CWT Survey Finds Ways to Slash Travel Spending

Carlson Wagonlit Travel, by taking a close look at practices and experiences among its clientele in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, learned that companies can save an average of 20 percent of their total travel spend with improved travel policies and traveler compliance.

The company’s 2007 research found that a travel policy with clear mandates can save clients as much as 8 percent of the total.

CWT said it calculated another 12 percent in savings on the compliance side by comparing average market performance with best-in-class performance in advance air booking, restricted air fares, preferred suppliers, traveler comfort, and preferred booking channels.

It also found that while most policies mandate use of the company travel agency, only 40 percent of those with an online booking capability even mention it in the company policy. Among those that mention the booking tool, only 26 percent mandate its use for point-to-point air and a miniscule 2 percent mandate it for hotel bookings.

CWT’s research project also produced a number of best practices for fostering success, including providing clear and comprehensive guidelines that mandate, rather than merely recommend, behavior in the five areas noted above and that are clear about when exceptions are OK.