9 hours Ago By Letara Draghia
Business travel is undergoing a major transformation as companies shift towards decentralised travel management. This is according to Jean-Christophe Taunay-Bucalo, President & COO of TravelPerk – travel management company based in Barcelona, Spain. In an era of hybrid work and globally distributed teams, traditional centralised corporate travel models are now proving to be outdated and inefficient.
Instead, organisations are empowering employees to manage their own travel within company policies, improving flexibility and efficiency. How would you feel about managing your own travel admin for work? Jean-Christophe shares his views with BTN Europe. Traditional business travel For years, corporate travel was managed by a single department, with travel managers handling bookings, expenses, and approvals.
This system worked well when employees were based in central offices and travel followed predictable patterns, such as client meetings and industry conferences. Most Read on Euro Weekly News Gen Z employees seek “bleisure” Spanish companies forced to 'allow' employees to go offline However, since remote work has become the norm, thanks to Covid, companies now have employees spread across multiple locations and time zones. Coordinating travel for large-scale meetings or team gatherings has become increasingly complex, and relying on a centralised team to handle all travel arrangements is no longer practical.
Decentralised corporate travel management Decentralisation in business travel is about shifting responsibility from a single travel manager to employees themselves. By leveraging modern travel management tools, employees gain the autonomy to book travel that suits their needs while aligning with company policies. Jean-Christophe’s key benefits of decentralised corporate travel: Greater flexibility: Employees can choose flights, hotels, and transport options that best fit their schedules.
Reduced administrative burden: HR and finance teams no longer have to approve every booking manually. Improved cost control: Companies gain real-time visibility into travel expenses without micromanaging employee decisions. Stronger company culture: When employees are trusted to make their own travel arrangements, it fosters a culture of ownership and accountability.
TravelPerk research in 2023 suggests that businesses that increase travel budgets to encourage in-person collaboration see lower employee turnover rates – up to 29 per cent lower than those that cut back on business travel. While decentralisation brings benefits, companies still need to maintain control over costs, safety, and compliance. The key is to introduce structured policies and the right digital tools that enable employees to make informed travel decisions.
How to implement a decentralised business travel model Surprisingly, only 41 per cent of companies currently use an online travel management system. Many still rely on outdated methods like direct bookings or travel agencies, leading to inefficiencies and excessive admin work. Employees should be given guidelines on budgets, preferred retailers, and approval processes to avoid overspending or compliance risks.
Real-time travel dashboards help finance teams monitor expenses without requiring employees to submit every receipt manually. Employers must remain responsible for employee safety while travelling . Modern platforms offer emergency tracking and support, ensuring employees’ well-being.
The future of business travel As hybrid and remote work continues to be at the forefront of employment, decentralised travel management will become an essential strategy for companies looking to balance flexibility with operational control. View all travel news..
