Hiring a travel assistant isn’t just for huge organizations anymore. Big and small companies experience a lot of hassle while booking trips. Not to mention the build-up of small losses they could easily prevent.

The 2020 COVID left many companies short on cash or bankrupted and has stunted the growth of industries in many companies. According to a survey,  41.3% of businesses were temporarily closed whereas 1.8% were permanently closed because of the pandemic. The situation was pretty close to the crisis faced in 2008.  

But we have overcome the breaking point. Now, companies are beginning to set their staff out to travel again. That is to say, more and more companies will be facing issues in the travel booking process. For companies that do travel management the traditional way, booking trips has become a pain. Hence it has become necessary for a company to hire travel planning services.

For this reason, travel management tools are like the go-to assistants for planning trips. In this blog, you will learn about the travel planning services that can centralize, automate and manage travel bookings for you.

Whether you are a first-time user or have been in this department for years, this blog will cover everything you need to know to make travel management easy.

What are travel planning services?

Travel management services are software that book, manage, track and keep a report on all the company trips. Some of the tools also offer features like automation of corporate travel policies and the ability to combine travel vendors and invoices.

Here is a list of tools that will make corporate travel planning more delectable.

1. Google Trips

Google is the creator of multiple tools and services that help people globally. Google Trips are yet another underrated service provided by the organization. Google Trips is a go-to assistant that gives you easy access to your itinerary.

If you already have a Google account, the app can withdraw dates and locations from confirmation emails before displaying them together. Now you won’t have to hunt your flight details from your inbox. The best part is that you can save all of this information offline. It means no more worrying about data roaming or connectivity issues.

That’s not all. This virtual travel agent uses a wide range of reviews before suggesting hotels and services for you. All the suggestions are such that they become easy to view and access. The software also provides tips and hints. For example, the app gives you a list of nearby restaurants of hospitals as tips.

Albeit this app is not just for business users, it is an outstanding solution for planning trips and maintaining their itinerary all in one place.

1. Travel Perk

Booking business travel is no doubt a challenge for the staff. Be it bouncing from site to site, finding comfortable and affordable flights, or fitting within the company budget. Even though this gives you a wide range to choose from, the effort becomes counterproductive. It’s a huge hassle and a waste of time.  

TravelPerk tenders a powerful travel management system with a large inventory. It helps travelers book their travel within the policy guidelines. Unlike Google Trips, TravelPerk is a tool built for business travel. TravelPerk has the world’s largest travel inventory. This tool brings a variety of airlines, hotels, and much more to its dashboard. Now you only have to visit one app to plan your trip.

Another perk of this software is that it makes tracking reporting bookings simple. Travel budget, expense reporting, and integrations are some of this app’s best features. This tool offers a free software option which is ideal for those who do not want to spend extra money on tools.

1. Flightfox

Flightfox offers personal travel planning services in modern software. Flightfox uses a network of travel experts to book the perfect experience for you. All on a computer or handheld device.

Many users of this tool are happy with the experience it gives. This tool incorporates technology with human proficiency. This maximizes your savings, convenience, and comfort. To book a trip on Flightfox, you have to offer a minimum bounty and wait for the app to suggest the best flights available.

1. Airbnb (For Work)

If you have used Airbnb for personal travel before and like it, Airbnb is no different. Airbnb gives you all the features of a private booking system while letting the company track the booking easily. Though there might be a few differences.

Bookings are registered on the company profile so that the finance team can track and create invoices without chasing anyone. It does not limit to overnight accommodation. This tool offers spaces for meetings, conferences, and also temporary offices.

Another feature of this tool is that it allows you to integrate with other apps like TravelPerk while using other features.

1. Lola.com

Lola is a tool that makes the process of booking and managing travel from three days to ten minutes. Lola is a simple software that organizes booking, reporting, and managing trips on a corporate level. Just like KAYAK, Lola offers an intuitive and agile solution for travel management.

Underneath the simple design of this tool lies powerful features that make it easy to stay on a budget while forecasting your expenses. The best part about Lola is that it offers 24/7 live support from travel experts that can help you out with any aspect of travel planning.

Combining all these features makes Lola the perfect virtual travel assistant.

1. Spendesk

Flight booking, hotel accommodation, or rental cars are considered travel spending. Keeping a track of all these expenses might get tricky if you are using different payment sources.

