business centre travel agents

Effortless corporate travel management is here.

Boost business travel with trusted expert (and tech) solutions that save you time, money, and enhance the traveler experience. 

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What you need for your business travel program

Business travel, simplified

Dedicated, personalized service

All-in-one travel platform

More choice and superior value

Trusted by thousands of companies worldwide.

Business travel solutions that make everyone happy

Your next business trip just got easier

Your travel. Your way. Book, change, and track your travels on your phone or let your dedicated consultant handle it for you.

• Book your whole trip from any device
• 24/7 support & live chat from any time zone
• Real-time travel alerts anywhere you go

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Make your life simpler with streamlined solutions

Our intuitive platform was designed with bookers in mind. Enjoy simpler bookings and traveler tracking at your fingertips.

• Save time and book in minutes from anywhere
• Travel preferences locked and loaded
• Stop the chase and automate the approvals process

Get the data you need to make the big calls

Melon helps you drive in-policy bookings and make informed calls to improve your bottom line. Make decision-making easy.

• Track your travel spend with real-time data
• Level up to full travel policy compliance
• Flexible reporting just a few clicks away

Meet Melon.

A travel management platform that makes business travel a breeze..

Melon is everything you need to manage all the pieces of your business travel program, quickly, and easier than ever.

• Ultra-intuitive design
• 5-minute bookings
• On-point reporting for smarter decisions
• Access the best rates 
• Live-chat with a travel consultant

Melon is the ultimate travel management solution that covers all your bases from booking, safety, reporting, policy, and expense.

Ready to see it in action?

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Corporate Traveler provides a level of service that’s both thorough and anticipatory. We’re an incredibly fast-moving business and to have a partner as nimble as us managing our travel needs is invaluable.

Caroline Roche, Chief of Staff @ Bumble

I have looked literally for years for the right fit for us, and I am so relieved to have found all of you. It's just what we need and just what our members will be really excited about.  Everyone has been so fabulous to work with...I can't say enough how happy I am.

Michelle Van Kempen, General Manager @ NPACT

Our booking fees have fallen and we’re now capturing more travel spend and have greater overall visibility, allowing us to really pinpoint where there are further savings to be made.

Vicki Mann, Executive Assistant @ New Era

Boost your business travel savings and see the ROI

Ready to see more value from your business travel? Looking for more choice and bigger savings? Want better rates at your preferred hotels? We can help!

• Unlock exclusive corporate rates to keep your costs down 
• Visualize your unused flight credits and stop wasting money
• Keep track of your travelers and maximize travel policy compliance
• Streamline your processes and save time, money, and stress!

Ready to see how much you can save on business travel? 

Try our Savings Calculator

What can Corporate Traveler do for you?

It's time for better business travel management

With the perfect balance of modern travel technology and dedicated experts, you really can have the best of both worlds.

• Dedicated travel consultant
• Intuitive all-in-one travel platform
• Search, book, and report in minutes
• 24/7 emergency support & live-chat
• Traveler tracking & duty of care dashboard
• Melon Exclusive Deals, negotiated rates, and more! 

Business travel made personal

Christopherson offers dynamic technology and exceptional customer service to connect your business to where it needs to go.

Get to the future—faster

Your trusted partner

We’d be honored to serve you among our 1,000+ organizations, providing you and your teams with our signature, tailored experience to help your business reach its goals.

An elite travel platform

We have a lot packed

Learn about our other services and how we can help your business take off.

Get more out of your travel budget and boost cost savings through our knowledgeable travel expertise.

Experience the luxury of smart travel technology with the trust of an experienced partner.

Our integrated booking, gives your travelers policy-compliant choices, all the while saving time and money.

Program management

Our travel program management services give you the tools and support to move upward and forward.

Know before you go

Connect with our team of experienced travel experts to learn how Christopherson can help your business travel with ease.

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Business Travel, 24/7 Global Business Travel Support

With you every step of the way

Whenever and wherever you need us.

Exceptional 24/7/365 support

Deliver the support your business travelers need, wherever they are in the world.

From the moment a reservation is made until their return home, we provide business travelers with 24/7/365 support. They’ll get one-click/one-call support when they need it from our team of business travel consultants who know exactly what your travelers need and how to get it for them quickly, smoothly and in policy.

We're here for you

Knowledgeable, local business travel consultants are your travelers’ link to smooth corporate travel.

We have more than 2,500 travel consultants dedicated exclusively to business travel. With an average of 15 years of industry experience, they understand the unique needs of business travelers from the inside out. These local teams of business travel experts speak more than 32 languages in over 66 countries.

• On hand, whenever and wherever you need us, with our 24/7/365 customer service available to travelers and arrangers online, in the app, by phone or Egencia Chat..
• Complete profile connection through our unified platform allows our travel consultants to see travelers’ itineraries and their business’ travel policies, so they can easily make changes that make the most sense.
• Dedicated to corporate travel. Our travel consultants only work on business travel and understand the unique needs and demands of executive schedules.

Empowered employees are happy travellers

70% of travelers say they enjoy business travel. Find out how you can increase compliance, traveler satisfaction and more.

Single platform support

A universal, intuitive platform for every user that makes booking and travel easier for everyone.

We are the only major travel management company (TMC) with the same traveler experience across every touchpoint: Online, in the app, or by phone.

• One unified view for all bookings (air, hotel, car, and rail). No more juggling different travel agencies or travel portals.
• Everyone is on the same page — travelers, arrangers, and agents all use the same platform — so nothing important gets missed.
• We see you.  Our agents see exactly what your travelers see, so they can make sure your travelers have everything they need.

The global travel platform is transforming business travel

Our platform connects every touch point in the travel process, giving travelers a personalized experience and travel managers the data and compliance they’re looking for.

Give your travelers choice

At Egencia we bring you access to superior supplier content , giving your travelers choice and flexibility - online or with our expert corporate travel agents.

• Expert travel consultants see to it that your travelers are booked with the special amenities and business services they deserve .
• 500,000+ hotels and over 375 airlines give your travelers more relevant options and greater satisfaction.
• An intuitive booking experience means your travelers will always be able to easily make or amend their arrangements.

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Ready to take your travel program to the next level? Contact us to learn more.

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The 6 best B2B travel agencies in 2024

What is a b2b travel agency.

• travel agencies that help manage business travel for corporate clients, or
• B2B travel services that help travel companies manage white-label bookings and inventory on their own booking platform.

The best B2B travel agencies for companies

1. travelperk.

• One of the largest corporate travel inventories available . Plus, competitive pricing lets your team get great prices on every booking.
• Pay only when you travel —no hidden fees or installment fees.
• Real-time reporting and consolidated invoicing for easy expense reports.
• FlexiPerk solution gives you freedom to change or cancel bookings as needed, without losing your money.
• The most comprehensive VAT recovery solution , letting you save up to 20% of your total travel spend (not to mention hours of admin time).
• 24/7 customer service , with the majority of calls answered within 15 seconds.
• G2 rating : 4.5 / 5, based on 1,533 reviews (as of February 2024)
• Capterra rating : 4.8 / 5, based on 402 reviews (as of February 2024)

Start saving money on business travel for your company today!

2. bcd travel.

• Wide range of travel-related services , from flight bookings to visa entry requirements.
• 24/7 customer support .
• Compatible with 20+ OBT solutions to integrate with your pre-existing solutions.
• Updated and cleaned program data available to your dashboards in 90 minutes or less.
• Spend management solutions allow you to process payments and invoices according to your travel policies.
• DecisionSource helps you make smarter decisions with business insights and travel data analysis.
• G2 rating : no data available
• Capterra rating : no data available

Click below for a more detailed comparison between both platforms

3. sap concur.

• All-in-one booking platform that lets employees self-book flights, trains, hotels, and car rentals.
• Admin dashboards allow managers to see all travel arrangements and booking data in one place.
• TripLink brings in travel bookings from external platforms so you can manage all of your employee travel data.
• Integrations with Concur Expense and Concur Invoice helps manage spend and automates expense processing and cut invoicing time.
• G2 rating : 4 / 5 stars, based on 5,996 reviews (as of February 2024)
• Capterra rating : 4.3 / 5 stars, based on 2,004 reviews (as of February 2024)

4. FCM Travel

• Customizable and scalable travel management based on your team’s needs.
• FCM’s Online Booking Tool allows you to customize policies based on department or traveler to manage spend and other requirements.
• FCM Reporting, powered by Microsoft Power BI tools, offers reporting and AI-assisted data analysis .
• Dedicated account management and advising to improve your travel program and policies.
• G2 rating : 5 / 5 stars, based on 1 review, as of February 2024

The best B2B companies for travel agencies

1. b2b travel group.

