
• Easy to reach a real human
• Guaranteed follow-up and follow-through
• Native language support
• Fast escalation for big issues

3. Create policies and approval workflows

• Maximum cost of airfare
• Maximum cost per hotel per night
• Minimum amount of days booked in advance
• Hotel star rating
• Flight class allowed

Travel Management: The Ultimate Guide

Approval workflows.

• No approval required for any trip
• Approval required for some trips
• Approval required for every trip

4. Organize and utilize travel spend data

• Cost centers – Does your company use different payment accounts for different geographical regions? How many cost centers does the company have? Make sure that travel spend is getting charged to the right accounts and that you're making accurate expense reports.
• Tags and labels – Beyond cost centers, are there any important filters that the finance team would have to have when viewing travel spending reports? For example, would they like each trip tagged by team or by project? Decide upfront so that the tagging system can be implemented clearly from the get-go.
• Keep all travel in one place – to get accurate travel data, you need to keep all travel in one place—whenever possible. Work with a travel management solution that integrates with providers that matter to your company, such as budget airlines, AirBnb or European train lines. If your company has negotiated hotel rates, you want your corporate solution to be able to book those rates for you, so you don’t lose the travel data by booking directly.

5. Improve collaboration between admin and finance

• Streamlined approvals process – If your approval process requires action from the admin and the finance team, try to make this as seamless as possible.
• Easy access invoices – The finance team needs to grab all invoices quickly so they can reconcile expenses and set clear reimbursement processes. The best way to do this is to use a platform that consolidates travel spend into one monthly invoice.
• Ability to track spend instantly – Consolidate all travel spend into one platform so that they can generate reports on what is being spent, by who, and why (when using tags and labels). Same as with the invoices, determine whether you need to send them a monthly report, or if they want to download it themselves.
• Cost savings on trips – Fixing travel isn’t just about saving time. Many businesses are still using travel booking platforms that were built in the 80s and 90s. This means that they markup the inventory so that the company is paying more than a consumer would! Impress the finance team by reducing travel costs and introducing consumer-grade prices for trips.

6. Reduce your company’s carbon footprint

• Work out your starting point by calculating your company’s travel carbon footprint
• Design a green business travel program, which creates data-driven strategies to increase employee commitment
• Choose economy class
• Reduce your fuel consumption where possible
• Pick low-emission airlines and avoid layovers
• Vet your accommodation for sustainability practices
• Utilize green travel tax breaks

The bottom line: it's time to upgrade your travel management

Let’s bring it all together.

• Choose a smart booking tool – Meet everyone’s needs
• Share the burden of travel support – Don’t try to do this alone
• Set up cost centers and labels – Let the tool reflect the business
• Create policies and approval workflows – Put the policy inside the booking process
• Improve collaboration between admin and finance – Grab invoices and reports

Make business travel simpler. Forever.

• See our platform in action . Trusted by thousands of companies worldwide, TravelPerk makes business travel simpler to manage with more flexibility, full control of spending with easy reporting, and options to offset your carbon footprint.
• Find hundreds of resources on all things business travel, from tips on traveling more sustainably, to advice on setting up a business travel policy, and managing your expenses. Our latest e-books and blog posts have you covered.
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Title: New Travel Management Company and Uber for Business

Dear Colleagues,

As we approach commencement and the start of summer term, Georgetown Travel Services has two updates to share: the transition to World Travel Service as our provider for travel agents and Concur management, and our new partnership with Uber for Business.

New Travel Management Company: World Travel Service

Effective today, World Travel Services is replacing Corporate Travel Planners as our travel management partner. This change is the result of critical feedback from the Georgetown community and an extensive search for a provider that can meet our unique higher education travel needs. The Georgetown Travel Services Advisory Committee and Working Group were engaged on these important changes, and I appreciate their input and perspective. 

Using World Travel Services provides many benefits, including: 

• Full-service travel planning, including an easy-to use booking platform;
• Service agents to assist Georgetown employees with every aspect of their travel arrangements; and,
• F ull advantage of university negotiated discounts with our partner airlines, hotels and rental car companies.