Using Spendesk will change that. Spendesk offers multiple payment methods from one account. This makes tracking your expenses easier since both payment methods are in the same name. Since all of the spendings is tracked, the finance team can generate reports for the same.

If you want safe and secure travel spending, SPendesk is the right option.  

1. Zoho Expense

Zoho Expense is an expense reporting software. The main features of this software are automating the records of expenses and simplifying expense reporting. It also provides control over business expenditures by streamlining the approval process.

Zoho automatically integrates with other apps saving you the time of doing so. You can approve all the related expenses after approving one using Zoho Books. Zoho Expense also records critical information so that you do not have to enter it again. Apart from this Zoho has a wide variety of features like multi-currency expenses and synchronizing that make tracking expenses a piece of cake.

1. Trippeo

Trippeo Technologies has compiled software that automates business expense management processes for organizations at all levels. Along with expense reporting, it can also book travel from within the platform. Even so, expense reporting is the more favored feature of the application.

This expense reporting tool lets you log in to every purchase and payment you do as you go. After that Trippeo helps you save and find every receipt. This comes in handy for employees while helping the finance team. The accuracy of its reports is usually high.

Another thing users love about this tool is its OCR software. This software generates and emails a receipt to the delegated inbox. The tool then syncs this with your payment. This saves you a pile of receipts in your workspace. Unlike other apps, this software might not be as comprehensive but it is pretty effective and easy to use.

1. AirHelp

Mishaps are bound to happen when you get your flight booked by someone else. At times, you get the wrong timings, or the flight may have been rerouted or canceled. In such cases, you might find yourself not knowing how to proceed.

In such cases, AirHelp is there for you. AirHelp is a management company that enforces passenger rights in case of flight disturbances. If your flight gets canceled or delayed, AirHelp checks what other options might be available for you. It also tells you if you are eligible for compensation.

Flight disruptions are something that most travelers do not take into consideration. They assume that these disruptions are acceptable as the company pays for them. But as these begin to pile up, you notice the rise in losses. In such cases, what your company needs is AirHelp. This tool allows your company to recoup your costs and improve your budget.

Features To Look For In Travel Planning Services

Travel planning services that cover functionality from data management to booking flights to policies to automatic expense tracking are one of the best solutions in the market. But their functionality can vary according to their pricing. At the same time, you do not want to choose software with a low-cost inventory. As a reason, you must study all the features these tools offer.

Now that you know what travel planning services to check, let’s discuss what features you need to know about.

• Large travel inventory
• Free 24/7 support
• No additional/hidden charges
• Round-the-clock travel support consisting of the direct line, chat, and email
• Easy booking for administrators
• Consolidated invoicing
• Self-booking
• Travel expense reporting
• Automated policy generation with customizations
• Automated workflows for approval
• A tool that can scale and adapt for future

These are some features your travel planning services must include.

The business industry is growing at a rapid rate. A few years ago most organizations depended on a traditional booking system for travel management. Due to our advancing technology, we can do three days worth of tasks within minutes.

As the travel industry is growing, the demand for these travel management tools is also increasing. As a result, the challenges for business owners are also arising. Here is a list of factors you must consider before selecting travel planning services.

Factors To Consider Before Selecting Travel Planning Services

1. Clear Data Reporting – You must know when, where, who, and what your money is spent on. For this, you need a system that increases your visibility. This makes it easier to track what your employees are spending. This data can be used to discuss future spending to decrease overall expenses.
2. Supports Travel Goals – Ask your employees what they need or expect when they are traveling. You need to have a system that sustains your company goals. Your travel management system should have flexibility while being easy to use.
3. Smooth Travel Arrangement – Your system should make travel a smooth experience for your employees. Consider using the type of online booking that allows your employees to be in one secure location. A good travel management system has a simple process that benefits the workers while booking flights.
4. Uses The Right Tools – In case of emergencies, your employees need to know whom to call or what support they will receive if things go wrong. Hence you must ensure that they have contact services available on the road. for this, you require a system that will be available for your employees and support them whenever needed.
5. Detail Handling – When your employees are on the road they need to focus on their work. This will only happen if they are not stuck handling minor details. So, you need a system that will sort out all the details for your employees.
6. Having A Robust Management Team – A good management team can identify opportunities within an organization and produce actionable results. You need a virtual travel agent that will provide you with a better understanding of saving money by lowering your budget.
7. Complete Resources – At times, you may need to send your employees to places you or they are not familiar with. In this situation, your travel assistant must have enough resources to find the best possible option for your employee. This will ensure smooth work in unfamiliar cities while guaranteeing security and comfort.
8. Customizing Your Trip – Most companies have preferences for providing services during travel. As a reason, you do not want a travel assistant whose work is limited. A good travel assistant considers your company preferences before booking your travel.  