• Over 120,000 hotels and apartments worldwide so you can offer an extensive selection to your clients.
• Last-minute availability makes accommodating clients—or changing travel plans—easier.
• Intuitive booking platform designed by travel agents makes your day-to-day easier and more efficient.
• Real availability and instant booking confirmations keep your clients covered on the go.

2. TBO Holidays

• Extensive product suite allows you to offer more options and the best deals for your clients.
• All-access membership gives your company access to more than 700,000 global properties, plus sightseeing tours, holiday packages and more.
• Free registration gets you up and running quickly.
• Control your own markups for custom commissions and increased profitability.
• Support for all regional currencies allows you to quote rates—and accept payments—for currencies of your choice.
• Branded hotel vouchers help you maximize recognition with your clients.

Maximize your travel budget. Save time and money on your next trip.

Make business travel simpler. Forever.

• See our platform in action . Trusted by thousands of companies worldwide, TravelPerk makes business travel simpler to manage with more flexibility, full control of spending with easy reporting, and options to offset your carbon footprint.
• Find hundreds of resources on all things business travel, from tips on traveling more sustainably, to advice on setting up a business travel policy, and managing your expenses. Our latest e-books and blog posts have you covered.
• Never miss another update. Stay in touch with us on social for the latest product releases, upcoming events, and articles fresh off the press.

10 Most impactful travel technology companies in 2024

5 best corporate travel management apps

The 8 best business travel management companies in Europe

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Business Travel Management

Deliver more for your employees and your business

Managing a business travel program can seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. When you work with CWT, one of the world’s leading travel management companies, we make it easy for you to deliver valuable employee travel services to help you get the job done right.

Keep your workforce focused

Your travelers are employees first. You need to keep them safe, engaged and productive with travel services that work for them and your organization. CWT has a wide array of business travel services available to help keep your workforce focused on your business goals.

Unique Solutions

Not all business travel is the same; some industries have truly unique requirements that demand specially-trained teams to look after their travelers.

At CWT, we understand that managing travel in industries such as energy , resources and   marine,   life sciences,  or  media and entertainment can be extremely challenging and you have to work with a TMC you trust.

We have the experience you need and our people have the skills that matter.

Explore unique solutions

Keep employees moving

Give your employees booking tools and travel services that keep them moving and productive even during inevitable disruptions. CWT can help make their travels easier with digital touchpoints and a great experience.

Hotel offering

When your employees stay overnight on a trip, you need them to get a business-quality hotel room at the best price, no matter how they book. CWT’s hotel offering, powered by RoomIt delivers all this and more.

Managing risk

CWT can help you meet your legal and ethical responsibility to care for travelers and also help reduce risk for your company. We know you need to keep both your employees and their data safe, while predicting and managing safety and security concerns like a pro.

It’s what CWT does every day for our clients

Delivering ROI

We can help your business travel management efforts deliver real ROI. Using powerful tools we can help you crunch complex data, and with supplier management expertise we can help you design and negotiate an effective travel management program.

Drive action and innovation

Take travel management to the next level with innovations and insights helping you track trends, adapt to industry changes, and take action.

Get started with CWT

Changing your travel management company doesn’t have to be hard. CWT will help you design a program that fits your employees’ needs and stand with you to drive adoption of it. We’ll also deliver key metrics and reports to help you show your organization you made the right choice.

Our unique travel solutions

Energy, resources and marine travel

Getting people to remote parts of the world can be complex. Whatever your business–oil and gas to mining; marine to renewable energies–we’re here to help handle your travel needs. Since 1980, we have delivered our clients efficient, safe and connected travel programs using the global power of CWT and our local knowledge in locations around the world.

Life sciences and pharma travel

A complex and highly-regulated industry, life sciences is one that demands a high-touch and tailored travel program for health care professionals and people traveling to participate in medical trials. CWT has been trusted with pharma, biotech and biomedical companies over the past 30 years. 

Media, entertainment and sports travel

Need to move film crews, television equipment, news teams, or sports squads? No problem! Dedicated and highly specialist teams provide confidential and secure travel services, including white-glove VIP service, 24 hours a day.

Ready for professional travel management services?

If you’re ready to talk about how we can help you and receive communications about our products and service, please fill out the contact form. You can unsubscribe from our mailing list at any time using the ‘unsubscribe’ link on our emails.

Traveler help

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Learn more about our travel management offering

Travelers: manage your travel here . The below form is for inquiries about our corporate travel management offering.

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Types of Travel Agents: A Comprehensive Guide

This blog explains who a Travel Agent is, what the different Types of Travel Agents are, and how they function in the tourism industry. It also provides some examples of each type of Travel Agent and their advantages and disadvantages for Travellers.

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Thus, understanding these different Types of Travel Agents can empower Travellers to make informed decisions. Moreover, it will ensure a more personalised and stress-free Travel experience that aligns perfectly with their unique needs and preferences. So, let’s delve in to learn more! In this blog, you will learn who a Travel Agent is, the different Types of Travel Agents and their roles and responsibilities in great detail. 

Table of Contents  

1) Who is a Travel Agent? 

2) What are the different Types of Travel Agents? 

     a) Independent Travel Agents  

     b) Online Travel Agents 

     c) Visitor information centres 

     d) High street Travel Agents 

     e) Business Travel Agents 

     f) Call centre Travel Agents 

     g) Multiple Travel Agents 

     h) Miniple Travel Agents 

3) Conclusion 

Who is a Travel Agent?  

A Travel Agent is a person or a firm that arranges Travel products and services for customers. These Agents can work as intermediaries or organisers. An intermediary Travel Agent acts for another party, such as an airline, a hotel, or a tour operator. They then plan a journey or a stay for a customer in return for a price. They also offer many services or a series of services, such as transportation, accommodation, sightseeing, and activities.  

What are the different Types of Travel Agents?  

There are many Types of Travel Agents in the tourism industry, each with its own characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages. Let’s explore their different types: 

1) Independent Travel Agents  

Independent Travel Agents are self-employed or work for a small agency that is not affiliated with any larger network or organisation. They have more flexibility and autonomy in choosing their suppliers, products, and services. They can also offer more personalised and customised services to their customers, such as the following: 

1) Tailor-made itineraries 

2) Special deals 

3) Niche products 

Independent Travel Agents can operate online or offline and can specialise in a particular destination, market segment, or type of Travel. But such specialisations require possessing Specialised Travel Agents Skills . 

However, Independent Travel Agents may also face some challenges, such as limited resources, higher costs, lower commissions, and less bargaining power with suppliers. They may also have less visibility and credibility in the market and may struggle to compete with larger and more established Travel Agents. 

2) Online Travel Agents    

Online Travel Agents are Agents who operate exclusively on the internet, using websites, mobile apps, or social media platforms to offer and sell Travel products and services. Online Travel Agents have many advantages, such as the following: 

1) Lower overheads 

2) Wider reach 

3) 24/7 availability 

4) More convenience 

5) Choice for customers 

Online Travel Agents can also use technology to enhance their services, such as online booking systems, chatbots, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Big Data. Online Travel Agents can offer a variety of products and services, such as flights, hotels, car rentals, tours, cruises, and packages. Some examples of online Travel Agents are Expedia, Booking.com, Skyscanner, and Airbnb. However, online Travel Agents also face some challenges, such as the following: 

1) High competition 

2) Low customer loyalty 

3) Security and privacy issues 

4) Lack of human interaction 

5) Personal touch 

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3) Visitor information centres  

Visitor information centres are Travel Agencies that provide information and advice to tourists at the destination. They are usually located at airports, train stations, bus terminals, city centres, or tourist attractions. 

Visitor information centres can help travellers with maps, brochures, guides, timetables, bookings, reservations, and local tips. These centres can also promote and sell local products and services, such as souvenirs, crafts, tours, events, and activities.  

Some examples of visitor information centres are Visit Britain and Tourism Australia. Visitor information centres have the advantage of being close to the customers and having firsthand knowledge of the destination. However, visitor information centres may also have limited resources, staff, and products and may depend on the seasonality and popularity of the destination. 

4) High street Travel Agents  

High street Travel Agents operate from physical shops or offices on the streets or shopping centres of towns and cities. High street Travel Agents can offer a range of products and services, such as the following: 

1) Flights 

2) Hotels 

3) Car rentals 

4) Tours 

5) Cruises 

6) Holiday packages 

They can also provide face-to-face consultation, customer service, and after-sales support. Some examples of high street Travel Agents are Thomas Cook, TUI, and Flight Centre.  

High street Travel Agents have the advantage of having a strong brand presence, a loyal customer base, and experienced staff. However, high street Travel Agents also face some challenges, such as high rent, overheads, staff costs, low margins and commissions, and competition from online Travel Agents and direct suppliers. 

