5 Ways Small Businesses can Cut Down on their Travel Expense

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If you’re looking to reduce expenses for your small business, finding the most cost-effective ways to travel is a great way to save money. With a little help, proper planning and knowing where to cut back, your small business could save thousands of dollars and significantly cut travel costs.Ways Small Businesses can cut travel expenses

1. Look for Corporate Discounts

Most major airlines, hotels, and car rental agencies offer corporate discount programs that can help save a significant amount on travel costs. Whether you are planning a trip in advance, need flexibility with travel dates, or want to book a flight or hotel on short notice, ask your travel agent if they can get you an even bigger corporate discount and help to avoid costly change fees.

2. Sign Up for Rewards Programs

Using frequent flyer miles programs and rewards offered by airlines, hotels and credit cards is also an effective way to cut costs. If you travel frequently, these points can add up quickly and save your company thousands of dollars each year. Consult with your corporate travel agent on the various rewards programs available to book flights and hotels. They would ensure that you get the best rates and use the least amount of rewards possible to maximize savings.

3. Plan for the Unexpected

In today’s fast-paced world, small businesses often incur the biggest travel expenses from unexpected events such as weather delays, emergencies and last-minute bookings. When you choose a corporate travel agency that offers live assistance from travel agents 24/7, they can help you deal with any situation that may arise.

4. Save Time and Money by Using a Corporate Travel Agency

The hours that employees spend researching and planning travel could be spent working. Complicated itineraries or group travel can take days of planning, and corporate travel agents have access to resources that can cut business travel planning time to minutes instead of days or hours.

Business-oriented travel agencies have access to state-of-the-art technology and global travel networks that can significantly expand your cost-saving options and save your company up to 40 percent off regular corporate rates. Agents can assist you with:

  • Airfare and rail tickets
  • Hotels
  • Car rental
  • Airport parking and ground transportation
  • Group travel arrangements
  • Team-building activities
  • Meeting and event management and registration
  • Changes in flight arrangements or baggage problems
  • Help with passports, visas and travel warnings
  • Advise you on the most affordable days and times to travel

5. Enforce your Travel Policy

Having a system in place that tracks employee compliance can deter business travelers from violating your company’s travel policies. A travel management plan will guide you in setting appropriate travel policies. Periodic review and adjustment of these policies can make all the difference when it comes to cost-effective, efficient business travel.

Skilled agents who know the ins and outs of corporate travel services are an invaluable tool that can save money and alleviate stress. Less anxiety can lead to happier employees, better productivity, and significant cost savings. Enlisting the help of experienced corporate travel agents can help your small business maximize its travel budget and keep things running smoothly no matter what your business travel needs may be.

Are You a Frequent Flyer? Here’s How to Avoid Airplane Health Risks

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How to Avoid Airplane health Risks by GTI travel

Airplane travel can be a time to get work done, take a nap, or catch up on your favorite Netflix series. Unfortunately, if you are a frequent flyer, you can also be catching a cold from your fellow passengers or sapping your energy by succumbing to unhealthy eating and sitting on long, cramped airplanes.

Here are some ways to avoid airplane health risks:

Bring an Empty Water Bottle

You might be tempted to leave your water at home knowing that you can’t take it through security, but you can take an empty water bottle and fill it up before boarding the plane. Taking your own water helps you make sure you are hydrated throughout your trip which is the best way to keep your nasal membranes moist in the dry pressurized cabin air, making it easier for your body to flush out germs. Companies can provide their business travelers with a water bottle with the company logo to encourage drinking water while traveling.

Flush Carefully

Germs in the restroom are a given, but you can avoid contact with the many microorganisms in the airport and plane restrooms by using a paper towel while touching surfaces of the toilet and door.

Pack Healthy Snacks

A pack of peanuts or pretzels is not the best nutrition for a flight. Bringing or purchase foods that will make you feel good, like:

  • Salad
  • Granola or protein bars
  • Fruit
  • Yogurt
  • Hummus and vegetables

Not sure where you can get healthy foods to eat while traveling? A travel agent can help business travelers know what is available and where to find it.

Take a Deep Breath

Low humidity, high pressure, and less available oxygen make airplane travel put a load on your respiratory system. Here are some travel consultant tips:

  • Take long, deep, easy breaths to get more oxygen into your bloodstream.
  • Bring saline to hydrate your sinuses and flush out germs.
  • Take off contacts, especially if you are sleeping.
  • Use eye drops to flush out bacteria and keep eyes moist.

Move Around

Whenever you are allowed to get out of your seat, make sure you take the opportunity to stand, walk down the aisle and move. That can prevent the possibility of developing deep vein thrombosis leg clots. When you are in your seat, be sure to move your legs and ankles frequently and to drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated and your blood moving.

Vitamins and Medications

Don’t forget to also pack your vitamins for the flight. Keeping your energy up with good foods will help your body fight off infections and make you feel better. Forget something at home? Your business travelers will have someone they can call for help if you have the 24/7 personal services of GTI travel consultants.

Use Travel Consultants for Booking Travel

The truth? Less time in the air is your healthiest bet. Using a travel management company can help you make sure business travelers have the most efficient travel possible to and from their destination.