Travelers and travel coordinators will continue to be able to use the online booking tool, Concur . Our World Travel agents are available on Mondays-Fridays from 8am-6pm for direct booking assistance, and can be reached at: 

[email protected]

771-208-4753

Georgetown Travel Services is also hosting weekly training and Q&A sessions on Thursdays at 1 p.m. through the fall. Please register on our Booking Travel with GTS website.

Uber for Business

We have also entered into a relationship with Uber for Business , which not only allows GU Employees to toggle between personal and procards more efficiently, but also enables departments to provide Uber vouchers for non-employees. Benefits of using Uber for Business include:

• Using our tax-exempt status to reduce costs;
• Toggling between their personal and business profiles, for ease of traveling;
• Departmental access to a customized dashboard for coordinating rideshare and Uber eats vouchers; and,
• The ability for departments to “call in” ride requests for travelers who do not have access to the Uber app.

For a limited time, employees who sign up for Uber for Business will receive a $20 credit to use in the next 30 days

For more information and to register for Uber for Business, please visit our website . For any other travel inquiries, please feel free to contact Georgetown Travel Service .

Sincerely, 

Sheyna Arthur

Interim Chief Procurement Officer and Director of Procurement

OUTSIDE FESTIVAL JUNE 1-2

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Should I Use a Travel Agent? Our Travel Expert Says It Makes All the Difference.

The new age of travel agents know how to find deals, book off-the-beaten path adventures, and get you out of any jam. Especially if you know who to use.

Heading out the door? Read this article on the Outside app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

I’ve always thought that planning my own trips was the most cost-effective way, but I’ve been hearing more about travel agents making a comeback and saving their clients a lot of money. What kinds of outdoor trips should I turn to a travel agent for, and are there any who specialize in working with adventurers like me?

Technically, I’m a professional traveler. As a journalist, it’s my job to research and connect with locals to get beneath the surface of a destination. So I have never really used travel agents. What could they plan better than I could?

A lot, it turns out. Over the years, I’ve gotten to know many travel specialists, and I consider them magicians. My big aha moment happened two winters ago on a trip to Iceland . A massive storm shut down internal flights for a day, causing me to miss my return flight to the U.S. Normally, I would have spent frustrating hours on hold with the airline. But because I’d paid $65 to have Ana Gloria Garcia, an air-support specialist at the travel agency EmbarkBeyond, find and book the most affordable and convenient flight option for me, she handled the rebookings while I soaked in the Blue Lagoon.

During the pandemic, agents became advocates helping travelers get refunds on canceled flights and trips. As travel has come roaring back, an agent’s superpower is now their access to the best hotel rooms, most in-the-know guides, free amenities, and more, says Cory Hagopian, senior vice president of sales and partnerships for Virtuoso , a global network of travel agencies.

And they’re attracting a young clientele. According to a recent industry survey , 38 percent of millennials and Gen Zers are opting to use travel agents as opposed to booking on their own trips. That number is far greater than Gen Xers and baby boomers, of whom only 12 and 2 percent respectively use agents.

What Do I Gain from Using a Travel Agent?

I recently had a friend tell me she spent close to 40 hours researching a family trip online. She probably could have gleaned the same intel from an hourlong conversation with a travel adviser. Knowledge is priceless, and advisers act as your insiders. They know what you don’t and fill in the blanks for things you might not have considered, says Erika Richter, a spokesperson for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA). Their firsthand knowledge, vast network, and on-the-ground connections all combine to provide a unique perspective for crafting the perfect itinerary for you.

Most travel advisers specialize in certain regions and countries and travel to them frequently, so they have up-to-date intel on not only the best safari camps but the perfect tent to book for the most incredible views and the best local restaurants you won’t find on Tripadvisor. They want their client’s trips to go well to keep them coming back, so it’s in their interest to have sussed out hotels and itineraries before they send you out into the world.

Nicole Forster, 29, considers herself a savvy traveler. She’s been to 20-plus countries and enjoys destination research. But when it came to planning her honeymoon in Africa, she felt overwhelmed, so she reached out to Danielle Meyer at Coastline Travel Advisors , which specializes in bespoke itineraries. “Originally, I wanted to go to South Africa, Victoria Falls, and Madagascar,” Forster recalls. “Danielle convinced me that if we wanted to relax, we should stay in South Africa and save the other countries for separate trips.”