5) Business Travel Agents  

Business Travel Agents specialise in arranging Travel products and services for corporate clients, such as companies, organisations, or government agencies. Business Travel Agents can offer products and services that meet the specific needs and preferences of business travellers, such as the following: 

1) Flexible fares 

2) Convenient schedules 

3) Premium seats 

4) Airport lounges 

5) Meeting rooms 

6) Corporate discounts 

Business Travel Agents can also provide account management, reporting, invoicing, and Travel policy compliance. Some examples of business Travel Agents are American Express Global Business Travel, BCD Travel, and CWT. 

These Agents have the advantage of having a stable and profitable market segment, long-term contracts, and high-value customers. However, business Travel Agents also face some challenges, such as high expectations, complex regulations, and changing Travel trends and technologies. 

6) Call centre Travel Agents  

Call centre Travel Agents are professionals who operate from a centralised office or facility that handles a large volume of phone calls from customers. Call centre Travel Agents can offer and sell travel products and services over the phone, using a computerised reservation system and a script. Call centre Travel Agents can also provide customer service, support, and assistance. 

Some examples of call centre Travel Agents are Expedia, Priceline, and Travelocity. Call centre Travel Agents have the advantage of having lower costs, wider reach, and faster response than high street Travel Agents. However, they also face some challenges, such as high staff turnover, low customer satisfaction, and communication barriers. 

Redefine customer interactions with our Call Center Training – sign up today!  

7) Multiple Travel Agents  

They can also benefit from economies of scale, bulk buying, and brand recognition. Some examples of multiple Travel Agents are TUI, Thomas Cook, and Flight Centre. These Agents have the advantage of having a dominant market position, loyal customer base, and extensive distribution network. However, multiple Travel Agents also face some challenges, such as the following: 

1) High overheads 

2) Staff costs 

3) Competition from Online Travel Agents and direct suppliers 

8) Miniple Travel Agents  

Miniple Travel Agents operate as part of a small or medium-sized chain or group that has a few branches or outlets across different locations. They can offer a variety of products and services, such as flights, hotels, car rentals, tours, cruises, and packages. They can also provide more personalised and customised services, such as the following: 

1) Niche products 

3) Local expertise 

Some examples of miniple Travel Agents are Trailfinders, STA Travel, and Hays Travel. Miniple Travel Agents have the advantage of having a flexible and adaptable business model, a loyal customer base, and competitive prices. However, they also face some challenges, such as limited resources, bargaining power, and brand awareness. 

Conclusion  

We hope you read and understand the different Types of Travel Agents. The world of Travel Agents is diverse, catering to a wide range of traveller preferences and needs. From traditional brick-and-mortar agencies to online platforms and specialised niche Agents, there's a Travel Agent for everyone. Choosing the right one can enhance your Travel experience, making your journey smoother and more enjoyable. 

Transform your passion for Travel into a thriving career with our Travel Agent Training – sign up now!  

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Welcome to Flight Centre Travel Group

Our Purpose: To open up the world for those who want to see

We're one of the world’s largest travel retailers and corporate travel managers

The Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) is headquartered in Brisbane (Australia) and has company-owned leisure and corporate travel business in 24 countries, spanning Australia, New Zealand, the Americas, Europe, the United Kingdom, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and Asia.

FCTG operates under multiple names in Australia, New Zealand, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, South Africa, India, Asia, United Arab Emirates, and Mexico, and licenses its name in a further 90 countries. In addition to the iconic Flight Centre Brand, it also operates businesses including Aunt Betty, Corporate Traveller, FCM, Stage & Screen and Travel Associates.

Career Potential

Working for FCTG is the ultimate journey to success. We offer a supportive, fun and diverse family-like atmosphere with genuine opportunities for growth and development. Our strong connections with the world make it easy to embrace new experiences, seize all opportunities and ultimately work towards finding your Brightness of Future.

Corporate Directory

The Board of Directors and Corporate Leadership team are responsible for setting and implementing the strategic direction for the company. Meet our Board of Directors and the FCTG Global Executive Leadership team known as Taskforce.

Stay up to date with our ASX announcements, annual reports, governance policies, dividends and more through our Investor Centre.

FCTG consists of more than 30 brands globally with businesses spanning leisure and corporate travel management, technology, education, events and more.

FCTG contracts thousands of suppliers across all sectors of travel including air, land, cruise and niche wholesale markets globally. If you’re interested in partnering with us, reach out to the team at [email protected]

Sustainability at FCTG

Preserving and enriching a world worth seeing. Our purpose is to open up the world for those who want to see and as one of the world’s largest travel retailers and corporate travel managers, we recognise our responsibility to preserve the places we love while enriching our people, destinations and communities.

Reconciliation

Flight Centre Travel Group is an Australian-born company dedicated to diversity and inclusion. Our Global HQ is on Yuggera Country. Our role, is to ensure we do our part to respect the sacred nature of these lands, educate our people and customers, and continue to walk alongside the Traditional Custodians of the Lands. Artwork by Tarryn Anno.

Flight Centre Foundation

The Flight Centre Foundation exists to build brighter futures for the communities where we work, live and travel. Powered entirely by the giving nature of our people we support charities whose philosophies align with ours.

Global Locations

When we say we’re global, we mean it. Whether your travel needs originate in Australia or you’re looking for retail or corporate travel services across the world, we have you covered. With representation in most major travel hubs and an extensive network covering more than 90 countries, we’re there when you need us.

Our timeline charts pivotal moments in our company’s history. Moments that have defined both us and the travel industry. We are not an overnight success story. Our success happened over many years of persistence and hard work by a lot of people. We are privileged to have had each and every one of them choose to walk through our doors.

Stay up to date with our latest news

Flight centre travel group unveils new global independent brand envoyage.

Flight Centre Travel Group's Independent division is entering an exciting new era as it prepares to introduce a prestigious principal brand, Envoyage, to the market. The brand will provide a true heart and home for independent travel agents and agencies with a polished new visual identity that reflects the Group's experienced global community, industry leading technology and comprehensive product marketplace.

FCTG Launches big move to make big waves

Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) today announced strategic plans to grow market share in the cruise sector by bringing back its cruise brand, Cruiseabout, and reestablishing a dedicated wholesale cruise division.

7 types of travel agents around the world

Disclaimer: Some posts on Tourism Teacher may contain affiliate links. If you appreciate this content, you can show your support by making a purchase through these links or by buying me a coffee . Thank you for your support!

Travel agents are an important part of the tourism industry. There are several different types of travel agents. The different types of travel agents vary according to the service they provide and the products that they offer. In this article I will teach you about the different types of travel agents and provide some examples too.

What’s a travel agent?

High street travel agents, business travel agents, call centre travel agents, internet travel agents, independent travel agents, multiple travel agents, miniple travel agents, types of travel agents: to conclude, further reading .

A travel agency is a private retailer that sells travel-related products and services to consumers. This includes package holidays as well as individual holiday elements such as hotel rooms, flight tickets and travel insurance.

Travel agents typically use global distribution systems (GDS). These systems enable to travel agent staff to receive real-time updates on availability and prices and to make bookings.

Travel agencies typically take a percentage of the overall fee that a consumer pays, known as commission. Commission rates vary depending on the product and/or service that is sold. It is for this reason that consumers will sometimes pay more for a holiday booked through a travel agency than they would if they booked it directly with the suppliers.

Did you know that you can set up your own travel agency business and earn from your sofa? Find out how here!

The different types of travel agents

There are four main types of travel agents in the travel and tourism industry: high street, business, callcentre and Internet. I will explain how each of these types of travel agents work below. BUT before you read on, hit play on my new YouTube video below!

High street travel agents have been around for a long time. Up until only a few years ago, high street travel agents were the most popular and themes common types of travel agents.

High street travel agents are typically found in major shopping areas, such as local high streets or in shopping malls.

High street travel agents typically have an area where holiday brochures are displayed and desks for consumers to sit at and talk than travel agent. Travel agent staff are generally very knowledgeable about the products and services thatchy are selling and offer high standards of customer service.

Many people continue to prefer house high street travel agents because they enjoy the face-to-face interaction.However, fewer and fewer people have been using travel agents in recent years. This has led to the closure of many high street travel agents.

High street travel agent examples: TUI, Hays Travel, Cooperative Travel

Business travel agents specialise in planning and booking travel for business purposes. Business tourism is one of the largest types of tourism . As such, this is an important type of travel agent.

Business travel agents do not always have a visible high street presence. Instead, they may be tucked away in office blocks or in quiet locations.This is because they do not tend to have walk-in business.

Business travel agents typically work with companies to organise business travel. Stays tend to be shorter than ordinary holidays. Business travel agents are popular because they help to save organisations timed money, given that they are able to quickly plan itineraries and book travel the best prices.

