AuSAE - Tighten up your travel policy

Tighten up your travel policy

01 May 2015 4:30 PM | Louise Stokes

How well do you follow company policy for business travel?

Achieving travel policy compliance is more difficult than simply changing booking guidelines. Acquiring long term savings often requires changes in buying culture and regular enforcement of company policy. If traveller compliance isn’t measured effectively, improving your company’s travel performance and bottom line becomes much more difficult.

What’s the value of compliance?

Professionally designed travel policies deliver value through consolidation, use of preferred partners and increased time efficiencies. Regular non-compliance delivers a larger overall travel bill, reduces flexibility in itineraries and increases time spent on making travel arrangements.

Companies can use a number of strategies to boost compliance such as policy consulting, traveller training and incentive based rewards for compliant behavior. Non-compliant bookings can impact your bottom line by:

Missing advance purchase savings - businesses can pay up to an average of 39 per cent more for airfares booked fewer than 21 days from their departure date.

Buying unrestricted airfares – travellers who purchase flexible fares knowing their plans are unlikely to change can increase airfare spending by up to 10 per cent.

Ignoring preferred suppliers – ignoring preferred suppliers can affect negotiated discounts and pricing that would otherwise deliver savings.

Using mandated booking channels – booking outside mandated channels reduces spending visibility and increases the time spent on reconciling accounts.

How to counteract non-compliance

Companies that experience widespread non-compliance can take measures to counteract rogue bookings and lost savings. Travellers should be educated on policy requirements, savings and time efficiencies. Ultimately, a travel policy’s effectiveness directly corresponds to how seriously it is enforced. Employees should be regularly updated on policy changes or revised guidelines. Your Corporate Traveller Manager can assist in designing a strategy for enforcement that is tailored to your corporate culture.

AuSAE Members have access to an exclusive offer with Corporate Traveller. Click here for further information [Login Required]

Strengthening Trans-Tasman Connections: AuSAE and Tourism New Zealand Business Events Renew Partnership

Association professionals across Australia and New Zealand have even more reason to explore trans-Tasman opportunities. AuSAE is proud to announce the renewal of its longstanding partnership with Tourism New Zealand Business Events, celebrating 11 years of collaboration.

For over a decade, this partnership has strengthened connections between the two countries, helping associations expand networks, share knowledge, and deliver world-class events.

Toni Brearley, CAE, Chief Executive Officer at AuSAE, said:

“Our partnership with Tourism New Zealand Business Events has opened doors for association leaders to plan unforgettable events and connect with peers across the Tasman. Together, we’ve created opportunities, shared knowledge, and elevated the experiences of our members and their delegates. This partnership reinforces our commitment to fostering strong trans-Tasman collaborations, helping associations innovate, grow, and deliver outstanding value to their members.”

Helen Bambry, Business Events Manager at Tourism New Zealand, added:

“Partnering with AuSAE means we can directly support association professionals in bringing their next international business event to New Zealand – offering assistance, funding, and support to ensure exceptional experiences for both organisers and delegates.”

Watch the Tourism New Zealand Business Events video

What this partnership means for you

For Australian associations:

Receive expert guidance and support to bring conferences or member events to New Zealand.
Access funding assistance through Tourism New Zealand Business Events.
Expand your network and build partnerships with New Zealand peers and industry leaders.
Deliver international experiences for members and delegates just across the Tasman.

For New Zealand associations:

Strengthen professional connections with Australian association leaders through AuSAE’s network.
Share expertise and collaborate on professional development, governance, and member engagement initiatives, and more.
Gain visibility within the broader association community in Australia and New Zealand.
Access opportunities to host international association events and delegates in New Zealand, boosting local engagement and knowledge exchange.

About AuSAE:

The home for association professionals, the Australasian Society of Association Executives (AuSAE) is the leading - and only not-for-profit, member-based - organisation supporting association professionals in Australia and New Zealand. For 70 years, AuSAE has been a trusted partner for those working in associations, providing professional development, support, and networking to help association leaders achieve organisational goals, advance their careers, and strengthen the wider sector.

About Tourism New Zealand Business Events:

Tourism New Zealand Business Events provides expert guidance, funding, and support to attract conferences, incentives and corporate events to New Zealand.

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For more information about AuSAE, please contact Toni Brearley, CAE:
Toni Brearley, CAE
Chief Executive Officer, AuSAE
E: toni@ausae.org.au
T: + 61 458 000 155

To apply for funding and support to host a conference in New Zealand contact Helen Bambry:
Helen Bambry
Business Events Manager, Tourism New Zealand
E: Helen.Bambry@tnz.govt.nz
T: +61 415 933 325

The Australasian Society of Association Executives

Contact us:

Email: info@ausae.org.au
Phone: 1300 764 576 (within Australia)
Phone: +61 7 3268 7955 (outside Australia)
Address: Unit 6, 26 Navigator Place, Hendra QLD 4011, Australia