Hospitality Management
Article | June 20, 2023
Discover the solutions and services of the top 25 revolutionary travel management companies that are transforming the industry in 2023. Integrate the one adhering your business needs and budget.
Businesses seeking stress-free and streamlined corporate travel solutions can rely on travel management companies. These experts provide customized travel arrangements, taking care of every aspect of business travel, from flight and hotel bookings to travel policy compliance, support, car rentals, and more. With advanced technology and online booking tools, they offer cost-effective deals while ensuring adherence to corporate travel policies. Additionally, they empower businesses to design their travel expense policies, resulting in an enhanced corporate travel experience for employees.
1 Expertise in Field
Travel management companies (TMCs) are experts in the field of business travel. They handle emergencies with proper understanding and remedy measures. Some travel risk management companies are specially devised for this purpose.
2 Being More Organized
TMCs organize the operations of business travel more efficiently. Business travel involves massive paperwork, especially in big groups and itineraries. The paperwork associated with corporate travel is managed by international travel agencies in a way that is organized, thereby enabling travel companies to allocate their attention to other crucial matters.
3 Making Informed Decisions
Employees must adhere to the corporate travel program or policy when they travel for business. Travel policies vary across different organizations and typically encompass guidelines that employees are obliged to follow while traveling. They make travel decisions for the company according to their travel policy. TMCs also advise employees to meet business travel requirements without breaking the company travel policy.
4 Enhanced Networking
TMCs have established relationships with travel and hospitality companies worldwide over the years sent in the industry. Business travel companies or clients could get exclusive rates on travel occasions through TMCs. They provide better deals within a travel budget than any direct travel booking.
5 Expense management
TMCs are specialized in finding and negotiating the best travel deals with enterprise providers and partners. They have special access to lower rates on the airline, hotel rooms, and transportation. As a result, they reduce overall business travel costs and offer competitive name-brand selections.
6 Business Travel Support
The companies can reach out to the travel consultant day and night with business travel support. Furthermore, the employees are free from the stress of tracking various vendors, as they can get all of them on one platform, which is accessible through a variety of different channels.
Top 25 Revolutionary Travel Management Companies
To enhance their business growth, travel companies can utilize the following list of travel management companies as a reference:
1. Emburse
More than 12 million business professionals, including CFOs, finance teams, and travelers, trust Emburse in spend optimization for expense, travel management, and payment solutions. It helps FORTUNE 100 corporations, startups, public sector agencies, and nonprofit organizations, through automation, analytics, and spending control. It streamlines processes and increases spending visibility, compliance, and positive financial outcomes.
2. East West Hospitality
East West Hospitality has more than 30 years of success in businesses like association, vacation rental and property management, developer support, hotels, spas, fitness, restaurants, and retail operations. It simplifies complicated travel operations. It makes stay effortless with its extensive experience and local expertise. It offers memorable destination experience through its trusted hospitality services.
3. Wexas Travel Management
Wexas Travel Management is a full-service travel provider to companies and organizations that travel on business. It works with businesses in different sectors like financial, legal, marine, oil and gas, insurance and pharmaceuticals. Its consultant-managed and digital tools are customized to individual requirements. With the support of a well-established account management team, it provides a broad range of travel-related services.
4. Nomadix
With over 25 years of experience, Nomadix has over 5 million daily internet connections in 150 countries. It helps hotel and property owners, brands, property management groups, and managed service providers (MSPs) with solutions like internet access gateways, application management appliances, visitor-based networks, digital voice assistants, bandwidth management, and managed Wi-Fi.
5. HotelKey
HotelKey has direct connectivity to major OTAs or GDS channels. Its all-in-one system includes core PMS, built-in CRS distribution, automated revenue management, property website hosting, and a no-commission direct bookings engine. In addition, its platform provides web apps for the back of the house and mobile apps for the front desk, housekeeping, and maintenance teams.
6. Bonotel Exclusive Travel
Bonotel Exclusive Travel, an inbound tour operator for luxury travel, offers exclusive deluxe hotels, resorts, and upscale boutique properties. It has a vast network of suppliers, direct access to the international client base, and tour operators worldwide. It has developed strong business relations with tour operators and can provide access to hotel partners which makes it unique.
7. Peachtree Hospitality Management
Peachtree Hospitality Management, a division of Peachtree Hotel Group, is a best-in-class hotel management company that creates loyalty among the stakeholders like associates, guests, and owners. Its proprietary systems and processes maximize financial performance, enhancing efficiency and customer experience. In addition, it provides dedicated hotel management services with the extension of expertise to owners as a third-party hotel manager.