Over five phone conversations and multiple emails, they crafted a 15-night itinerary that included Cape Town, the winelands, the Cape Peninsula, and a safari at the Thornybush Game Reserve. Forster established her budget early in the process, and Meyer sent her a variety of lodge options to choose from.

“I initially wanted to start with the safari, but she pointed out that we’d be jet-lagged and would need to wake at sunrise for game drives,” says Forster. “The safari was our highlight, so it was a perfect way to end the trip.”

Not only did Meyer book all of the flights, hotels, and transfers, but she created a detailed, day-by-day trip app for the couple that included useful information like check-in times at hotels and how much to tip guides .

Agents also act as advocates. If something goes wrong during your travels, they’re on call 24/7 to handle it. When Forster left the battery and charger for her camera at a hotel, Meyer arranged for an on-the-ground contact to go to a camera store and buy new ones that would be delivered to her hotel the next day.

The cost for the honeymoon planning: $150 per person. “I wouldn’t use a planner for a trip to Hawaii ,” Forster says, “but if I ever took a big trip like this again, I’d 100 percent work with an expert.”  

When to Consider Using a Travel Agent

For savvy trip planners, the best time to use a travel agent is for complicated international travel. It can save you hours of planning and peace of mind that if anything goes wrong in your chosen far-flung destination, there’s someone a What’sApp message away to handle it.

Domestically, I’d consider using a travel agent when planning a multi-week national park trip or multi-island trip in Hawaii. They will save you time, guarantee you get the best guides, and help you land reservations at always-booked lodges and hotels.

Dream Trips Delivered

Jessica Cook and her husband both work in the travel industry. Decision fatigued, they handed their honeymoon logistics over to the team at Askari Travel , an agency that specializes in South Africa. Their original plan was also an African safari, but just as they were about to put a deposit down, the Omicron variant of the coronavirus made headlines. Worried about getting stuck abroad, they reached out to Askari’s founder, Muriel Truter, who is from Zimbabwe, and upon her advice, changed their focus to South America.

Knowledge is priceless, and advisers act as your insiders. They know what you don’t and fill in the blanks of things you might not even have considered.

Truter suggested they stick to Colombia rather than country-hop. Cook supplied a budget and a wish list: 12 days, no more than three destinations, a barefoot-luxe feel, and adventures like horseback riding and mountain biking. The rest was a surprise that Askari pretty much nailed, with the exception of one hotel.

“Everything felt so authentic, but this one hotel on Barú island felt really fabricated and was full of American tourists,” recalls Cook. She immediately messaged the Askari team, saying, “Hey, this place really isn’t our vibe,” and within an hour they were on a water taxi headed to Blue Apple, a B Corp hotel—and an Outside pick for tropical adventures —on Tierra Bomba island. “It was honestly the best trip we’ve ever taken,” she says.

Are Travel Agents Expensive?

It depends. Cost varies. Some travel agencies won’t charge any fee, as they receive a commission from the bookings, while some high-end agencies will charge pricey annual membership fees for their services. Still others charge nominal “professional” fees starting at $150. Fees often fluctuate based on the length and intricacy of a trip and how far out you do the planning (6 to 12 months is recommended). You may occasionally come across agents who charge a percentage of the total trip price or hourly rates.

Basic travel enquiries are generally free. In 2016, Leah Smith, founder of Tafari Travel , opened an old-school brick-and-mortar location in Denver’s Cherry Creek neighborhood so her services would feel less intimidating to first-time users. “With our retail-office location, we’ve become part of the community, and both clients and non-clients are welcome to pop in and ask whatever questions they may have, no charge,” she says.

Matt Lindsay, founder of the surf-guiding and travel company LuxSurf Travel , builds relationships with resorts and property owners to get discounted rates that he can then pass on to guests.

Dominic Allan, the founder of Real Latin America , specializes in travel to Belize and Nicaragua and caters to independent travelers who are happy to book their own flights and hotels but are seeking his local intel. Allan’s three-tier pricing structure starts at $300 for up to three hours of phone calls, during which he might weigh in on where to eat (or not to), the best room to request in a certain lodge, or whether you really need a guide to hike.

