Travel Counsellors for Businessโ Director of Corporate, Mel Quinn, discusses the latest insights from the companyโs SME Travel Survey โ an annual barometer of SME business travellers and bookers โ and how EAs and PAs can deliver smarter, more sustainable trips that support business goals and traveller wellbeing in equal measure.
Travel is central to the EA/PA role, what makes Travel Counsellors a particularly valuable partner?
At Travel Counsellors for Business, we know that every assistant is managing far more than just logistics โ youโre the problem-solvers, protectors of time, and often the first to step in when plans change. Thatโs why our model is built around personal relationships and 24/7 support, backed by award-winning technology.
Our latest SME Travel Survey โ a barometer of SME business travellers and bookers โ found that 70% of companies now use a travel management company, citing time savings (33%) and 24/7 assistance (31%) as key benefits. We take that a step further with a dedicated Corporate Travel Counsellor who takes the time to know your business inside out, plus access to our digital platform for real-time updates, traveller tracking and instant messaging. Itโs about combining human care with smart tools so assistants can focus on the people, not the process.
With sustainability shaping travel choices, how are you helping companies reduce their footprint while still meeting business needs?
Sustainability is fast becoming a key consideration in almost every travel conversation we have. Our survey showed that one in three SMEs are actively reducing their impact, with the most common steps including scheduling multiple meetings in one trip (33%), choosing direct flights (32%), and selecting hotels that prioritise sustainability (28%).
We help clients go further by integrating these choices into our booking processes โ offering visibility of lower-impact routes, rail alternatives for short-haul, and partnering with suppliers who are transparent about their practices. Weโre also helping businesses track and report on their carbon footprint through our evolving tech platform, giving them the insight they need to make responsible decisions that still deliver commercially. Sustainability shouldnโt feel like a sacrifice โ it should feel like smart, responsible travel.
‘Bleisure’ travel is on the rise, how do you support assistants in creating itineraries that balance business goals with leisure experiences?
The line between business and leisure is blurring. This yearโs survey found that 76% of business travellers now extend trips for personal time, and 58% would consider bringing a partner or family along. For EAs and PAs, that adds another layer of coordination, and thatโs where we step in.
Because our 2000-plus strong Travel Counsellor community are experts in both corporate and leisure travel, they can build seamless, compliant itineraries that respect policy while allowing travellers to make the most of their time away. That could mean extending a conference trip by two nights, finding hotels with flexible check-in, or arranging meaningful local experiences through trusted suppliers. Itโs about making travel feel rewarding, not routine, and thinking about how these activities can further support traveller wellbeing, too.
What common travel planning challenges do you see PAs facing, and how can they overcome them with your services?
From our conversations with clients โ and reinforced by the survey โ the biggest frustrations are high costs (44%), hidden fees (35%), and lack of flexibility (35%). We address these by offering complete visibility on spend, access to exclusive fares, and human flexibility when plans change.
Many assistants also struggle with clunky systems that donโt integrate with internal approval or expense processes โ in fact, a quarter of SMEs cited poor system integration as a top frustration. Our technology streamlines that by linking booking, approval, and reporting in one place, so EAs and finance teams always know where travellers are, whatโs being spent, and whatโs coming next.
How do you anticipate the corporate travel landscape evolving in the next 5 years?
Weโre seeing a clear shift from โmore travelโ to โsmarter travel.โ The survey tells us that 62% of businesses plan to increase their travel spend this year, but the motivation is changing, itโs about relationship-building (49%), collaboration (44%), and client satisfaction (39%), not just transactions.
In the next five years, I expect technology and AI to make travel management even more proactive and predictive, while wellbeing and sustainability stay front and centre. Assistants and travel managers will have richer data at their fingertips, but the value of personal advice โ a trusted expert who can make judgement calls in complex situations โ will only increase.
What one piece of advice would you give to assistants booking travel today to make their executives’ lives easier?
Focus on the whyย as much as the how. Every trip should have a clear purpose – whether thatโs deepening client relationships or opening new markets – and your travel partner should make achieving that purpose as smooth as possible.
My advice would be to work with a partner who feels like an extension of your team. The best results come when we know your travellersโ preferences, priorities, and even their pain points, so we can anticipate rather than react. Thatโs what creates true value and builds loyalty, both for your executives and for your business.
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