The Canadian Alliance of Business Travel, an education and research association…
The Canadian Alliance of Business Travel, an education and research association providing integral Canadian benchmarking data and educational exchanges for corporate travel executives, and Runzheimer International, a leading provider of travel program, policy and cost benchmarking information, released the findings of a joint survey on the travel management profession. Initial findings were released last month during a Canadian Alliance Education Exchange Day in Calgary to the acclaim of attendees.
“The data presented in the Canadian Travel Management Professional report gives Canadian corporate travel managers points of reference for understanding their status in relation to their peers, and it gives Canadian companies benchmarks for comparing their travel management programs to those of other companies,” said Canadian Alliance President, Tanya Racz, CCTE. “It’s my hope that this data will empower travel managers and their companies to strengthen their travel programs and the positions of corporate travel professionals.”
Brian Van de Water, Runzheimer vice president of Global Mobility Services, said, “This report is the only one of its kind in the Canadian market, making it a unique and important tool for companies and travel management professionals. Releasing the report now means its findings can be considered in year-end reviews and 2006 planning.”
The report is based on survey responses from 38 Canadian companies representing a variety of business classifications, company sizes and geographic regions. The majority of respondents manage travel programs for companies with more than 500 employees who travel regularly.
Thirty-six percent of respondents hold the title of manager. The average travel manager oversees eight direct reports and six outsourced employees. With regard to corporate structure, 30 percent report to finance, 17 percent to corporate services and 8 percent to each administration and procurement. While 63 percent of respondents earn between $41,000 and $70,000 per year, 22 percent earn more than $91,000 annually.
Respondents are loyal to their companies and experienced in their field. Sixty percent have worked for their employers for more than five years, and 45 percent have managed their companies’ travel for more than five years. Their responsibilities include numerous efforts that drive value for their companies. Among the most frequently reported responsibilities are policy enforcement, travel agency relations, travel policy development, travel vendor negotiations, communications to travelers and divisions, selection of self-booking or corporate online booking systems, and creation and analysis of management information reports. Each of these responsibilities was noted as a duty by more than 60 percent of respondents.
The report also indicates that education is important for travel managers. Forty-four percent of travel managers hold a university degree. On average, respondents attended two travel courses or seminars in the last 12 months. More than one-fourth attended Canadian Alliance of Business Travel Education Exchange Days, and 20 percent took university travel courses.
Asked about their impact on the bottom line, respondents indicated that their companies’ travel costs would be 37 percent higher on average without the efforts of a travel manager. The travel managers’ positive impact is projected to continue, with 53 percent saying their positions are strengthened by the current economic climate.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
