Driven by business globalization, and increasing number of jobs, employee travel is being required more and more, which means greater opportunities for corporate travel managers.

Traveling jobs exist in many industries and sectors, including energy, pharmaceutical, government, and information technology. Some of the best jobs for traveling will be found among companies in these and industries. Many of the larger organizations in these sectors have separate corporate travel departments.

Corporate travel managers are employed to actively supervise a firm’s travel procedures and activities. Many of these duties include properly arranging business travel for company employees.

Small companies may employ only one person to oversee their company’s travel budget, establish the travel policies, and to serve as a liaison with any of the independently contracted travel agencies that handle the arrangements for the business.

Larger companies will often have entire travel departments that perform many of the same functions as the independent, commercial travel agencies. In some instances, commercial travel agencies have even set up branch offices within large companies just to handle those firms’ employee travel needs and agendas.

Employment as a corporate travel manager generally requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, as well as some travel agency or tourism industry experience. There are a number of successful travel managers who have degrees in business or a related field.

These managers have also taken courses that provide them with valuable knowledge about travel and tourism methods and requirements. There is usually a great deal of continuing education that is involved within the travel department of any business. People need to keep updated on changes concerning visas, passports, and special requirements of overseas travel.

The Institute of Certified Travel Agents administers a program of education and training that leads to certification for individuals as travel counselors. In addition, the American Society of Travel Agents offers at-home study courses for both beginners and experienced agents.

Courses typically cover finding ways to arrange the accommodations for business travelers as well as the air and ground transport needs. Travel managers will have to have a great deal of experience and proficiency with computers and certain software programs utilized within the traveling jobs industry.

Individuals who are hired as travel department managers have many of the same responsibilities as commercially employed travel agents. In larger organizations, most of these managers will handle assignments that are supervisory in nature. In some of the smaller organizations, their duties will actually involve making reservations, and selecting transportation and hotels for company employees.

These reservations may be made months ahead of time or they may require last minute work. Strict confirmations must be detailed and recorded and it is ultimately the travel manager’s responsibility to keep track or any computer printouts or tickets. Any travel arrangements must be done while adhering to all of the company guidelines and must fit within the allotted travel budget.

In firms that involve overseas travel by employees, travel managers will often be called upon to advise prospective travelers about passport and visa requirements, currency exchange rates, and related matters. Other responsibilities may include employee relocation arrangements, and convention and meeting planning. In large organizations that have corporate aircraft, travel managers may also be given duties in relation to overseeing the way this fleet is used by employees.

Working conditions for travel managers are generally good in both large and small company environments. Corporate travel professionals all work in modern, well-lighted offices, and while the work may be hectic at times, it is usually very enjoyable. For people who have had a great deal of personal experience of their own, this job seems to fit them like a glove.

Usually most workers in this type of career spend a lot of time on the telephone making arrangements for travel, or at computer terminals searching for travel bargains or arranging reservations. It is important that travel departments have a way for all employees and managers to keep abreast of travel industry news and other information important that is related to travel planning.

Travel department employees and managers will need to show discretion and reliability in completing any travel requests within the company. Following and understanding the company travel guidelines is mandatory. They also must be able to work effectively with other departments within the company organization. Corporate travel departments often work closely with both the procurement and purchasing departments.

An average annual income for these jobs is about $72,000 a year. This annual salary can vary greatly, depending on the type of firm that the person is working for. The outlook for this career and other jobs of this nature is anticipated to increase over the next 10 years. There will be more companies that incorporate travel departments into their structure. This allows them to streamline much of the work that was formerly handed to outside booking and reservation agents.

Competition for travel manager positions will be robust, though, because there is usually just one manager per department. Professionals in corporate travel often begin as travel agents and advance themselves at work with diligent and effective service. This allows the company to reward them by promotion to a higher position in the travel department.

Job seekers with appropriate experience, training, and credentials for employment in corporate travel should contact prospective employers about openings. Trade publications, professional travel associations, Internet job sites like TravelingCrossing is an online jobsite that provides information on travel manager positions and even lists many other openings like traveling IT jobs and traveling sales positions. This site is a good source for gathering leads concerning nationwide traveling opportunities.

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