Get ready for take-off

FCM’s COVID travel support suite for clients is a smooth blend of travel tech, intelligence and people power

Australian businesses have never been more ready to embrace travel. With more than 88% of Australia’s population fully vaccinated and many states close to or above the 90% vaccination threshold, it’s time to buckle up for take-off.

To help your travellers adapt to the new post-COVID-19 landscape, FCM’s COVID support suite for clients includes seamless tech, easy-to-navigate resources and Travel Managers who have the direct support of a dedicated COVID HUB travel team. Our approach to help business prepare for travel ensures clients have accurate information fast and at their fingertips - for pre, during and post travel.

FCM Australia General Manager, Melissa Elf, said FCM’s client COVID suite combines a range of powerful traveller tools that tap into real time travel and government intelligence to provide customers with information however and whenever they need it.

“Our new COVID Travel Hub has two awesome country search tools for users to view entry requirements for the destinations they’re travelling to, traveller checklists and international destination guides for high demand destinations,” Melissa said.

“This is a must-visit site for anyone travelling domestically or internationally right now as it ‘uncomplicates’ what travellers need to think about or do before, during and after travel.”

Melissa said that while all clients had similar objectives around needing information that’s accurate quickly, not everyone liked receiving information in the same way.

“This is why our blended approach to providing COIVD support is so effective, because it caters for the travel and procurement managers that need technology for visibility and communication capabilities and then we have dedicated travel managers on standby for travellers if they have queries before a trip or in the case of an emergency,” Melissa said.

“Added to this is our FCM Mobile app, which is an essential support and communication tool for travellers and travel bookers.”

FCM’s approach to supporting businesses and travellers includes:

COVID Travel Hub

Before travelling domestically or internationally be sure to visit our COVID Travel Hub. Our Hub includes a country search tool that provides real-time data based on where you’re travelling to and from. The Hub also includes an interactive map that visually showcases which countries are open for travel and what entry requirements are in place. Both tools are powered by FCM partner and global safety leader, Sherpa. On the site you’ll also find pages dedicated to domestic and international travel, destination guides, as well as super handy traveller checklists.

Sherpa integration with FCM’s online booking tool

A new and very cool integration between FCM’s online booking tool and global travel safety leaders Sherpa provides detailed border restrictions and entry requirement details for domestic travellers in Australia. Visible as a pop-up at the top of the booking availability screen, the information covers what’s required for interstate entry, transit and arrival. Guidance covers passport, vaccination, COVID-testing and quarantine requirements. Sherpa’s travel data draws on intelligence from over 2,000 official sources including government, travel and professional service organisations.

FCM’s online booking functionality also supports passenger contact tracing, has a ‘Clean Hotels’ indicator and displays COVID-19 policies for airlines at point of booking.

Pre-travel itinerary info

FCM is also supporting travellers with pre-trip COVID emails. The pre-travel reminders include information on all the things you need to do or consider before flying such as vaccination, border requirements and PCR testing. The emails also have a handy link to our COVID Travel HUB.

FCM Mobile – here, there, everywhere!

The FCM Mobile app puts your travel program in your pocket. Whether you’re at the airport, on the road or checking into accommodation, our mobile app lets travellers change plans and receive critical schedule and flight updates on the go. From powerful reporting, to travel changes and updates, our mobile app is available online, in app and in your inbox to make travel smooth and safe.

Seamless tech backed by people power

FCM’s Travel Managers are backed by a new internal online resource centre and internal travel team dedicated to providing expert COVID-19 travel advice. The initiative provides Travel Managers with a single online location and team of senior travel experts on standby to help with complex COVID customer travel requests or itineraries. The internal team provides support for Travel Managers on everything from country COVID requirements to supplier policies and crisis support.

Melissa said FCM was committed to supporting clients and travellers through this next phase of travel.

“The business travel landscape maybe more involved than it was pre-COVID-19, but that shouldn’t deter people from travelling. And we believe it’s the role of a TMC to provide as much support as possible to help people get back in the sky safely and with confidence,” Melissa said.