8. AmTrav
AmTrav enhances the productivity of business travel. It offers services for expense management, corporate travel, software, travel productivity, and business travel management. In addition, its platform provides personal service with travel experts and relationship managers through advanced technology, which is helpful for business travelers, travel arrangers, and travel managers.
9. Boatsetter
Boatsetter, a leisure, travel & tourism company, is specialized in boat rental and charter, collaborative consumption, marine industry, travel, and adventure. It has partnered with GEICO and BoatUS to design an exclusive Peer-to-Peer Boat Rental Policy, inspiring boat owners’ engagement and encouraging entrepreneurship on the water. It helps to review the booking requests and inquiries from renters, manage all their bookings on the website or the application, and the payouts, which are processed quickly and connected to their bank account directly.
10. Norse Atlantic Airways
Norse Atlantic Airways offers affordable transatlantic flights with environment-friendly and comfortable Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. It offers affordable fares to destinations and service on board modern and fuel-efficient Dreamliners for corporate and personal travel. It strengthens the employer-employee relationship and has entered into collective bargaining agreements with cabin crew and pilot unions in the U.S., U.K. and Norway. It incorporates a low-cost business model and approach for the cost-efficient airline without prior financial restraints.
11. InsureMyTrip
InsureMyTrip, an online travel insurance comparison site, serves customers worldwide with its licensed customer services. Its unique customer advocacy program provides assistance throughout the travel journey. It provides recommendations of best plans per the trip details and the best travel insurance plan that matches the traveler’s need, irrespective of the commission or company, with a money-back guarantee. In addition, its licensed representatives, Anytime Advocates, help with the insurance claim process.
12. Sonder Inc.
Sonder Inc., a hospitality company, provides a seamless business travel management experience through technology and innovation. It offers a variety of accommodation options, from rooms to suites and apartments. Its application empowers guests with self-service features and 24/7 support. Without any formality, it offers simple self-check-in to boutique bathroom amenities.
13. Operto Guest Technologies
Operto Guest Technologies, a hospitality automation and IoT operating system for vacation rentals, hotels, and serviced apartments, is revolutionizing hospitality management. It provides personalized stays, contactless check-in, guest satisfaction, operational efficiency and more revenue opportunity through technology that connects teams, guests, managers, smart devices and ancillary third-party service providers. With purpose-built software and smart IoT devices, it offers property managers unique real-time visibility and control. Its automation features include integrated keyless entry, energy savings, noise and occupancy monitoring, and personalized in-suite technology.
14. Life House
Life House is a vertically integrated hotel software, brand, and management company. It provides operational expertise to build robust software to enhance profitability and operational ease in independent hotels. It specializes in hotel software development, financial reporting, interior design, product management and operations, hotel management, and enterprise SaaS.
15. PCH Hotels and Resorts
PCH Hotels and Resorts is a franchised management company with Marriott. Beginning with the acquisition of the Grand Hotel Resort & Spa, PCH has grown to become the top hospitality employer in Alabama. Currently, PCH manages four Renaissance Marriott resort properties, three Marriott resort properties, one Autograph Collection resort, one select service IHG property, and one Outlet Shop. Each property is minutes from the extensive world-class Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.
16. Spotnana
Spotnana powers unparalleled global travel experiences. It modernizes the travel industry's infrastructure to bring travelers freedom, simplicity, and trust everywhere. Its travel-as-a-service platform makes travel simpler and affordable for corporations. It's our ecosystem of agency, supplier, and technology provider partners to increase operational efficiency, new revenue opportunities, and innovation.
17. GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide is a travel bookingplatform connecting travel enthusiasts, experts, and technologists with people. It helps in discovering the destination’s best activities and attractions. In addition, it simplifies the digital travel reality by offering data-driven insights, technology, and market expertise through its destination management company database.
18. VTrips
VTrips offers services for vacation rental property management, guest management with dedicated property managers and best advertising and marketing approach. It is the premier property management company serving in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. It also provides vacation rental guest experiences through its quality management and personalized services for real estate and corporate travel.
19. Trip.com
Trip.com specializes in OTA, flight tickets, hotel booking, train tickets, and internet services. It has an extensive hotel network for a diverse choice of accommodation. Its flight network has over 2 million individual flight routes connecting more than 5,000 cities around the globe. It combines 24/7 English customer service and various travel products necessary for a successful trip.
