If you want to know how corporate human lives, you can find out as a corporate travel coordinator. They are in charge of a corporation's travel arrangements, scheduling flights, booking hotels, securing transportation, and more.
Additional duties can include international travel paperwork and documentation. You might also have to be responsible for negotiating bulk deals with suppliers, and managing any travel emergencies that may arise.
Knowing the unique arrangement criteria of individual managers or team members is essential for a corporate travel agent. Do you dream of becoming one? Check out this blog to learn more!
Corporate Travel Coordinator: What Do They Do?
As a travel planner's primary role, this duty includes identifying and coordinating suitable modes of travel, such as flights and rental cars, and making reservations at hotels, motels, or other accommodation types.
The logistical aspect of moving groups of people from one place to another requires a great deal of preparation and coordination, and practices are, therefore, an integral part of a travel coordinator's job.
Employees of an organization will always require reimbursement for expenses such as hotel accommodations, taxi fares, meals, or other travel-related costs. It is up to the travel planner to ensure that all reimbursements are appropriately registered.
Career Requirements
For large groups, most travel coordinator positions require prior experience making accommodations. Taking on a job as a travel agent is one way to satisfy this requirement.
Employers also tend to recruit those who have undergone some advanced training, suggesting completing a community college's travel agent credential or diploma program.
Training courses are also offered by several specialist associations, such as the American Automobile Association , the International Air Transport Association, and the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA).
Study topics include general procedures for researching alternatives for travel and using computerized reservation systems. You may also gain an understanding of the operations of the accommodation and transportation industry.
Experience
Aspiring travel coordinators may begin gaining the requisite experience after completing their formal training. You will need to do this by serving as a travel or booking agent for 1-3 years.
According to the U.S. Bureau Labor Statistics, most of these professionals work with reservation providers, while in 2012, 12 percent were self-employed.
The job duties of a travel agent include working with individual clients or small groups to decide itineraries and making reservations for hotels, rental cars, cruises, or airlines.
Other tasks include preparing travel papers, the production of travel packages, and the handling of last-minute alterations, cancellations, or travel emergencies.
Career Advancement: Certification
Becoming a Certified Travel Agent (CTA) could be a choice to achieve this goal for an aspiring travel agent looking to advance his career. T
hose with more than five years of experience can become a Licensed Travel Coordinator, a more sophisticated credential that can offer career development.
Average Salary
In the United States, the national average wage for a Corporate Travel Planner is $34,283. Salary figures are based on 2,482 wages submitted by Corporate Travel Planner workers anonymously to Glassdoor.
How to Get a Job
A travel coordinator is responsible for regular travel plans for department employees. This includes travel bookings, vehicles and accommodation, costs for tracking, and monthly reporting.
You help convey all travel and lodging information promptly to teachers, administrators, and other business owners as a travel planner.
Here are some of the best job portals to get a job in this industry.
- ZipRecruiter
- Glassdoor
- Indeed
Conclusion
Professional associations such as ASTA and The Travel Institute provide prospective travel coordinators with continuing education and networking opportunities.
There are great opportunities within the travel field, and working as a travel coordinator is one of them. If you are passionate and dedicated to travel, you will succeed in the travel job of your choice.