Business travel agent examples: Crystal Corporate, Click Travel, Kanoo Corporate

A call centre travel agent is a travel agent which is based in a call centre.

Call centre travel agents provide advice and guidance on booking your holiday via the telephone. Many major travel agencies will have call centres as wells high street shops.

Call centres have lower overheads than high street retailers because they do not have to pay premium prices for their offices- they have the flexibility to be based anywhere.

Some companies even choose to base their callcentres in developing countries, where wages and overhead costs are lower. However, this has been known to have a detrimental impact on the service offered due to language barriers and cultural differences.

Call centre travel agent examples: Flight Centre, Virgin Holidays

Internet travel agents are travel agents theatre based the Internet. This includes major travel companies as wells independent travel agents who are working from home.

Internet travel agents are the most popular types of travel agents nowadays. Many people prefer to book online.

Just like high street travel agents, Internet travel agents take a commission from the money paid by the consumer.

The rise of the Internet travel agent has been so significant in recent years that there is now a lot of competition in the marketplace. This helps to drive down prices and to make holidays more affordable to customers.

Internet travel agent examples: Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda

Types of travel agent businesses

The types of travel agents can also be distinguished by their business model. There are three major business models that are used: independent, multiple, miniple. I will explain what each of these are below.

An independent travel agent is an agent is a unique company. There is only one branch and it is not associated with any other travel agency stores or companies.

Independent travel agents are commonly found in small towns and villages. They are usually locally-run businesses. Because of scales of economy, independent travel agents are often not able to compete with the lower prices offered by larger types of travel agents.

Independent travel agents do not necessarily need to have physical travel agency. There are many people who are running their own, successful travel agency businesses from home. These are Internet travel agents who are operating on an independent basis.

Since COVID-19, many organisations have reduced their business travel requirements, opting instead for Zoom calls and webinars facilitated by the shut-in economy . It is predicted that this change will be irreversible and therefore that the need for business travel agents will be permanently reduced.

A multiple travel agent is one which has a chain of branches. They are typically large organisations with a strong high street presence.

Multiple travel agents did have a monopoly of the market for many years. However, they have struggled to compete with the Internet travel agents, who have fewer overheads and are more conveniently located- on a consumer’s computer/smart device!

Miniple travel agents are travel agents that have several branches. These are usually mid-sized companies. They are often regional.

As you can see, the travel agency market has changed a lot in recent years. We have moved away from the traditional multiple on the high street towards an Internet-based approach when researching and booking our holidays. Nonetheless, there does continue to be a desire for travel agents, albeit largely online.

If you’re studying travel and tourism then I highly recommend the following texts to support your learning:

• The 10 Major Types of Events
• The 8 Major Types of Cruise
• 150 types of tourism! The ultimate tourism glossary
• 20 Popular Types of Hotels Around The World
• 21 Types of Tourists Around The World

Discover the alternative in business travel

Welcome to the place where clients are truly partners. As an extension of your team, FCM Travel is the travel management company that brings agility to your corporate travel programme, driving value and creates simplicity.

With a unique approach to building technology, and talented teams that go above and beyond, together we can do more than tick boxes and book tickets.

How we add value to business travel programmes

Consistent experience

Data that influences

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A collaborative partner

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Technology built around your woes

Craving a smoother way to book and manage business trips, with quick access to support, 24/7? Yearning to easily search and pull reports for travel insights, and view safety & risk alerts in one place?  

Our customers felt the same way. That’s why we built the FCM Platform, a business travel platform that’s designed to transform travel programmes.  

With the FCM Platform, you get: 

• Global consistency  
• Personalised user experience 
• Alternative approach to innovation 
• Actionable insights  

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Corporate travel services that work for all

Travel Managers

Travel Bookers

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Company travel strategy that keeps everyone….

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From The Th!nk Series to FCM Consulting’s Quarterly Trends Reports, to practical travel advice and insights to elevate programmes. Explore the Travel Hub .

How FCM partnered with a client to create a first-of-its-kind expense reporting tool

5 steps for finding the right meetings and events company

The power of corporate travel benchmarking

Not only did FCM provide comprehensive, customised materials and sessions, they consistently took the time to listen and understand our culture, and then flexed to align with our needs.

That's what the travel manager of a well-known Fortune 100 insurance company said about implementing FCM Travel, after 10 years with their incumbent TMC. Discover how agility and partnership-focused goals were a perfect match for this global business travel programme.

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Discover the awards and accreditations we’ve collected as a travel management company over our 20-year history.

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Ready to discover a new travel management company? Let’s talk.

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Flight Centre Business Travel: Your SME Corporate Travel Partner

Welcome to Flight Centre Business Travel , your local corporate travel specialist for the Australian SME market. Here at Flight Centre Business Travel (FCBT) , we know first-hand the pressures placed on small to medium enterprises (SME’s) every day. With a growing business to run and corporate travel often ranking within the top 3 costs of a company’s profit and loss statement, we’re passionate about helping your SME save time and money.  

Our dedicated Travel Managers are true travel experts - experienced, knowledgeable and a one-stop-shop for all your business travel needs.  

Is it time you said goodbye to D.I.Y. and hello to effortless corporate travel management?   

Get in touch

What makes us different? Our People.

Our Travel Managers, like Sarah pictured, are the heart and soul of Flight Centre Business Travel.  When you partner with FCBT, you’ll get direct and easy access to the same person (who sits within a small team) that gets your business, and its travel needs, inside and out.

Our dedicated Travel Managers  work as an extension of your team ( think your own personal travel PA ), solving all your business travel needs, locally. They make our people-led, hyper-personal approach to every stage of your travel program all possible and so valuable to your business.  

The role of our Travel Managers

Did you know, when it comes to booking business travel, many believe it’s all about finding and booking the lowest fare or hotel?

But, what if we told you there are actually six stages of business travel , with each stage as important as the next? When you partner with Flight Centre Business Travel , you can trust your Travel Manager, like Arash pictured, to add value to your total travel program at each stage:

1. Research >

Bouncing between sites and dozens of open tabs is time consuming. Save time and money with our experts in your corner.

2. Booking >

Save $’s with our experts, who can consolidate your booking process, hold flights, access exclusive SME fares + more.

3. Trip Management >

From unexpected changes to missed connections - office hours or after hours, our experts are available 24/7/365.

4. Traveller Experience >

Our experts prioritise traveller preferences & keep things simple and stress-free. Leading to more productive, successful trips.

5. Post Trip Finance and Reporting >

No-one enjoys post-trip admin. Our experts can reduce the time you spend reconciling and reporting on your travel by 50%.

6. Big Picture Thinking >

Our experts deliver real value beyond the booking process; taking a strategic approach to your travel program.

Your Corporate Travel, Made Easy

Flights, hotels, cars and everything in between all organised by your dedicated Travel Manager for a seamless experience. Backed by the strength of our global parent company, Flight Centre Travel Group, you can be confident your business is getting access to the best value, hottest industry deals, exclusive SME rates and benefits.

The broadest range of corporate airfare deals and SME air loyalty programs to give you the best choice, flexibility and price for your business needs.

Access the most competitive rates, reputable suppliers and score bonus inclusions with our exclusive SME HotelsPlus offering. 

Drive away with better value on your car rental thanks to discounted services, bonus offers, and value adds through our exclusive DrivePlus program. 

Sustainable Travel

Keen to balance the impact of your business travel and make it more planet and people positive? It’s never been easier with our simple and affordable Trees4Travel add on. 

Travel Insurance

Give yourself added peace of mind knowing that in the case of unexpected changes or problems, you’ll be covered with travel insurance.

Group Travel

Whether you have 20 guests to 500, we have the knowledge and expertise to get your people where they need to be and help make it a success.

Employee Benefits

Our Flight Centre Corporate Benefits program is your ticket to accessing discounts and benefits on your next holiday, that you can't find anywhere else.

Access our exclusive corporate travel grant, money can't buy workshop, events, deals and more.

Knowledge Hub

Stay up to date with the latest corporate travel news, industry updates and informative whitepapers, plus access our Ready To Travel interactive map.

Why Flight Centre Business Travel?

Choosing Flight Centre Business Travel is the easiest business decision you’ll make all year. We've made it our business to know the travel needs of yours.

Learn more about us

A Dedicated Travel Manager

We're on your side. With a personal Travel Manager, you'll get the best advice to suit your needs

Deliverable Savings

Helping you make smart travel decisions for your business, saving you time and money

24/7 Worldwide Customer Care

Whenever and wherever you are, we're here for your business 24/7

No Lock-in Contracts

Business travel made easy with no lock-in contracts and multiple payment options to suit you

Are you juggling (and struggling) to manage all your travel for work needs?

