Crazy as it may seem right now, 2022 could finally herald a return to normality. Even Aucklanders, who have endured one of the longest lockdowns in the world, finally have a whiff of freedom.
This year, we've seen the NZ government make the decision to slowly re-open our borders and we are ready to help Kiwi businesses reconnect with the world.
Now that 2021 is in our rear view mirror, it’s time to take stock. Because despite a brutal year, Flight Centre’s corporate brands in New Zealand – FCM, Corporate Traveller and Stage & Screen – managed to achieve the extraordinary, including processing 13,685 refunds; securing over 5,000 customer air credits; fielding 52,753 calls (6,416 of those were after hours), and tracking 53,347 Kiwi travellers.
Impressive numbers in anyone’s book.
And despite the immense financial pressure on the majority of New Zealand’s businesses (multi-nationals, large enterprises and SMEs), we managed to retain 99% of our customer base. It’s a real testament to the value of a travel management company (TMC).
As Kiwis moved between Alert Levels; said hello (and goodbye) to the Trans-Tasman travel bubble; and grappled with the ins and outs of the COVID-19 Protection Framework, Corporate Traveller was on hand to help with round-the-clock service, traveller tracking, real time data and expertise. Many times our Travel and Account Managers worked into the night or jumped online over the weekend to help customers who got caught overseas or domestically, when borders closed, or conditions changed unexpectedly. During this time customer service was a priority and our team regularly went above and beyond to make sure their customers had the assistance they needed.
And although the last two years will go down in history as the most challenging years for business travel, the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) expects global business travel spending to surge in 2022, with spend ultimately reaching 2019 levels by 2024 – a full year earlier than previously predicted. In other words, things are looking up for business travel.
But are companies – and their travellers – confident and ready to hit the road? With a trusted TMC at your side you’ll be able to navigate these still uncertain times (and respond to any traffic lights!) with ease.
We’ll eliminate all travel headaches by:
- Securing the best routes, rates and fares every time
- Managing any and all changes on your behalf
- Keeping track of vouchers and credits
- Holding seats to lock in prices, while your team firms up their plans
- Sharing the very latest international travel information
- Supporting your travellers with mobile alerts and after-hours support
- Giving you access to the latest tech for up-to-the-minute reporting and expense management
Sound good? Even better, TMCs can use their buying power to negotiate the best deals and travel perks around. Think early check-in, late check-out and free upgrades.
If 2021 taught us anything, it’s that information, expertise and support (with a personal touch) are still the most important currency around. And so while 2022 will be the year of reconnection and recovery, it’s definitely the year of the TMC.
Make the switch to Corporate Traveller
Request a demo today to:
✓ Explore our online booking and expensing platform
✓ See how your current process can be improved
✓ Find out how you can save money and time
✓ See how easy reporting and expensing becomes