"Helping travel managers to find their way through the most sophisticated ground and air transport programmes": this is the ambition of the new study by the CWT Travel Management Institute, published on 12 July. TMC's research arm has set out to elucidate the new avenues to be explored in order to shape effective business travel management, alongside the "classic" cost-saving levers. "New opportunities for savings are constantly emerging, at the risk of losing even the most experienced travel manager in a labyrinth" is how the document sums up a worldwide survey of travel managers, specialists and travellers themselves, based on some 50 million bookings. Among the new methods mentioned in the study "Air and ground transport: a practical guide to making savings" are negotiating fuel surcharges and checking availability in each flight category. CWT estimates that fuel surcharges account for between 7 and 12 % of companies' air transport expenditure, without reflecting the real price of fuel. CWT therefore recommends "keeping a close eye on this additional cost and insisting on it when negotiating with airlines. Some customers could thus benefit from downstream discounts", the study promises. As far as availability control is concerned, CWT recommends "checking availability by carrier, itinerary, cabin and booking slot, and using this information during negotiations and throughout the duration of the contract. This will make it possible to improve availability or justify a drop in performance in relation to volume targets".