Flight Centre Business Travel’s end-to-end corporate travel solution will help make your business travel easy. Simply fill out the form below and one of our experts will be in touch.  

Alternatively, call 1300 797 826 to speak to someone today.

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Never miss a thing from the world of corporate travel with our handy e-newsletter delivered direct to your inbox. Get news, exclusive offers, travel advice and top tips – it's as a bonus, FREE resource to compliment all the great benefits you get from booking with a Flight Centre Business Travel dedicated Travel Manager.

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Effortless corporate travel management is here.

Boost business travel with trusted expert (and tech) solutions that save you time, money, and enhance the traveller experience. 

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Your next business trip just got easier

Your travel. Your way. Book, change, and track your travels on your phone or let your dedicated consultant handle it for you.

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Our intuitive platform was designed with bookers in mind. Enjoy simpler bookings and traveller tracking at your fingertips.

• Save time and book in minutes from anywhere
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Get the data you need to make the big calls

Melon helps you drive in-policy bookings and make informed calls to improve your bottom line. Make decision-making easy.

• Track your travel spend with real-time data
• Level up to full travel policy compliance
• Flexible reporting just a few clicks away

Meet Melon.

A travel management platform that makes business travel a breeze..

Melon is everything you need to manage all the pieces of your business travel programme, quickly, and easier than ever.

• Ultra-intuitive design
• 5-minute bookings
• On-point reporting for smarter decisions
• Access the best rates  .

Melon is the ultimate travel management solution that covers all your bases from booking, safety, reporting, policy, and expense.

Ready to see it in action?

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Corporate Traveller provides a level of service that’s both thorough and anticipatory. We’re an incredibly fast-moving business and to have a partner as nimble as us managing our travel needs is invaluable.

Caroline Roche, Chief of Staff @ Bumble

Working with Corporate Traveller allows us to get key personnel there on time and most importantly, safely. It’s been seamless; they understand our business, conscious of costs and are an instrumental part of our operations.

Stephen Cochrane @ Rotech Subsea Ltd

Our booking fees have fallen and we’re now capturing more travel spend and have greater overall visibility, allowing us to really pinpoint where there are further savings to be made.

Vicki Mann, Executive Assistant @ New Era

Boost your business travel savings and see the ROI

Ready to see more value from your business travel? Looking for more choice and bigger savings? Want better rates at your preferred hotels? We can help!

• Unlock exclusive corporate rates to keep your costs down 
• Visualise your unused flight credits and stop wasting money
• Keep track of your travellers and maximise travel policy compliance
• Streamline your processes and save time, money, and stress!

Ready to see how much you can save on business travel? 

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What can Corporate Traveller do for you?

It's time for better business travel management

With the perfect balance of modern travel technology and dedicated experts, you really can have the best of both worlds.

• Dedicated travel consultant
• Intuitive all-in-one travel platform
• Search, book, and report in minutes
• 24/7 emergency support & live-chat
• Traveller tracking & duty of care dashboard
• Melon Exclusive Deals, negotiated rates, and more! 

0208 127 4273

Flight Centre Business Travel: Your SME Corporate Travel Partner

Welcome to Flight Centre Business Travel , your local corporate travel specialist for the SME market. Here at Flight Centre Business Travel (FCBT) , we know first-hand the pressures placed on small to medium enterprises (SMEs) every day. With a growing business to run and corporate travel often ranking within the top 3 costs of a company’s profit and loss statement, we’re passionate about helping your business save time and money.  

Our dedicated Travel Managers are true travel experts - experienced, knowledgeable and a one-stop-shop for all your business travel needs.  

Is it time you said goodbye to D.I.Y. and hello to effortless corporate travel management?   

Get in touch

What makes us different? Our People.

Our Travel Managers, like Sarah pictured, are the heart and soul of Flight Centre Business Travel.  When you partner with FCBT, you’ll get direct and easy access to the same person (who sits within a small team) that gets your business, and its travel needs, inside and out.

Our dedicated Travel Managers  work as an extension of your team ( think your own personal travel PA ), solving all your business travel needs, locally. They make our people-led, hyper-personal approach to every stage of your travel program all possible and so valuable to your business.  

The role of our dedicated Travel Managers

Did you know, when it comes to booking business travel, many believe it’s all about finding and booking the lowest fare or hotel?

But, what if we told you there are actually six stages of business travel , with each stage as important as the next? When you partner with Flight Centre Business Travel , you can trust your Travel Manager, like Arash pictured, to add value to your total travel program at each stage:

1. Research >

Bouncing between sites and dozens of open tabs is time consuming. Save time and money with our experts in your corner.

2. Booking >

Save £s with our experts, who can consolidate your booking process, hold flights, access exclusive SME fares + more.

3. Trip Management >

From unexpected changes to missed connections - office hours or after hours, our experts are available 24/7/365.

4. Traveller Experience >

Our experts prioritise traveller preferences & keep things simple and stress-free. Leading to more productive, successful trips.

5. Post Trip Finance and Reporting >

No-one enjoys post-trip admin. Our experts can reduce the time you spend reconciling and reporting on your travel by 50%.

6. Big Picture Thinking >

Our experts deliver real value beyond the booking process; taking a strategic approach to your travel program.

Your Corporate Travel, Made Easy

Flights, hotels, cars and everything in between all organised by your dedicated Travel Manager for a seamless experience. Backed by the strength of our global parent company, Flight Centre Travel Group, you can be confident your business is getting access to the best value, hottest industry deals, exclusive SME rates and benefits.

The broadest range of corporate airfare deals and SME air loyalty programs to give you the best choice, flexibility and price for your business needs.

Access the most competitive rates, reputable suppliers and score bonus inclusions with our exclusive corporate Hotel and Supplier programme. 

Drive away with better value on your car rental thanks to discounted services, bonus offers, and value adds through our exclusive supplier program. 

Group Travel

Whether you have 20 guests to 500, we have the knowledge and expertise to get your people where they need to be and help make it a success.

Why Flight Centre Business Travel?

Choosing Flight Centre Business Travel is the easiest business decision you’ll make all year. We've made it our business to know the travel needs of yours.

A Dedicated Travel Manager

We're on your side. With a personal Travel Manager, you'll get the best advice to suit your needs

Deliverable Savings

Helping you make smart travel decisions for your business, saving you time and money

24/7 Worldwide Customer Care

Whenever and wherever you are, we're here for your business 24/7

No Fixed-term Contracts

Business travel made easy with no fixed-term contracts and multiple payment options to suit you

Are you juggling (and struggling) to manage all your travel for work needs?

Flight Centre Business Travel’s end-to-end corporate travel solution will help make your business travel easy. Simply fill out the form below and one of our experts will be in touch.  

Alternatively, call  0207 280 0573 to speak to someone today.

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• Best overall
• Best for cruises
• Best for reputation
• Best for preexisting conditions
• Best for digital nomads
• Best low-cost
• Best for road trips
• How we reviewed travel insurance companies

Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Travel Insurance in June 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

Traveling is an adventure, a leap into the unknown, a story waiting to unfold. But every story needs a safety net, and that's where travel insurance comes in. In this guide to the best travel insurance, we'll embark on a journey to help you better understand travel insurance and uncover the benefits that make it an indispensable companion for any traveler.

Our Picks for the Best Travel Insurance Companies

• Best Overall: Nationwide Travel Insurance
• Runner-Up: AXA Assistance USA
• Best for Cruises: Travel Guard
• Best Reputation:  C&F Travel Insured
• Best for Pre-existing Conditions:   Tin Leg Travel Insurance
• Best for Digital Nomads:   WorldTrips Travel Insurance
• Best Low-Cost Option:   Trawick International Travel Insurance
• Best for Road Trips: Travelex Travel Insurance

Compare the Best Travel Insurance Companies

The best travel insurance companies offer comprehensive coverage options for a wide range of people and needs. For this guide, we looked at coverage options, customizability, and the best companies for specific situations, such as pre-existing conditions.

Here are Business Insider's picks for the best travel insurance companies in 2024. 

Best Overall Travel Insurance

Nationwide travel insurance.

Nationwide Travel Insurance is of the largest players in the travel insurance space, offering nearly endless options for any customer on the travel spectrum, including annual travel insurance plans which can offer frequent travelers the flexibility to "set it and forget it" on their travel insurance coverage.

Nationwide Essential also offers some of the most affordable policies in the market compared to similar plans from competitors, which makes it a great pick for just about anyone. Buyers can discuss bundling options as Nationwide also sells homeowners, auto, pet, and other insurance products. Its travel insurance quoting is just as easy as it has been with other Nationwide insurance products.

Read our Nationwide Travel Insurance review .

