Navigating international business travel trends: A guide for South African travel managers
As a South African business travel manager, you might think what happens in New York or London stays there. But here's the kicker: in today's interconnected world, international trends have a sneaky way of showing up on our doorstep faster than you can say "jetlag". That's why keeping an eye on global trends isn't just interesting - it's essential. It's like having a crystal ball that helps you anticipate the next big thing before it becomes a big headache back home.
This is precisely why FCM Consulting produces quarterly reports focusing on international business travel trends. Think of them as your cheat sheet for staying ahead of the global game, and optimising your corporate travel solutions.
Bonnie Smith, GM of FCM, puts it well when she discusses the need to be flexible in our industry, especially when it comes to international travel. It's all about reading the room (or, in our case, the global skies), adjusting your plans, and being ready for whatever comes next.
"Corporate travel consultants or travel managers who can spot and adapt to international industry changes are better able to make smart choices that help their companies. As what global business travellers want and what the international industry offers keeps changing, understanding these trends can turn a travel programme from just a cost into something that really adds value to the business," she says.
So, let's dive into a framework that'll help you navigate these ever-changing international waters. We'll look at what global business travel trends mean for you, your South African travellers, and your bottom line - and how you can use them to your advantage.
Identify key international trends
First things first, you need to figure out which global trends are actually worth your time. It's like panning for gold in a river that stretches from Johannesburg to Japan - you've got to sift through a lot of stuff to find the nuggets that matter for South African business travel.
What to keep an eye on:
- Booking patterns: Are international travellers suddenly booking trips months in advance, and should your South African travellers follow suit?
- Pricing fluctuations: Is the cost of flying to London suddenly through the roof? How might this impact your budget for overseas trips?
- Supplier capacity: Has your favourite international airline suddenly cut half its routes to South Africa?
- Accommodation rates: Are you paying more for that standard room in New York than you did last year? How does this compare to local rates?
- Car rental rates: Have overseas car rental costs skyrocketed, or are there new bargains to be found?
Analyse the impact on your business travel
Now that you've spotted the global trends, it's time to put on your detective hat and figure out what they mean for your South African travel programme. FCM can be your Watson in this international investigation, providing global travel data and reporting and industry insights to help you connect the dots.
Here's how to crack the case:
- If everyone's booking early for international trips, maybe it's time to tweak your policy to encourage this behaviour for your South African travellers too. After all, early bird gets the worm (and the savings), no matter which hemisphere you're in.
- Are international airfares going up faster than a helium balloon? Time to revisit that budget before it bursts. FCM can help you find alternative routes or airlines that might offer better value for your rand.
- If your usual international flight routes are being cut, you might need to get creative. Maybe it's time to explore options for longer stays to fit in more meetings per overseas trip.
- Keep a close eye on those global accommodation rates. If they're all over the place, you might need to rethink your international hotel programme. FCM can help you obtain negotiated rates based on your South African company's global travel volume.
- Don't forget about wheels on the ground. If overseas car rental rates are fluctuating, it might be time to reassess your ground transport strategy for international trips.
Stay in-the-know with our quarterly trends report
Discover the current trends and how they impact your travel programme in the future.
Implement actionable changes for your business
Alright, you've done your global homework. Now it's time to put that knowledge to work in the context of your corporate travel programme.
Here's your action plan:
- Give your travel policy a makeover with an international flavour. If early booking is saving bucks on global travel, make it the new norm for your South African travellers and put a cap on those business travel costs.
- Play global budget Tetris. Shift those rands around to where they're needed most, considering the changing costs of international air travel, accommodation, and car rentals.
- Channel your inner global haggler. Use your international trend knowledge to negotiate better deals with overseas suppliers. FCM can be your wingman in these cross-border negotiations.
- Rethink your accommodation strategy. If global hotel rates are rising, maybe it's time to look at long-stay options or serviced apartments for those extended international trips.
- Get creative with ground transport. If car rental rates are through the roof in certain cities, consider alternatives like ride-sharing services or public transport where feasible.
Monitor and evaluate from a regional perspective
You've made changes based on international trends, but how do you know if they're working for your South African business traveller? Time to keep score. FCM can provide regular reports to help you track your progress on the global stage.
Here's how to keep track:
- Set some goals with an international focus. What does success look like for your global travel programme from a South African perspective?
- Schedule regular check-ins on international performance. Don't wait for year-end to see how your global strategy is going. FCM's quarterly reports on international trends can be a great starting point for these reviews.
- Listen to your South African travellers about their international experiences. They're on the global front lines, after all. If something's not working overseas, they'll let you know (probably loudly and repeatedly, with a distinctly South African flavour).
Prepare for future business travel global trends
Last but not least, keep your eyes on the international horizon. The global travel world moves fast, and you don't want your South African programme to be left in the dust.
Stay ahead of the worldwide game:
- Keep your finger on the global pulse. Subscribe to international industry news, attend webinars on worldwide trends, and most importantly, stay tuned to those quarterly FCM Consulting reports on global movements.
- Build some flex into your policies to handle international curveballs. The only constant is change, so make sure you can roll with the punches, whether it's a new route opening up from Johannesburg to Jakarta or changes in European accommodation rates.
- Stay alert to supplier changes. Keep an eye on airline mergers, hotel chain acquisitions, and car rental company shake-ups that could affect your international travel options.
So there you have it. A framework to help you navigate the choppy waters of international travel trends, whether you're sending people from Polokwane to Paris or Durban to Dubai. Remember, as a savvy South African travel manager, you're not just reacting to global changes - you're anticipating them, adapting to them, and using them to your advantage on the world stage.