Value Versus Savings

If you’re just looking for deals and steals, you might not be ready to work with a travel adviser, says Richter of the ASTA. “Anything you invest in with a travel adviser comes back to you in the form of amenities, customer service, peace of mind, better access to unique experiences, and handcrafted itineraries,” she says. “You could save money by cutting your own hair, too, but most people go to someone who knows what they’re doing.”

Agents work with preferred partners who can guarantee perks for clients, such as free upgrades, early check-in or late check-out, and resort credits. Those add-ons often translate into savings, says Justin Huxter, cofounder of the UK-based Cartology Travel . “We had a client go to Maui for a week, and because of our partnership with the resort, breakfast was included,” he says. When breakfast costs $120 for two, that’s a savings of $840.”

Some of the Best Travel Agents in the Adventure World

Some of my go-to resources for finding a person to work with include travel expert Wendy Perrin’s annual Wow List of tried and trusted agents, the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s adviser network , and the ASTA’s advisor directory .

In addition to the agents mentioned throughout this story, others I highly recommend for adventurous travelers include:

• Dan Achber of Trufflepig , for Africa and the Middle East
• Miguel Cunant of Sri Lanka in Style
• Javier Echecopar of Journey Costa Rica
• Daniel Fraser of Smiling Albino , for Southeast Asia
• Elizabeth Gordon of Extraordinary Journeys , for Africa
• Kleon Howe of the Art of Travel , for French Polynesia
• Jay Johnson of Coastline Travel , for Hawaii and California
• Antonello Losito of Southern Visions Travel , for Puglia, Italy
• Rabia Malik of Fora Travel , for general worldwide travel
• Robyn Mark of Mayamaya Travel , for Africa, the Alps, Patagonia, and Japan
• Marisol Mosquera of Aracari , for Peru and Bolivia
• Zach Rabinor of Journey Mexico
• Raluca Spiac of Beyond Dracula , for Romania

Travel-advice columnist Jen Murphy is now a believer in using a travel agent. Thanks to their expertise and connections, she’s avoided dozens of trip catastrophes. 

• South Africa

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ITB.2024.002 - Travel Management Services to UN Agencies in Mongolia (LTA)

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UNDP  is looking for a company for ITB.2024.002 - Provision Of Travel Management Services For The Un Agencies In Mongolia On Long Term Basis . UNDP Mongolia as a lead Agency and on behalf of the participating UN Agencies in Mongolia is undertaking a solicitation of bid proposal from Travel Agencies who are interested to provide various Travel Management Services regularly required by the UN Agencies.

Travel, as referred to in the Terms of Reference, shall apply to all journeys of UN Agencies in Mongolia staff from one place to another for official business purposes. These official purposes include, but need not be limited to, the following:

a) Official missions, meetings and various events,  b)Home leaves, emergency travels, and educational leaves, c) Visit to project sites, by either UN agencies’ staff, Government and counterparts, or other entities involved in execution of various UN Agencies funded undertakings. 

  Initial period of one (1) year and renewable for additional two (2) years, upon satisfactory evaluation of performance. The estimated date of LTA commencement is by end of June 2024

A pre-bid conference will be conducted virtually, Details below :

Will be conducted:

Time and time zone: 3 PM Ulaanbaatar Time

Date : 15 May 2024

Venue : Online – Zoom 

Join Zoom Meeting 

https://undp.zoom.us/j/84847448204?pwd=Yk0zUUJLclM0WVJtTzQvNnZhdGlkdz09 

Meeting ID: 848 4744 8204 

Passcode: 010800 

The focal point for the arrangement is: 

E-mail: [email protected]

Designated Position: Procurement Officer

Please indicate whether you intend to submit a bid by creating a draft response without submitting directly in the system. This will enable the system to send notifications in case of amendments of the tender requirements. Should you require further clarifications, kindly communicate using the messaging functionality in the system. Offers must be submitted directly in the system following this link:  http://supplier.quantum.partneragencies.org   using the profile you may have in the portal. In case you have never registered before, you can register a profile using the registration link shared via the procurement notice and following the instructions in guides available in UNDP website:  https://www.undp.org/procurement/business/resources-for-bidders .  Do not create a new profile if you already have one. Use the forgotten password feature in case you do not remember the password or the username from previous registration.

Email: [email protected] Surname: Procurement Officer