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of trip costs (for cruises) or up to $30,000 (for single-trip plans)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Three cruise-specific plans to choose from
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual travel insurance plans available
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong trip cancellation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancel for any reason coverage available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR insurance not available with every single plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is lower than what some competitors offer

Nationwide Travel Insurance offers many of the standard benefits you might see with a travel insurance policy. This can include things like trip cancellation coverage, so you can recover pre-paid costs or trip interruption in the event your vacation is interrupted by an unexpected event. There's also baggage delay coverage and medical coverage.

• Cancel for any reason coverage available

Best Travel Insurance Runner-Up

Axa assistance usa travel insurance.

AXA Assistance USA  offers consumers a great option for no-stress travel insurance: low-priced plans, generous coverage limits on key categories including primary insurance on lost luggage, and up to 150% reimbursement for qualifying trip cancellations.

While add-ons are limited and rental car coverage is not included by default on cheaper plans, AXA is a perfect fit for travelers who don't plan to drive (or who already hold a travel credit card with rental car coverage), and don't need any additional bells and whistles.

Read our AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance review .

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the trip cost
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical evacuation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1,500 per person coverage for missed connections on cruises and tours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Covers loss of ski, sports and golf equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage ceilings per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage only available for most expensive Platinum plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR coverage ceiling only reaches $50,000 maximum despite going up to 75%

AXA Assistance USA keeps travel insurance simple with gold, silver, and platinum plans. Emergency medical and CFAR are a couple of the options you can expect. Read on to learn more about AXA.

• Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans available
• Trip interruption coverage of up to 150% of the trip cost
• Emergency medical coverage of up to $250,000

Best Travel Insurance for Cruises

Aig travel guard.

Travel Guard is well-known insurance provider, and a great fit for travelers who want to ensure that they can get their money back in the event of canceled or interrupted travel plans.

While the company's policies can be pricey compared to its competitors, the high medical and evacuation limits make AIG a solid choice for older travelers who value peace of mind and simplicity over highly customizable plans that may be bolstered with medical upgrades.

Read our AIG Travel Guard review .

Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost and trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the cost, for all three plan levels
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. CFAR covers up to 75% of total trip costs (maximum of $112,500 on some plans) 
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Medical coverage of up to $500,000 and evacuation of up to $1,000,000 per person
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes COVID coverage 
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Above average baggage loss and delay benefits
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High medical evacuation coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Premiums may run slightly higher than competitors

Travel Guard is a well-established and highly rated name in the travel insurance industry. It offers three main coverage options to choose from, and in general its policies have above-average coverage for baggage loss and baggage delays, plus high medical evaluation coverage limits.

• Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost
• Trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
• Preexisting medical conditions exclusions waiver must be purchased within 15 days of initial trip payment
• Annual travel insurance plan and Pack N' Go plan (for last-minute trips) available

Best Travel Insurance for Reputation

C&f travel insured.

While every travel insurance company has negative reviews about its claims process, C&F Travel Insured 's claims process has a consistent stream of positive reviews. One customer wrote that C&F processed a claim within 48 hours. Additionally, C&F regularly responds to customer reviews within one business week, making reviews a consistent way to reach the company.

Additionally, in C&F's fine print, it mentions that any claims that take more than 30 days to pay out will begin to accrue interest at 9% APY.

C&F's reputation isn't the only thing to speak highly of. It offers an array of add-ons uncommon in the travel insurance industry, such as Interruption for Any Reason insurance and CFAR coverage for annual plans. C&F also offers discounts for children on its Protector Edge plan and free coverage on its Protector plan.  

Read our C&F Travel Insured review . 

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers 2 major plans including CFAR coverage on the more expensive option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancellation for job loss included as a covered reason for trip cancellation/interruption (does not require CFAR coverage to qualify)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Frequent traveler reward included in both policies
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1 million in medical evacuation coverage available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is only $100,000
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Reviews on claims processing indicate ongoing issues
• C&F's Travel Insured policies allow travelers customize travel insurance to fit their specific needs. Frequent travelers may benefit from purchasing an annual travel insurance plan, then adding on CFAR coverage for any portions of travel that may incur greater risk.

Best Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions

Tin leg travel insurance.

Tin Leg Travel Insurance is a great fit for travelers with medical issues in particular. Seven of Tin Leg's eight travel plans include coverage for pre-existing conditions as long as you purchase your policy within 15 days of your initial trip payment.

Thanks to coverage for pre-existing medical conditions as well as for potential COVID-19 infection while traveling, this company offers some of the best financial investment options for travelers who are or will be exposed to higher health risks and issues.

Read our Tin Leg Travel Insurance review .

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Policy coverage includes most pre-existing health conditions
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical and evacuation amounts for peace of mind
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. COVID coverage included by default on all insurance plans
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers a wide range of plans for various budgets and travel needs
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some plans offer CFAR, “cancel for work reasons,” financial default, and unemployment coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited add-on coverage options
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Baggage loss and delay coverage is low compared to competitors

Tin Leg travel insurance offers eight travel insurance plans to meet the unique needs of travelers.

• Tin Leg was founded in 2014 by the travel insurance industry experts at Squaremouth. Designed to meet the most common needs of travelers, these policies offer comprehensive Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits, and a range of Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation limits.

Best Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads

Worldtrips travel insurance.

WorldTrips Travel Insurance has affordable premiums, highly customizable add-ons, and generous coverage for core categories of travel insurance. All this makes it a great option for digital nomads, students studying abroad and backpackers.

However, travelers should keep in mind that plans are not particularly flexible, and coverage amounts are limited unless you plan ahead to pay for the areas and amounts that you need.

Read our WorldTrips Travel Insurance review .

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable base plans that can be customized with add-ons including rental car, pet care, hunting and fishing, and vacation rental coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Insurance plans available for international student travelers
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay coverage benefit that kicks in after just five hours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Pre-existing conditions waiver can be purchased within 21 days of initial trip payment
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Lower medical, evacuation and accidental death limits
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited, secondary baggage loss coverage although baggage protection can be upgraded at a low cost
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No special coverages for pets, sports equipment, etc.

WorldTrips has been a reputable travel insurance provider for more than 20 years. Unsurprisingly, it boasts an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and positive reviews from thousands of customers.

• Travel medical insurance (Premium, Group, Annual, and International Student options)
• Trip cancellation insurance
• Trip protection insurance

Best Travel Insurance for Affordability

Trawick international travel insurance.

Trawick International Travel Insurance is another insurance provider with robust medical travel insurance that can help higher-risk and anxious travelers find peace of mind while on the road. This company offers one of the most generous medical evacuation policies in the market, although travelers will need to remember to add on rental car coverage if they need it.

Read our Trawick Travel Insurance review .

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Useful for adventurous travelers headed to higher-risk destinations
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable plans with varying levels of coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. 10-day free look option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage loss replacement policy
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay coverage kicks in after just six hours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some policies allow a CFAR add-on
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1 million medical evacuation coverage limit
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Baggage and trip delay coverages don’t kick in until after the 12-hour mark
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. International student policies available for temporary stints abroad
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Complaints about claims not being paid or involving an intermediary to resolve claims

Trawick International travel insurance offers plans customized to diverse travelers' needs. We look at coverage options, claims processing, pricing, and other important factors for savvy travelers.

• Travel medical insurance
• Trip protection and cancellation
• International student insurance
• Visitor medical insurance (for traveling to the US)

Best Travel Insurance for Road Trips

Travelex travel insurance.

Travelex Travel Insurance  offers three plans:

• Travel Basic
• Travel Select
• Travel America

The Travelex America plan is meant for trips limited to the U.S., but it has the highest coverage limits in many areas compared to its other programs. If you're flying somewhere, the lost baggage limits are higher. Its natural strengths shine for road trippers, though. Travelex America adds coverage for roadside service and rental car coverage for unexpected accidents. It also covers pets should you be involved in an accident while on the road.

While your standard auto insurance does extend to car rentals within the U.S. for a limited time, any accident would affect future rates. Travelex would eliminate the risk of reporting to your auto insurance provider for minor incidents within its purview.

Read our Travelex Travel Insurance review .

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Options to cover sports equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Option to increase medical coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Can cancel up to 48 hours before travel when CFAR option is purchased
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable coverage for budget-conscious travelers
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Optional "adventure sports" bundle available for riskier activities
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Only two insurance plans to choose from
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage maximum is low at up to $50,000 per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Pricier than some competitors with lower coverage ceilings
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Some competitors offer higher medical emergency coverage

Travelex travel insurance is one of the largest travel insurance providers in the US providing domestic and international coverage options. It offers a basic, select, and America option. Read on to learn more.

