What advanced booking system skills do you need to improve your travel management?

1 Booking system selection

The first skill you need is to choose the right booking system for your needs. There are many options available in the market, each with its own features, benefits, and drawbacks. You need to consider factors such as the type of travel services you need, the size and complexity of your travel program, the budget and preferences of your travelers, the integration and compatibility with other systems, and the customer support and training available. You also need to compare the costs, functionality, usability, and reliability of different booking systems, and evaluate their pros and cons. To do this, you can use online reviews, demos, trials, and feedback from other users.

2 Booking system customization

The second skill you need is to customize the booking system to suit your specific requirements. Booking systems usually have some degree of flexibility and personalization, allowing you to adjust the settings, preferences, and features according to your preferences. For example, you can set up your own travel policies, approval workflows, booking preferences, payment methods, and reporting formats. You can also create your own traveler profiles, groups, and segments, and assign them different access levels and permissions. By customizing the booking system, you can optimize its performance, functionality, and user experience.

3 Booking system optimization

The third skill you need is to optimize the booking system to maximize its benefits. Booking systems can provide you with a lot of data and information about your travel activities, such as the number of bookings, the average spend, the preferred suppliers, the compliance rate, the savings opportunities, and the traveler satisfaction. You can use this data to analyze your travel patterns, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and find areas for improvement. You can also use this data to negotiate better deals with suppliers, monitor and enforce your travel policies, measure and report your travel outcomes, and enhance your traveler engagement.

4 Booking system automation

The fourth skill you need is to automate the booking system to streamline your travel processes. Booking systems can automate many tasks and functions that would otherwise take a lot of time and effort, such as searching for the best options, sending booking confirmations, generating invoices and receipts, updating calendars and itineraries, sending reminders and alerts, and syncing with other systems. You can use the booking system's features and tools to set up rules, triggers, actions, and workflows that can automate these tasks and functions. By automating the booking system, you can reduce errors, delays, and redundancies, and increase efficiency, accuracy, and productivity.

5 Booking system integration

The fifth skill you need is to integrate the booking system with other systems and platforms that you use for your travel management. Booking systems can communicate and exchange data with other systems and platforms, such as your accounting system, your expense management system, your travel management company, your travel risk management provider, and your mobile devices. You can use the booking system's APIs, plugins, or connectors to link it with these systems and platforms, and enable data sharing, synchronization, and collaboration. By integrating the booking system, you can improve your data quality, consistency, and security, and enhance your visibility, control, and coordination.

6 Booking system learning

The sixth skill you need is to learn the booking system continuously and keep up with its updates and changes. Booking systems are constantly evolving and improving, adding new features, functions, and capabilities, as well as fixing bugs and issues. You need to stay updated and informed about these changes, and learn how to use them effectively. You also need to seek feedback and suggestions from your travelers and stakeholders, and identify their needs and expectations. You can use the booking system's resources, such as manuals, tutorials, webinars, forums, and blogs, to learn the booking system, and also ask for help and support from the booking system's providers or experts.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?