20. Deem, Inc.
Deem, Inc., a corporate travel booking software, helps in policy adherence, better travel decisions, employee engagement, and cost control through secure solutions. It allows travel managers to customize their travel programs. It integrates into travel and expense management companies & travel agencies with powerful APIs and design.
21. Mondee Holdings, Inc.
Mondee Holdings, Inc is a group of travel technology, service, and content companies driving innovation in the leisure, corporate, and retail travel markets. It delivers a revolutionary technology platform of SaaS, mobile, and cloud products and services to a global customer base. Major corporations, SMBs, travel agencies, and new gig economy workers use its easy-to-use technology platforms to access global travel content, services, and products. Corporations like Rocketrip and TripPlanet trust it for cost-saving, employee safety, and sustainable future.
22. Priceline
Priceline, a part of Booking Holdings, Inc., provides the best deals for hotel rooms, flights, rental cars, vacation packages and cruises. It specializes in online travel services and ecommerce through its internet publishing platform. It uses cloud computing to provide personalized and alternative recommendations for travel.
23. Egencia
Egencia, an American Express Global Business Travel Company, is a B2B travel tech platform. As part of the valuable marketplace in business travel, it provides data insights and AI-driven innovation that power the travel programs of 9000+ companies in more than 60 countries. It specializes in online business travel booking, purchasing, technology, travel management, corporate travel management, and travel app.
24. Forbes Travel Guide
Forbes Travel Guide renders hotel, restaurant, and spa reviews, travel advice, learning tools, service training, guest experience, and customer services. Its star rating standards reflect the industry's highest levels of service and facility measurement worldwide. With experience in the industry, it provides more reliable information about the travel recommendations and booking.
25.ADTRAV
ADTRAV provides technology solutions for business travel management of corporations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Through the help of federal contractors, it maintains compliance with federal travel regulations and fulfills the audit requirements of the DCAA with its government travel expertise.
Conclusion
Collaboration with travel management companies has many advantages, like expense management, business travel support, enhanced networking, making informed decisions, being more organized, and expertise in the field. However, business travel must integrate with the companies according to their budgets and requirements. The travel companies must keep aside the stress of planning, booking & tracking the travel vendors for employees' business travel and rely on TMCs for a cost-effective and comfortable corporate travel experience.
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Hospitality Management
Article | July 24, 2023
If a kid comes to me nowadays and tells me about his passion for working in the hotel industry, he goes back home with a dream to become a pilot. I am not saying that the hotel industry is the worst kind of industry currently existing in today’s environment, but I am also not denying that.
Now, no offence to the hoteliers. You guys rock! It is no joke to work on a New Year Eve and see other people celebrating it while you guys make it happen. You have my respect! But I am probably not that tough. It took me a whole trial and error approach to declare this industry a nightmare for me. But I have so many of my friends still working in hotels and loving every second of their life. (At least that’s what they tell me.)
So why were our experiences so different? Why do I know that so many people are not really made for this industry? And what does it take to be a hotelier? I will try to answer these questions through my experience and observations.
Why Hotel Management?
It is that one question that is the most common and important one. Before taking any big decision, one should be asking a similar question. But what was my why?
Allow me to rewind my journey. I was in my 12th with commerce stream, and I was going through that self-enquiry phase. What after this? There was no 13th, nor did I enjoy accountancy too much to do it until I die.
So I used to surf the internet and explore different career options almost every day. That was one of my significant hobbies during that time. I used to evaluate my choices, and very soon I understood that I had limited options in the commerce field. So it was arts then? But what was the median salary in that sector?
After a lot of research, I realised the median salary in the arts sector was ‘disappointing’.
But still, if not that, then what? What was I going to do with my life? It was then that I saw the picture of a cruise ship and remembered 'Titanic'. It was then that I imagined the luxury of a 5-star hotel. It was that moment where I was about to make one of the stupidest decisions of my life.
I had never stepped into a kitchen nor showed the slightest interest in making any dish. I never really fancied cleaning glasses, nor did I like managing people under me. I also didn’t know absolutely anything about what was this industry all about.
But I dared to share it with my sister, and she was like, wow! It sounds so different! I told this to my friends, and they were like, wow! We always knew you would be doing something different! I told this to my father, and he told me students have to clean toilets during the internship, and I shouted, ‘But that’s not a big deal! Anyone can do that!’ Dad said, ‘Do whatever you want to do then, my son.’
Well, so what did I want apart from freedom in my life at that point? Maybe maturity? Oh! Screw that!