• Optional CFAR insurance available with the Travel Select plan
• Trip delay insurance starting at $500 with the Travel Basic plan
• Emergency medical and dental coverage starting at $15,000

Introduction to Travel Insurance

Why travel insurance is a must-have.

The unpredictable nature of traveling – from flight cancellations to medical emergencies – can turn your dream vacation into a nightmare. Travel insurance acts as a personal safeguard, ensuring that unexpected events don't drain your wallet or ruin your trip.

Understanding Different Types of Travel Insurance

Not all travel insurance policies are created equal. From single-trip travel insurance policies to annual travel insurance plans , from minimal coverage to comprehensive protection, understanding the spectrum of options is your first step in finding the right fit for your journey.

Key Features to Look for in Travel Insurance Coverage

Travel insurance for medical emergencies.

Imagine falling ill in a foreign country; daunting, right? A robust travel insurance plan ensures you don't have to worry about how much emergency medical care while traveling will cost, even in the most remote corners of the globe. This coverage will often come in tandem with emergency medical evacuation coverage.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Benefits

Life is full of surprises, some less pleasant than others. Trip cancellation and interruption coverage ensures that you're not left out of pocket if unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel or cut your trip short. You may also look for cancel for any reason and interruption for any reason options, which will reimburse you for a percentage of your nonrefundable fees, but expands the covered reasons you can cancel a trip. You can find our guide on the best CFAR travel insurance companies here.

Coverage for Personal Belongings and Baggage Loss

Losing your belongings is more than an inconvenience; it's losing a piece of your world. Insurance that covers personal belongings and baggage loss ensures that you're compensated for your loss, helping you to rebound and continue your adventure.

Support and Assistance Services

In times of trouble, having a lifeline can make all the difference. Look for insurance that offers 24/7 support and assistance services, giving you peace of mind that help is just a phone call away. Also, check websites that field customer reviews like Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau, and InsureMyTrip , to see how well a company responds to customer requests.

Choosing the Best Travel Insurance

Reputation and reliability of the travel insurance provider.

A provider's reputation is not just about being well-known; it's about reliability, customer satisfaction, and the ability to deliver on promises. Researching and choosing a reputable provider is a cornerstone in ensuring your safety and satisfaction.

Understanding the Policy's Fine Print

The devil is in the details, and understanding the fine print of what your travel insurance policy covers is crucial. Be aware of coverage limits, exclusions, and the process for filing a claim to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Customer Reviews and Feedback

In the age of information, customer reviews and feedback are goldmines of insight. Learn from the experiences of others to gauge the reliability and customer service of the insurance provider you're considering. While the ratings are important, you should also look at whether or not a company responds to customer complaints.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Travel Insurance

Knowing your policy inside out.

Familiarize yourself with every aspect of your policy – what it covers, what it doesn't, how to file a claim, and who to contact in an emergency. Being informed means being prepared. 

Steps to Take When a Problem Arises

If you face an issue during your travels, knowing the immediate steps to take can make all the difference. Keep important contacts and your policy details handy, and remember, your insurance provider is there to assist you.

How to Pick the Best Travel Insurance Company for You

There isn't a one-size-fits-all policy that works perfectly for every traveler. Young, healthy solo travelers can opt for much cheaper plans that offer bare-bones coverage, while families juggling complex itineraries will do best by investing in a robust policy that can help defray any costs associated with lost baggage, delayed transportation or other trip-impeding obstacles.

That being said, you can't go wrong with a travel insurance provider that boasts a reputable history and offers a wide range of customizable plans. In some cases, you may be comparing plans that are only a few dollars' apart from each other. In such situations, you should generally opt for the insurance company that offers the strongest customer service. It's also worth considering whether or not the travel insurance provider has been reviewed by other travelers with similar itineraries to your own. 

An insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip or Squaremouth is one of the best tools for searching travel insurance policies. Once you input the specifics of your travel itinerary, you'll be able to see hundreds of search results to compare the ones that catch your eye. If the options are too overwhelming, use the filters to the left of your search page to eliminate as many irrelevant plans as possible.

How We Reviewed the Best Travel Insurance Companies

To come up with our list of the best travel insurance companies, we evaluated each insurer based on the following factors:

Guide Methodology: What We Considered

Policy Types

Travel insurance is essential, but often underused partly because people aren't getting what they want. Business Insider's 2023 travel study showed 10.65% of travelers surveyed bought cancel for any reason insurance. Cost may be a factor, but in many cases, the coverage is more affordable than you might think. Regardless, companies must offer a diverse range of coverage options. We award five stars to companies offering all standard coverages and additional options like pet and sports equipment protection.

Our 2023 travel study indicated the majority of purchases were made through the travel provider (ex: flight protection insurance when you're purchasing your airline tickets). While these may be sufficient for some customers, we look for companies offering a more comprehensive range of services.

According to the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, the average cost of travel insurance will be between 4% and 8% of total travel expenses. Anything beyond that price point should include additional benefits beyond the standard inclusions, such as CFAR protection or upgraded medical coverage. Anything below that 4% threshold may leave you lacking important or sufficient coverage in an emergency.

Convenience and Flexibility

Whether you're an infrequent traveler or a suitcase warrior, a good travel insurance company should have you covered. In many cases, you might not even have to talk to a person in order to purchase your policy.

Many people think of travel insurance in context with specific trips, but most of these top contenders sell both single-trip and multi-trip policies, also known as annual travel insurance. Some companies also offer plans specifically designed for cruisers, students abroad, and business travelers. (Read our guide to the best cruise travel insurance companies for more details.) Finally, all of these providers offer multiple options for getting the specific areas and amounts of coverage that you want.

Claims Handling

Most travelers never have a large claim. Premiums are low, and it provides peace of mind for the just in case situations. So they leave reviews based on their reduced stress levels. But what happens if you lose your luggage or have to stay a few extra days due to an unexpected accident? Will your insurance carrier cover your claim without all the hassle? We check real customer reviews to sort this out for you.

Ease of Use and Support

When purchasing, during your trip, and throughout the claims process, you may need extra support. Does the company have a 24/7 help line? Does it have an online or mobile system allowing you to self-manage? Essentially, what are the options when you need help? We look at the big picture to evaluate the average customer experience with each company.

You can read our full insurance rating methodology for even more details.

Best Travel Insurance FAQs

There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution for every traveler. Determine the benefits that are most important to you, like baggage delay coverage, medical coverage, and trip delay coverage, then look for a company with solid customer ratings, especially when it comes to processing claims.

Travel insurance will pay out if you experience a covered event, such as a travel delay or delayed or lost baggage. If you're looking to get travel insurance for a specific reason, such as needing to potentially cancel your trip due to work reasons, make sure your policy will cover you in that situation before purchasing it. You should also check customer reviews to see other travelers' claims experiences, as it varies wildly from company to company.

The average cost of travel insurance is 4% to 8% of your total trip cost, so it could vary widely depending on where you're traveling and the length of your trip. Your age, the number of people in your group, and other factors can also influence how much you'll pay.

Most comprehensive travel insurance policies include travel medical coverage that can come in handy if an emergency occurs and you need medical evacuation. Some travel insurance plans offer more specialized coverage for travelers with pre-existing conditions , so shop around if medical coverage is a top priority for you. 

$100,000 should be a sufficient medical coverage limit for travel insurance. If you're planning on doing extreme sports or anything particularly risky on your trip, you may want to increase your coverage level. A high medical coverage limit is especially useful when you're purchasing cruise travel insurance, since medical evacuations are more involved at sea.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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How Generative AI Is Revolutionizing the Travel Industry GenAI won't displace travel agents; instead, it will enhance their efficiency, enabling them to focus on crafting tailored experiences that resonate with travelers on a deeper level.

By Alex Goryachev Edited by Chelsea Brown Jun 24, 2024

Key Takeaways

• Generative AI is transforming the travel industry by enhancing capabilities in areas like personalized marketing, predictive pricing and itinerary planning.
• Small businesses, particularly Tour Operators and Destination Management Companies, can leverage GenAI to significantly enhance their market power and agility as it enables them to offer highly personalized travel experiences that larger companies may struggle to match.
• Travel industry leaders are enthusiastically adopting GenAI, recognizing its potential to enhance their services and operations — however, successful implementation requires developing AI literacy and systematically integrating the technology into their processes.

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

If you're in the travel industry, you already know that nearly everything you do is driven by the constant need to innovate. In the past, that need has been driven by a variety of market forces and inventions, from more extensive road networks and advances in ships and jets to online booking and dramatic changes forced by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Generative AI is the latest major innovative force, and it can't be ignored. It's changing the way large and small companies do their travel business, and GenAI has supercharged an already hypercompetitive industry to a new level of overdrive. Change in the travel industry is constant, and AI is accelerating it beyond what anyone can imagine, even industry experts.