Selecting travel planning services for your company is a big decision. You must pick the right one by considering the factors listed above. Having a go-to travel assistant who can manage the company culture and provide the necessary services within your budget is vital for success.

There are many travel planning services or tools available online. Regardless of what you choose, there will always be setbacks. An app is an app after all. It will take time before you can learn and access all the features of the app. Even after doing so, who is to say that the app will give 100 percent results? Yes, it can update you with the details and sort out your trips. However, there is a forever risk of a security breach with web-based applications.

The best way to eliminate the stress of travel management is to pick a virtual travel assistant that will make traveling safe and easy for the organization. Let’s see how a virtual assistant can help you with your travel management.

Hiring A Virtual Travel Assistant

Source : Canva

A Virtual Travel Assistant is a professional who remotely manages travel for your business. Apart from doing the tasks of travel planning services, it offers the services of a personal travel assistant. All while working remotely. Virtual travel assistants can schedule meetings, and handle your emails, so you can focus solely on your clients and events.

If you hire a virtual travel assistant, this is how your business trip will go. Get to the airport, board the flight, land and start your meetings. Yes, it’s that easy. You won’t have to worry about canceled flights, hotel reservations, or itinerary planning. All you have to do is spend your time adding finishing touches to your work or relax. Hiring a virtual assistant can make your dream trip come to reality.

If you think that is all a virtual travel assistant has to offer, then here are some benefits that will make you rethink it.

Why handle the details when your VA can do it for you? Whether it’s booking the cheapest flights or planning your itinerary, a VA can handle it for you. Another thing that VA’s offer but apps don’t is support. Hiring a VA will give you hours to spend on building your company. Your assistant will manage all the reservations for you which means you don’t have to spend time looking for the best hotels.

Working while traveling can be strenuous if you manage all the details. A virtual travel assistant will always be working so that you can proceed with a calm mind. Apart from this, you will never have to worry about unexpected changes. Your VA will keep on updating you so that you always remain on the right track. Booking cabs, and renting cars are the services a travel assistant does for you so that you do not get delayed.

Be it accommodation, booking, or coffee breaks, a VA will get you the best deals with good quality. You will not have to worry about the reviews of a hotel or the restaurant. You Va will make sure every event you host while traveling is the best for you. When it comes to the salaries of VA, they are flexible so you can gain more profits.

How To Hire A Virtual Travel Assistant

Now that you have seen how beneficial hiring a travel assistant can be, you must be wondering, how do I hire a VA? Don’t worry, you can hire a VA in 3 steps.

• Make a list of tasks that you want to assign to your VA.
• Describe these tasks in detail and the areas you need assistance in. You can also go through the virtual assistant job description template to know more.
• Post an ad or connect with a virtual assistant agency.

Virtual Assistant Agencies are the best way to hire a virtual assistant. At Wishup, one of the best VA agencies, we provide you with well-trained travel assistants.

Hiring VA from Wishup has its benefits. You get to choose from a range of professional, experienced, and trained travel assistants. You won’t have to worry about travel planning services and tools anymore. Your VA will make sure you have the best services at maximum profit.

Organizations like Wishup focus on giving personalized backing by making onboarding hassle-free. To ensure the best results, you need to specify what tasks to delegate to your virtual travel agent.  

After that, all that is left to do is mail us at [email protected], to hire your travel assistant.

Ending Note

Travel management is only a hassle if done unorganized. For a smooth traveling experience, you need travel planning services. But for an optimal business trip, you need a virtual travel assistant that will customize the trip for you.

At Wishup, we offer you the best solutions to multiple business-related difficulties. Check us out at Wishup or mail us at [email protected] to know more.