Last Updated on: Desember 11, 2024 at 6:37 am

Many professionals today juggle overlapping roles—an approach that might seem strategic and efficient at first glance. However, not all roles blend as seamlessly as one might hope. Some, like travel management, require specialised focus and expertise. Yet, a dangerous misconception persists: business travel management is “easy to do.” However, the reality is far from it.

In fact, 40% of companies have reported plans to increase their business travel by 2025, dan 73% of companies increasing travel budgets, adding even more pressure to employees handling this complex responsibility. Burnout is becoming a serious issue with the growing demands of business travel.

In this article, we’ll delve into the ongoing challenges of travel management and explore actionable solutions to address burnout.

The multitasking travel management burnout 

Although business travel is important, with a majority (81%) report that business travel is worthwhile in achieving their objectives. Despite increasing travel budgets, many companies are not investing in dedicated travel management teams.

Our data reveals that only 11% of companies have dedicated travel managers. Most companies still rely on overlapping roles—assigning travel management responsibilities to office managers, finance teams, HR professionals, or even travellers.

Balancing multiple responsibilities may be a reality for many professionals today but travel management often demands specialized focus, which can overwhelm those already stretched thin. This practice often results in inefficiencies, stress, and ultimately, burnout, as these individuals struggle to balance travel management with their primary duties.

What would help multitasking travel managers?

1. Clearly communicated travel policies

A well-communicated travel is crucial to managing expectations and ensuring smooth operations. Clear guidelines help reduce confusion, minimize errors, and foster a better travel experience for everyone involved. Automated travel policies into a booking platform is a busy multitasking travel manager’s bestfriend, it’s a big help with increasing compliance. Which we’ll get into more in the next point. 

If your company doesn’t have a travel policy yet, fret not. Creating a travel policy doesn’t have to be daunting. Tools like TruTrip’s policy builder can help you craft a policy from scratch quickly and effectively.

2. Automation

Automation can significantly reduce the manual burden of travel management. Our data indicates that 42% of companies still manage travel manually, leaving room for inefficiencies and errors.

How can automation help?

• Centralized platforms for booking approvals
• Increase travel policy compliance 
• Real-time risk alerts

These tools streamline processes and allow employees to focus on more strategic tasks. Learn more about business travel management automation here. 

3. Peer Networks

Travel management is diverse, with hidden strategies that come only from experience. Having access to a network of peers who share similar responsibilities and have honed expertise from their unique experience, and developed best practices can be invaluable. 

These connections allow travel managers—or those managing travel in addition to other roles—to exchange tips, learn best practices, and find support.

4. Keeping an open door

Foster a culture within your organization that allows for open communication, and support. Overlapping roles may be temporary and an inevitable part of growing companies, we can all help out by providing support through lending an ear and helping multitasking travel managers with complex decision-making. 

Although building a dedicated travel team may not be a strategic decision for everyone, there are other ways to support multitasking managers that can go a long way, that is cost-effective and beneficial in the long run. 

Join a community of multitasking travel managers!

Burnout in travel management is a serious issue, but the right tools and a supportive network can transform the way you handle these challenges. Connect with like-minded professionals who share similar responsibilities, exchange tips and best practices, and access valuable resources to streamline your travel management tasks.

Become part of the Multitasking Travel Managers community today—a space where unique challenges are shared, solutions are explored, and support is always within reach.