Learning new things and transforming business operations always means a series of challenges and issues, but GenAI also represents an amazing opportunity that goes well beyond the simplistic "innovate or die" aphorism. This technology simply can't be ignored, and that's especially true for smaller businesses — they need to embrace GenAI early and make sure they do it the right way.

Related: The Power of AI in Travel: A Look at How Artificial Intelligence is Shaping the Future of Tourism

Disruption in the travel industry: Your trip will soon be driven by generative AI

While some industries were blindsided by the incursion of AI into traditional best practices, that's not the case with the travel industry at all. Travel leaders have already had to integrate personalized marketing, predictive pricing, deep analytics and ecommerce into the way they do their work. But generative AI is adding powerful new capabilities in all of these areas, not to mention new ones that are exponentially more impactful.

Take online itinerary planning. It's been available for some time now, but existing versions seem almost primitive compared to what GenAI is capable of creating. Established companies like Kayak and Expedia have been experimenting with online itinerary planning for some time, and new products and features are being added on a near-daily basis.

Let's use the example of planning a trip to a new destination. Plug in some well-chosen parameters and a few precise prompts about the travel experience you want, and GenAI will present you with dozens of exciting possibilities, whether they're cultural, culinary, historical or entertainment-based. This level of personalization is driving higher satisfaction and conversion rates among users, and it's a perfect example of a new opportunity being driven by AI.

GenAI represents the ultimate opportunity for travel professionals

This example barely scratches the surface of what GenAI can do, though, and the segment of the travel industry that's best positioned to take advantage of it are Tour Operators and Destination Management Companies. These businesses already account for up to 40% of global travel expenditures, which means they pack a lot of market clout. And GenAI is more than capable of multiplying that market power.

Why? Let's take Destination Management Companies, for example. They already have experience, contacts and knowledge about local travel details that can make or break a trip or turn a good trip into a memorable, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Add in the power of GenAI , and they become industry leaders when it comes to tailoring individual trips for their clients — plus, this technology makes it easy for them to broaden their reach. This kind of unique nimbleness simply can't be matched by larger travel companies or new travel technology startups, and it also allows them to pivot much more quickly to new market demands.

Moreover, employees in travel companies tend to be innovators by nature. Their first instinct is usually to create something that adds value to customers in amazingly powerful ways. They also understand once travel preferences change, customers simply don't want to go back to the old way of doing things.

Related: How AI Solutions Can Improve the Travel and Hotel Booking Experience

What I learned running AI workshops with travel industry leaders

My knowledge about these issues is based on my experience running AI multi-day workshops with travel leaders and members of the National Tour Association from around the world, and the time I've spent with them has been a revelation.

Their reactions to GenAI tend to be very different than leaders in other industries. They're not reacting fearfully or warily at all — instead, they're embracing the capabilities of GenAI with open arms, largely because they quickly see the potential and are able to capitalize on this new technology. They are true-born innovators.

As laudable as that openness is, though, it also comes with some important caveats. Learning about generative AI isn't easy. It takes more than just an open mind; there's hard work involved, along with the struggles that come with learning and deploying any new technology, especially one as powerful as AI. It has to be done systematically and comprehensively, so I'll offer some guidelines to use as a potential path.

My AI advice for travel industry leaders and professionals

Develop AI literacy:

The process of using and capitalizing on GenAI starts with developing what I call " AI literacy ." This kind of literacy is as fundamental and important as the reading and writing skills we all learned when we were very young. There's a lot of information out there about GenAI, and it's important to be aware of how this technology works and what it can do. That's the first step in adapting it to your specific needs as a travel industry leader.

Take a pragmatic approach:

Start with a clear goal that translates into a metric. This will give you the time and guidance to focus on what you do best — serving travelers. The next thing you need to know is where in the travel process to use GenAI. My suggestion is to first use it to streamline your operations — from initial drafts of itinerary creations to data and opportunity analysis. The possibilities are endless.

Related: ChatGPT for Traveling: Can AI Plan Your Next Vacation?

AI will not replace travel agents — it will make them more impactful

Finally, you need to understand that AI won't replace travel planners; it will amplify their magic. By handling routine tasks, AI frees up travel planners to focus on the heart and soul of their work, which is to create unforgettable experiences and build meaningful relationships with clients.

Imagine a world where travel planners have more time to listen, understand and cater to the dreams of each traveler, then make every journey special and unique. AI provides the tools and insights, but it's the human touch , the passion and the creativity of travel planners that turn trips into cherished memories. Far from taking jobs, AI will open new doors for travel planners, allowing them to shine brighter and make a deeper impact on the lives of those they serve.

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AI Executive & WSJ Bestselling Author

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Backgrounder: Six Ottawa tech and AI companies to scale and grow

From: Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

Backgrounder

Today, the Honourable Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Member of Parliament for Kanata–Carleton, along with Yasir Naqvi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre, highlight a repayable investment of more than $10 million in six growing tech and AI companies in Ottawa.

June 24, 2024

Across Canada, people are developing innovative ideas that will grow their businesses and create good jobs. The Government of Canada understands the important role they play in the economy and is supporting businesses on their path to success.

Related Product

News Release: Six Ottawa region businesses to scale up production of technologies and artificial intelligence

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Young women as agents of economic transformation in Africa

Women’s economic empowerment, the crucial role of improved access to markets for young women-led businesses.

Through its Young Africa Works strategy, the Mastercard Foundation committed to enabling the creation of 30 million dignified and fulfilling work opportunities for young people in Africa, 70% of which are for young women, by 2030. We believe that one of the key pathways to creating these opportunities lies in supporting entrepreneurs, especially young women entrepreneurs.

The African Union estimates that 75% of Africa’s population is under the age of 35, and young women are 50% of this segment.

Additionally, according to a recent study conducted by McKinsey and Company, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, “young women in Africa can become important contributors to the continent’s economy, adding $287 billion (a 5% GDP increase) and 23 million jobs” to the continent by 2030. We believe that investing in young women, through innovative and holistic support is crucial for sustainable economic growth and social development in Africa.

The significance of small businesses

Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of Africa’s economy. We also know that Africa is the continent where women start businesses faster than anywhere else in the world; and in Rwanda specifically, young women have shown a preference for entrepreneurship as a pathway to access work. However, young Rwandan women entrepreneurs still face significant challenges that hinder their growth and inclusion in global supply chains.

Most women-owned businesses in Rwanda are in the informal sector, are smaller than men-owned businesses, have fewer employees, and are less profitable. This is due to several barriers, including lower levels of entrepreneurial and digital skills, difficulty accessing adequate financing, limited access to markets, networks, and information, and gender norms that restrict their time availability due to caregiving roles. It is important to note that these challenges are amplified for young women entrepreneurs.

Strategies for amplifying the role of young, women-led small businesses

To help young women entrepreneurs overcome these challenges and access markets, we have taken on a multi-pronged approach to meet them on their entrepreneurship journey. It includes:

• Providing tailored business development services and facilitating access to gender-responsive digital innovations that increase productivity.
• Offering access to market information through stronger networks and digital platforms.
• Creating direct linkages between the entrepreneurs and large buyers as well as financial services providers.
• Addressing issues of compliance with quality certification standards.
• Boosting their self-confidence and enabling a shift towards market-oriented mindsets and practices.

In 2023, the Mastercard Foundation partnered with the International Trade Centre’s SheTrades Initiative and Trademark Africa through a programme called VIBE (Value-Added Initiative to Boost Employment) to deliver on many of the above-mentioned solutions in Rwanda. Through this programme, we are unlocking access to domestic, regional, and global networks, as well as markets for 22,450 entrepreneurs, including 15,780 young women entrepreneurs, to create over 43,930 work opportunities for youth; 70% being young women, by 2028.

We are working specifically with the International Trade Centre to support 150 women-led and 900 refugee-led agricultural small businesses along with other individuals in Rwanda to link them to wider domestic and regional markets, as well as to work opportunities within the horticulture value chains. These efforts are expected to unlock over 21,375 dignified and fulfilling work opportunities for young women and men including young refugees.

A call to action

We are encouraged by the opportunity that Rwandan women entrepreneurs represent in trade and their potential to fully participate as agents of growth and transformation in our country. To build a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem for women, we need collaborations and partnerships between the private sector, public sector, non-profit organizations, businesses, and investors.

This holistic approach will create a welcoming and inclusive environment for young women entrepreneurs across supply chains, enabling them to thrive and contribute to Africa's economic development. Let us continue to invest in young women through small business trade and market access. By doing so, we can ensure they can grow, succeed, and transform our communities and our continent. Together, we can create a brighter, more prosperous future for all.

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