It's a paradox: for French companies, business travel is the second or third largest item of expenditure outside production, after salaries, yet when it comes to education, this key sector is far from having won its spurs. This is undoubtedly due to its close or distant link with the world of tourism, an area which certainly contributes to the general economic development of France, the world's leading tourist destination, but which is still somewhat devalued.
According to a parliamentary report drawn up by Arlette Franco on Diplomas and training in the tourism industry(1), "there is no single professional branch, nor any general architecture for training in the tourism industry". This observation, which applies to the tourism sector in general, is even more severe when it comes to the training of both travel managers and business travel decision-makers.
A look at the past helps us to better understand the current situation: in the past, in the absence of specific initial training, these professionals were often trained "on the job". For example, the secretary or assistant to a top executive was often called upon to devote all or part of his or her time to booking train or plane tickets and hotel accommodation to prepare for the complex travel arrangements of their superiors.
This situation continues. Unless, as is increasingly the case in large companies, the management of business travel is the responsibility of the purchasing function. For example, since the beginning of this year, the purchasing department has taken charge of travel within the Assystem group. This engineering and consultancy specialist uses an online travel booking tool, which has now been fully deployed to manage the budget of some €3.5 million.
Few higher education courses
When it comes to tourism, whether for the general public or for business travellers, France suffers from a clear lack of higher education courses. As Arlette Franco points out in her report, "courses are too generalist and only have links with tourism through a simple option". In this context, specialised training in business travel is still rare.
Once they have passed their baccalauréat, young people interested in this activity can study for a two-year diploma, such as the BTS (brevet de technicien supérieur) in tourism, sales and production, or a diploma in marketing techniques awarded by an IUT (institut universitaire de technologie). Graduates with a 2-year higher education qualification can go on to further their studies by enrolling at Escaet (École supérieure de commerce et d'administration des entreprises du tourisme), for example.
Based in Aix-en-Provence, this business school offers a course of study dedicated to 'corporate travel', with the aim of training tourism managers sought after by international companies. The course enables students to develop a general culture through a global vision of the tourism industry, the positioning of each player and their development strategies. This is complemented by an introduction to specific IT tools and GDSs (global distribution systems) such as Amadeus and Sabre. "Based on the results of the first class, which graduated in November 2005, 90 % of our graduates are working, with an average annual starting salary of 28,000 euros", says Jean-Maurice Thurot, Director of Escaet, the school whose diploma is awarded by a professional jury of 27 managers. This course of study, which is brand new and therefore still somewhat confidential, is set to expand; the current intake numbers only around fifteen students.
"Unlike the United States, in France there is as yet no real curriculum for initial training, either for business managers or purchasing managers", notes Benoist Cyriaque, travel purchasing manager at Alcatel and chairman of the business travel study and benchmarking group at Cedaf (the French company of managers and buyers), who adds: "Nevertheless, as companies become increasingly aware of the strategic role of this very significant item of expenditure, appropriate training courses are being set up."
Multi-buying specialists
There are several ways to become a buyer. For example, Essec, the famous business school, offers students at the end of their studies or young professionals a specialised master's degree in "international purchasing management". "Whatever your sector of activity, this one-year course enables you to master traditional or more innovative techniques and tools, to be at ease at national and international level, to be able to move from purchasing strategy to the actual purchasing contract and to know how to deal with national or foreign suppliers", explains Essec. The course is supplemented by an assignment in a company, followed by a professional thesis and a study trip abroad. But it does not focus solely on business travel.
General continuing education
This generalist approach is also reflected in continuing education. This is provided by private institutes. Companies that have already exploited sources of savings in direct purchasing are now focusing on non-production purchasing. Cegos believes that "provided that practices are professionalised throughout the purchasing process, there are still many areas where savings can be made in services and overheads". With this organisation, it is possible to pinpoint overheads requirements, such as travel, logistics, security, property, etc. It should be noted that Arseg (Association des responsables de services généraux) has joined forces with Cegos to offer a short training cycle. In a slightly more targeted approach, Demos has set up a course for newly-appointed assistants, focusing on the organisation of professional events and business travel.
Training courses devoted strictly to business travel are still rare in France. Acte (Association des décideurs du voyage d'affaires) organises a few educational sessions at its global conferences. "We're thinking about setting up a certification scheme with a Dutch, Belgian and Swiss university", says Stanislas Berteloot, Marketing Director at KDS and an active member of Acte. For its part, Voyages d'Affaires magazine has long had its own training department. "Every year, we offer around ten one-day sessions in Paris on topics relating to business travel, such as relations with travel agencies, reducing the hotel budget and travel strategy and policy", explains Jean-Luc Jankowski, head of training. These courses, which are paid for by the company's training budget, are aimed at travel managers, buyers, travel managers and members of the purchasing or general services departments". The training is provided by specialists in non-production purchasing, who also act as consultants to major accounts.
Two sessions are organised with suppliers: one with airlines, hotel chains and off-line agency networks; the other with business travel management companies. These days provide concrete answers to the concerns of the trainees. What's more, in addition to the educational input, they also benefit from informal meetings during breaks and lunch, exchanging ideas and solutions with colleagues from all over France.
