Frequently Asked Questions
About Corporate and Business Travel
FAQs From Business and Corporate Travellers About TravelManor
Can my corporate travel agent handle Forex for me?
Our TravelManor consultants facilite the foreign exchange order on your behalf. Our team will however require input and signatures at certain junctures in the process.
Will my corporate travel agent handle all travel insurance?
Our TravelManor experts are authorised to sell travel insurance on your behalf. Our team will however require input and signatures at certain junctures in the process.
Can TravelManor help manage our corporate travel expenses?
With 20+ years of experience in corporate travel and expense management, and thanks to our affiliation with Sure Travel Group, we are able to secure some of the best deals and also offer the convenience of a credit facility and single monthly payments. We negotiate special rates with airlines, hotels, car rental and transfer companies and provide accurate reports to measure, manage and reduce travel costs. We won’t lock you into a contract, and we are able to assist your CFO to plan ahead and provide financial accountability.
Frequently Asked Questions About Corporate Travel
What is the difference between a corporate travel agent and a leisure tourism travel agent?
Corporate travel agents have the necessary experience and know-how to assist business travellers who require expertly streamlined itineraries when they travel on behalf of their companies. Whereas leisure travel agents are normally more focused on the things to see and do in a given destination, our team works with each company and corporate traveller to ensure that their time on the road and in the air is spent as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.
What is bleisure travel?
The term ‘bleisure‘ is a cross-cultivation between ‘business and leisure’. It refers to a journey that has both business travel and leisure components. For instance, an employee who travels for work may choose to take leave days before or after the dates that they are due to be at a certain destination on behalf of their company, and use this time to explore a new and exciting destination.
When international corporate travel return to normal?
International corporate travel was impacted to a great degree by the COVID-19 virus from 2020 onwards, as well as the lockdown measures that were put in place worldwide to curb the spread thereof. The development and rollout of vaccines from 2021 onwards have allowed most countries and territories globally to open their borders to business and leisure travellers once more, but certain precautions are still in place to keep local and international travellers safe. As such, to a certain extent, things are back to the way they once were, but the pandemic has also changed the way we travel greatly. As such, it helps to have a corporate travel agent to assist travelling employees to navigate journey policies around the globe when they represent your company abroad.
How do I book corporate travel?
You can book corporate travel yourself, just like you would a personal journey, i.e. sourcing, paying for and securing confirmation of flights, transfers, accommodation, etc. However, since there is a lot of due diligence in play when employees travel on behalf of an employer, it helps to have a corporate travel manager to assist with this process so they may leverage their knowledge and network of travel contacts on your behalf.
What is corporate travel insurance?
Corporate travel insurance covers employees’ business travel, providing peace of mind by ensuring that unforeseen travelling costs, such as medical expenses, lost luggage, trip delays, or cancellation charges are covered on a business trip.
What is a corporate travel policy and why are corporate travel policies important?
A corporate travel policy is a formal document that details the procedures and rules of business-related trips. It is important to have this in place so there is an agreed-upon set of rules that govern all aspects of business travel, including booking, reporting, expensing and invoicing.
Frequently Asked Business Travel Services Questions
Why does a business need a corporate travel policy?
Businesses require a corporate travel policy to ensure equal and fair treatment of all their business travellers, and to provide travelling employees with a clear mandate on how time and resources should be spent during a corporate journey. These policies also provide a blueprint for the recourse an employee has in the event of unexpected happenstances that may occur while they travel for work.
Why does it help to have a travel agent in post-Covid 19 pandemic travel?
Every country, state, and territory around the world has slight variances in their response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and the legal ramifications this holds for foreign nationals, including business travellers, can change from one day to the next. Corporate travel planners keep track of these shifting landscapes to ensure that travelling employees are in compliance every step of the way.
Why do business travellers use corporate travel agents?
Business travellers use corporate travel agents to help them streamline their journeys to local and international destinations. These highly-skilled individuals understand the requirements of safe and seamless travel to countries around the world, and how to best tailor a journey that will yield an optimal return on investment in terms of money and time spent – both for the company and the individual. It can be as simple as finding secure and suitable accommodation for a female employee travelling alone, or as complex as plotting out a full itinerary for multiple employees who need to attend a variety of meetings with potential clients in a country where in-person translators and local escorts are required.
Corporate Travel Management FAQs
What happens if the airline cancels my flights?
When an airline cancels your flight/s due to something like mechanical issues, weather problems, etc. they should refund the price of your ticket/s. Our corporate travel planners are on hand to facilitate the refund applicaitons efficiently, timeously and to assist with the booking of an alternative flight.
What happens if I have to cancel my flights?
It depends on when you have to do so and on the fare conditions of the tickets purchased. The closer to the date of departure a cancellation is done, the trickier it can be to get a refund or extension on your ticket. Fortunately, our travel planners know the systems of each airline and will do their utmost to assist you in a way that suits your travel plans going forward.
What happens if I or one of my employees get stranded in a country?
An important part of our corporate travel service offering is the provision of contingency plans when issues like these occur. The solution will depend on the particulars of the situation, but you can rest assured that our TravelManor team will be able to assist you in arranging for extraction as quickly and efficiently as possible.