So I gave the entrance exam and got a decent rank. I desired to stand in the lobby of a 5-star-hotel and meet salacious women. I was pretty sure that many women would choose that industry apart from me. That was enough motivation! So yes, my reasons to choose the hotel industry was very logical and thoughtful, suffice to say.
What Happens in a Hotel?
The hotel industry is one of the most glamorous industries out there. Everything is so clean, eloquent, expensive, and pretty. People come to a 5-star hotel, are warmly welcomed, served drinks; they are provided comfortable beds to sleep in, and they enjoy their stay and endless services. Then they simply check out.
My only mistake while considering this option was that I wouldn’t be treated like one of those ‘People’ there. In our very first lecture, the term ‘Guest’ was taught to us and how we are not them. We are the ones who would serve them. We would be the waiters, the cooks, the greeters, the bartenders, etc. We wouldn’t be drinking with them but watching them while they would be cavorting.
That was a shocker! So many things happen in a hotel, and hoteliers make those things happen. They do all the hard work. The Bakery Chef would spend hours decorating the cake, which the guests would smash on each other's faces. The housekeeper would clean the bathtub while the guest would take five more baths after that.
The front desk agent would be greeting the guest during check-in, and the guest would throw tantrums because of his arduous journey. Suddenly my bubble broke, and I realised what I really signed for. I signed for an everyday vacation in hell.
Who Survives?
I think adulthood is about that realisation when you get to know that bread isn’t free. And what buys that bread isn’t that easy to get. And how much that thing matters to you is going to decide how happy you are going to be in your life.
If I was that guy who had grown up watching Masterchef and experimenting in the Kitchen all my life, then a Gordon Ramsey could have come out of me.
If I were a fastidious guy who wanted everything to be clean and perfect, then an entrepreneur or a manager could have come out of me who would have tried to do that during his job.
If I were a guy who loved making people smile, then interacting with guests while serving the food or taking their check-ins would have been the best things out there for me.
You get my point! There are so many things that could have made hotel management an ideal career choice for me. It really is a glamorous industry, and it can provide satisfaction as a career option to some people out there. But that wasn’t the case with me. Sadly that wasn’t the case with many of my batchmates and colleagues of mine as well.
After completing my three-year graduation, four-month industrial training, and one-year job as a Front Desk Agent, I quit. Nor could the managers inspire me, nor any other incentives that the industry had to offer. My future looked as grim as the life of an insect (No offence to you if you are an insect.)
So yes, be wise before choosing this industry because this industry demands a lot! It is one of the most selfless jobs out there, and you have to be prepared for the nasty feedbacks after all your hard work. So do some self-inspection (Unlike me) if you are stuck in this industry or are planning to do so.
And if you love where you are right now, then as I said, you have my respect.
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Article | September 10, 2020
As COVID-19 wreaks havoc across the globe, tourism-dependent regions are suffering exponentially. The continent of Africa is one glaring example, with South Africa propelled into the global top 10 for coronavirus infections, reportedly now surpassing the United Kingdom in cases. For its part, the tourism and industrial sectors in North Africa will likely be hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the African Development Bank’s 2020 edition North Africa Economic Outlook report.
Even as Africa contends with pandemic concerns, there are still throngs of travelers who are keen to visit the region in the near future. Many are doing diligence to discern if, when and how to go about scheduling a trip to this tourism hotspot.
To help spotlight some top-line issues, I turned to entrepreneur and philanthropist Jay Cameron, Executive Director of Maximum Impact Travel. As one of the leading global experts on Africa travel and commerce, Cameron’s insights are invaluable as travelers deal with this tumultuous situation, helping ensure they plan smartly in the post-pandemic era.
MK: What are the key do’s and don’ts when traveling to Africa amid COVID-19?
JC: Surprisingly, some African countries have escaped the devastating impacts COVID-19 has caused globally. While other countries around the world have experienced often overwhelming consequences as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, much of Africa appears to have been spared. Even so, the statistics do not suggest the citizens of the countries of Africa have not felt its impact. The fact is, many countries in Africa are seeing regular increases in the numbers of those infected by the novel coronavirus, while much of the world is experiencing a decline in infections.
Around the world, experts warn outbreaks of COVID-19 in Africa may continue, resulting in a higher rate of deaths due to the limited local health services available. With coronavirus worries come fears of potential famine due to the virus threat, in combination with existing drought conditions and ongoing conflicts.
