Small Business Travel Update

Business Travel News magazine's 22nd annual Corporate Travel World conference was held recently in New York. Many topics were covered, including small business travel.

"With airfares and hotels the way they are today, we need to find another way to save money," said one buyer during the hotel benchmarking session for small companies.

That way, it seems, is putting online booking tools in place, as many buyers are finding it cheaper to have employees book travel arrangements themselves. Even so, the breadth of options available through online booking tools confuses some buyers of small companies, while others remained skeptical of such tools, believing an agency is more effective in managing travel spend because its familiarity with company policy eliminates the need to double check reservations.

Smaller companies are beginning to fully utilize the small business programs provided by airlines. One buyer admitted it took some time to fully understand the program, but once she managed it, she saw a definite impact on her bottom line.

Buyers from small companies also expressed frustration in their inability to negotiate chainwide hotel rates this year, blaming the difficulties on transient business and a tougher market. To cope, many buyers said they are turning to negotiations with specific properties.