What happens if I or one of my employees lose their luggage?
The solution will depend on the particulars of the situation, but you can rest assured that our TravelManor team will be able to assist you in arranging luggage retrieval as quickly and efficiently as possible. It is imperative to report the loss or damage of luggage to the airline before leaving the airport – to obtain a tracking number.
What happens if I or one of my employees fall sick or is involved in an accident abroad?
The importance of taking out travel insurance cannot be stressed enough. The TravelManor team will be liaise with the travel insurance provider for the best possible medical care for your sick or injured team member as quickly and efficiently as possible.
How can TravelManor improve my corporate travel in 2022?
The world of corporate travel in 2024 looks a lot different than it did before. The TravelManor team is here to ensure you and your employees travel safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively when journeys are undertaken locally and internationally to represent your company. To this end, we offer individual and group corporate travel- and incentive journeys worldwide, including inbound travel in southern Africa and from South Africa to remote parts of Africa; as well as delegation organisation, conferences and foreign staff incentives. Our clients enjoy personalised one-on-one service from a dedicated travel consultant (no call centres!) and we are available 24/7 to assist with enquiries while you travel. We will arrange more than just flights and hotels – vehicle hire, charters, VIP services, visa assistance, travel insurance and much more. Get in touch today to find out how we can assist you to make your corporate travels count in 2024 and beyond.
What is corporate travel management and what are corporate travel managers?
Corporate travel management refers to the act of implementing a process to facilitate business travel for individuals, as well as groups of employees who travel on behalf of their employers. Corporate travel managers are trained individuals with experience in this field who spearhead the management of these journeys.
Why is it necessary to set up a corporate agreement with a travel agency?
Typically, a travel agency agreement covers important matters such as what services are included as part of your packages, as well as legal parameters pertaining to aspects such as payment obligations, cancellation fees and the limitation of liability for anything that could go wrong on a journey. Having a corporate agreement in place with the travel agency you choose to use for your business journeys safeguards both parties, since everyone is aware of the guidelines and knows what to expect.
How does TravelManor cater to the unique travel needs of the mining and engineering industries?
TravelManor excels in managing travel to remote and challenging locations, often required in the mining and engineering industries. Our team coordinates complex logistics and accommodations near project sites. With expertise in these sectors, we ensure seamless bookings and precise timing, even for last-minute changes. Our proactive approach guarantees efficient travel management, allowing your teams to focus on their work while we handle the rest with precision and care.
What services does TravelManor offer for offshore and marine travel?
TravelManor specialises in offshore and marine travel. We secure flexible bookings for flights, and accommodations, tailored to crew rotation needs. Our experience ensures smooth transitions for offshore workers, reducing downtime and maintaining operational efficiency. With an understanding of maritime operations and 24/7 support, we offer reliable and professional travel management services that align with the unique demands of this industry.
Can TravelManor handle complex itineraries for project management teams?
TravelManor is experienced in managing multi-destination travel for large-scale projects with demanding timelines. Our team creates detailed itineraries that optimise logistics across multiple locations, ensuring every leg of the journey is precisely coordinated. We handle tight schedules, last-minute changes, and intricate details with ease, allowing project managers to stay focused on their objectives. Whether it’s coordinating team movements or aligning with project milestones, TravelManor ensures seamless and efficient travel support for project manangers.
How does TravelManor support travel planning for the oil and gas industry?
TravelManor is a trusted partner for the oil and gas sector, expertly arranging travel to remote oil rigs, energy hubs, and industrial sites. Our understanding of this industry’s unique challenges, from unpredictable schedules to harsh locations, ensures dependable, efficient travel planning. With TravelManor, your team can count on precision and reliability, no matter how demanding the destination.
Does TravelManor provide travel solutions for financial services professionals?
TravelManor delivers tailored travel solutions for professionals in the financial services industry, ensuring efficient coordination for meetings, conferences, and client visits. We provide premium booking services, offering flexibility for dynamic schedules and seamless connections between appointments. Our attention to detail ensures reliable itineraries, high-quality accommodations, and round-the-clock support. With TravelManor, you’ll experience stress-free travel management that enables you to focus on your business goals while we handle all the logistics.
How does TravelManor ensure reliable travel coordination for industries with unpredictable schedules?
TravelManor is built for flexibility, expertly managing rapid rescheduling and adapting to last-minute changes. We provide 24/7 assistance, ensuring travel plans align with shifting priorities or unforeseen delays. Our team proactively secures flexible booking options and communicates updates in real time, reducing disruption. Industries with unpredictable schedules, from offshore operations to project management, can rely on our expertise to deliver efficient, seamless travel coordination at every turn.
What are the advantages of using TravelManor for marine crew travel?
TravelManor’s expertise in marine crew travel ensures seamless visa arrangements, flight bookings, and port accommodations tailored to seafarers and offshore workers. We understand the critical nature of crew changes and align schedules with maritime operations to minimise downtime. Our team handles complex itineraries, including multi-stop journeys and tight connections, with precision. By choosing TravelManor, you gain a dependable partner who ensures your crew arrives on time and stress-free.
