Corporate travel agents specialize in organizing business trips and events for the employees of companies. By presenting your property correctly to these agents, including delivering real-time availability and rates, hotels can create the possibility to attract more corporate travelers. In this article, you learn what corporate travel agents are, why companies use them, and how they benefit hotels. You also find a list of 8 corporate travel agents to partner with.

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What is the Role of Corporate Travel Agents?

Corporate travel agents specialize in arranging business trips and planning events for the employees of companies. They do this while complying with the company policies of businesses. They manage the entire travel planning and booking, from accommodation and flights to airport transfers and car rentals. For mid-size and larger organizations, it is especially beneficial to outsource their business travel management to a corporate travel agency. This will help save time and hassle, not to mention the money they save in getting the best possible deal on airfares and accommodation for their staff.

What are The Benefits for Companies to Outsource Travel Management?

Some of the key benefits of outsourcing travel management to corporate travel agents include the following:

  • Efficiency
  • Expertise
  • Corporate price negotiations
  • Time and cost savings
  • 24/7 support
  • On-time itinerary changes
  • Unique discounts
  • Personalized service
  • Better control of travel policies
  • Travel perks for employees

The Importance of Corporate Travel Agents for Hotels

Business travel can quickly get out of hand if not efficiently managed. Since more employees need to take business trips these days with often complex itineraries and multiple destinations, it is the job of corporate travel agents to handle such tasks. The role of travel agents within the hotel industry is of utmost importance. Hotels can gain more business travelers from companies via corporate travel agents since these agents are responsible for planning and booking events and accommodations for the employees of companies.

Most corporate travel agents use global distribution systems (GDS systems) to simultaneously book flights, hotel rooms, and rental cars. This allows travel agents to compare travel plans and costs by displaying real-time availability. Connecting to all major GDS systems is important to drive more corporate travelers to your hotel. By correctly presenting your property in GDS systems, including real-time availability and rates, hotels increase their chance to gain more corporate travelers and, as a result, increase their revenue.

8 Corporate Travel Agents to Gain More Business Travelers

Despite the popularity and competitiveness of online travel booking websites, the travel agency industry is still expected to grow further over the next few years. By catering to niche markets and providing additional services, such as event planning, it makes sense to work with a reputable business travel agent. Here are the top 8 corporate travel management companies to help hotels gain more business travelers:

 

Corporate Travel Agent - Amex Express – Global Business Travel

American Express Global Business Travel is one of the largest corporate travel agents in the world. Amex Express provides 24/7 coverage to corporate travelers who move around the globe. With the help of a business travel management agent, corporate travelers will get all the assistance and guidance they need to get the most out of their trip. With the extensive business travel network of Amex Express in over 130 countries, businesses are sure to find a corporate travel agent to manage their employees’ travel bookings.

Click here for information about Amex Express – Global Business Travel.

 

Corporate Travel Agents -Carlson Wagonlit Travel

Carlson Wagonlit, or CWT for short, is a leading digital travel management company providing first-class service to business travelers worldwide. This long-established corporate travel management company has a team of expert travel agents and uses the latest technology to book business travel. For anyone looking for the best flight, car rental, train tickets, hotel rates, and 24/7 customer support, CWT uses a single online platform to fulfill all the needs of business travelers.

Click here for information about Carlson Wagonlit.

 

Corporate Travel Agent - BCD Travel

BCD Travel is an international corporate travel management provider for business travelers that simplifies the search for hotels, flights, and more. With the innovative online tools from BCD travel, travelers can easily navigate their options and make the right choice. Some of the services the BCD travel agents offer include hotel savings, booking experience, cost savings, policy compliance, and comprehensive travel services. Aside from booking a trip, the agents will also change the employees’ travel plans accordingly, create invoices, find the best hotel rates, and inform them of any travel disruptions.

Click here for information about BCD Travel.

 

Corporate Travel Agency - HRG Worldwide

HRG Worldwide is a travel management company that specializes in business travel, data, and expense management. Based in the UK, this travel agency provides 24/7 support to travelers worldwide. No matter your destination, you will get access to the best deals and booking tools through this leading corporate travel agency, regardless of whether you’re on the phone, online, or on the move. Using a service tailored to your needs will give you complete control over your budget.

Click here for information about HRG Worldwide.

 

Corporate Travel Agent - Travel Leaders Group

The Travel Leaders Group was established in 2008 and has more than 50,000 travel agents worldwide. This company is one of the largest, offering luxury and corporate clients personalized service. The Travel Leaders Group is based in New York City and has more than 5,000 agencies throughout the UK, Canada, Mexico, USA, and other locations. It offers comprehensive travel packages, exclusive deals, and more for business travelers.

Click here for information about Travel Leaders Group.

 

Corporate Travel Agencies - Egencia

Egencia, part of the Expedia Group, is another leading business travel agency offering personalized experiences by providing access to the best travel options. Large and small businesses from all over the world can benefit from the innovative online tools of this agency to increase compliance and savings. With the launch of the latest Egencia app, hotel conversations can take place between hotel owners and travelers to confirm bookings or make requests.

Click here for information about Egencia.

 

Corporate Travel Agent - Booking.com Business

Booking.com for business travelers is the world’s biggest online booking portal. This travel management company provides customers access to listed hotels and apartments on Booking.com and offers details of the destination and event. The easy-to-use website allows business travelers to book and manage all their accommodations, car rental, and much more in one place. Booking.com allows business travelers to gain full visibility and control over their stays.

Click here for information about Booking.com Business.

 

Corporate Travel Agent - Corporate Travel Management Group - CTM Travel

CTM, or Corporate Travel Management, is like no other travel company and shouldn’t be confused with the services of a traditional agency. While travel agencies offer day-to-day services to business clients by making actual reservations according to company policy, CTM’s main role is to implement what’s been negotiated with the company. Simply put, the agents at CTM decide on the flight service class for your employees, negotiate rates with hotels and airlines, and ensure you get the best possible deal.

Click here for information about CTM.

Online Travel Agents (OTAs) to Increase Your Hotel Bookings

Every hotel owner or manager aims to increase bookings and drive customers to their website. Online travel agencies (OTAs) are the best distribution channel to turn to as they are the biggest contributors to filling hotels with customers during the peak and off-peak seasons. To increase your hotel’s occupancy, you must consider working with multiple online travel agencies to sell your rooms. With the help of OTAs, your hotel will increase its online visibility to a large number of people across the world. In the article “Online Travel Agents (OTAs) to Increase Your Hotel Bookings,” you will get an insight into the best platform for attracting customers to your hotel.

Since many companies outsource their travel management to corporate travel agents, it is beneficial for hotels to partner up with this kind of distribution channel. Hotels can optimize their distribution strategy by joining and working with corporate travel agents, resulting in more corporate guests.

More Distribution Tips to Optimize Revenue

The distribution mix that hotels choose to use has a significant impact on their revenue management strategy, and their overall success. In the following articles, you will find more distribution strategies to optimize your revenue:

More Tips to Grow Your Business

Revfine.com is a knowledge platform for the hospitality & travel industry. Professionals use our insights, strategies and actionable tips to get inspired, optimise revenue, innovate processes and improve customer experience. You can find all hotel & hospitality tips in the categories Revenue Management, Marketing & Distribution, Hotel Operations, Staffing & Career, Technology and Software.

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This article is written by:

Martijn Barten

Hi, I am Martijn Barten, founder of Revfine.com. With 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, I specialize in optimizing revenue by combining revenue management with marketing strategies. I have successfully developed, implemented, and managed revenue management and marketing strategies for individual properties and multi-property portfolios.