With this in mind, should you intend to travel to the continent now, or post-COVID-19, you should be prepared. Some good preparedness ideas include researching virus statistics in the country you wish to visit that, for one, you can review at AfricaNews.com. It is also advisable to learn if said country has any travel restrictions, which is information that is accessible online via at CDC.gov. Of course, maintaining a healthy lifestyle to boost immunity before and during your visit is also key.
MK: Should travelers be ready to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result, either before departing or upon arrival?
JC: African countries are now opening for foreign travelers, but this does not indicate the belief that they have won the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Most African countries are still battling with COVID-19 outbreaks, as the number of infected cases continues to rise daily in nearly every African country. To this end, stringent efforts are in place to ensure individuals arriving on the continent and entering various countries are free of the virus.
With this in mind, you should be prepared to present proof of negative COVID-19 status before entering the country to which you are traveling. This measure is being implemented around the globe and the countries of Africa are no exception.
In the same vein, departing any African country will require the same proof of negative COVID-19 status. Both mandates are in place to protect your fellow travelers on the flight as well as the residents of the country to which you are traveling. As things ebb and flow, you can check the status of this mandate online at AfricaTravelInc.com.
MK: What would you suggest about localized regulations?
JC: Travelers must research the localized regulations and requirements with respect to hotel and resorts, airports, ground transportation, public spaces and such for both their own country and their destination.. It is necessary that you understand departure rules from your country of origin, and even more important that you understand your destination country’s prevailing laws for foreign travelers regarding COVID-19. Some African countries like Tanzania and Zambia, for example, have mandated the use of face masks in public places with punishment for the contravention of such laws. Some hotels and resorts also have taken stringent measures and issued their own strict requirements for travelers arriving from foreign countries. For example, at this time, hotel bars in Rwanda are closed but the hotels themselves remain open.
Researching and understanding these laws before traveling enables you to stay safe during your visit and steer clear of legal issues with the local authorities. A helpful resource for staying up-to-date on laws that might affect travel to Africa can be found at Travel.State.gov.
MK: What about the airlines, specifically?
JC: Investigate the requirements for your airline as each carrier has varied responses to COVID-19. As a result of the pandemic, most airlines have adopted measures to keep their passengers and their staff safe. While some airlines like Delta require proof of a negative COVID-19 test before boarding your flight, others provide testing before your flight and attach the result to your ticket. Therefore, to ensure you are able to fly when scheduled, it is your responsibility to know the requirements of your airline before the flight to avoid any issues. A good resource for this is Go2Africa.com.
MK: Should tourists be prepared for temperature screenings and COVID-19 tests upon arrival and departure?
JC: As pointed out earlier, many African countries are still battling the pandemic, so to keep the residents of their countries safe post-COVID-19, airports have been mandated to request test results or test passengers on-site. Therefore, when traveling, you should be prepared for a coronavirus test upon arrival or departure from any African country. If you refuse to allow this, you will not be able to fly.
MK: What about a potential 14-day quarantine upon arrival—is that only for travelers who show signs of COVID-19?
JC: Apart from testing, be prepared for a 14-day quarantine if you show signs of the virus or test positive during a test given at the airport. African countries are determined to ensure the pandemic is eliminated completely from their countries. If you show symptoms of the virus upon your arrival in any country in Africa, you will likely be quarantined for 14 days. This can even entail having to stay in the country instead of returning to the U.S.
MK: Would you say that travel insurance is an imperative?
JC: Make sure your travel insurance company offers COVID-19 coverage and arrange for COVID-19 travel insurance requirements from airlines. You will want to be insured by your travel insurance company for COVID-19 coverage before traveling to any African country. Check with your travel insurance company to ensure COVID-19 is covered under their insurance policy, in the event you need to change your travel plans due to the pandemic. Such coverage policy can protect you by covering expenses related to unexpected changes and/or medical care in the event of illness.
MK: With any trip, but especially now, there can be unforeseen circumstances. Any insights on that front?
JC: DO NOT travel without extra funds and the ability to extend your trip in the event of a quarantine. With the points mentioned above, there is a great likelihood you will be required to spend more time and money in the country to which you are traveling if your COVID-19 test is positive. As a result, it is advisable to travel only if you are prepared with time and financial contingency plans. However, African countries are not barring U.S. travelers at the same rate as other countries, meaning you can potentially realize your dream safari vacation or other adventure across the continent’s beaches, jungles and deserts.
As the world contends with COVID-19 issues, African countries will endeavor to stay open for tourism, business and much more. Preparing for, and abiding by, the region’s travel requirements will make your journey and overall stay in the country more enjoyable and safer for all.
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