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A Travel Manager’s Guide to Arranging Travel for Executives

In today’s global business landscape, the need for professionally-coordinated corporate travel is a crucial part of many organizations. More specifically, arranging travel for executives is a specialized field that cannot be underestimated. Since senior management is responsible for making high-stakes decisions that drive companies forward, executives require seamless arrangement and a flawless travel experience that optimizes their precious time, thus allowing them to focus on the crux of work. This is where an experienced travel manager and a reliable partner like Teplis Travel comes in.

Teplis Travel understands that an executive’s time is invaluable and travel plans should be nothing less than perfect. Therefore, we strive to offer VIP travel arrangements tailored to respect executive corporate policy and individual preferences.

But you might ask, what specifically does the role of a travel manager entail? And how does arranging for executive travel differ from regular employee travel?

In essence, a travel manager or an executive administrative assistant not only handles the logistics of travel arrangements but also, significantly, aligns it with corporate travel mandates. From coordinating with their corporate travel agency , managing complex calendars, and handling travel expenses to keeping tabs on the itinerary, they act as captains steering the ship of executive travel. 

While the objectives of employee travel and executive travel may be similar, the complexities and standards of execution differ widely. Much like how the roles within a company vary, the travel needs between different levels of the organizational hierarchy are massively distinct. An executive’s travel usually involves strategic planning around high-level meetings, and confidential information, and often caters to stringent preferences – the mission is much more than just booking a flight and hotel. 

With that said, the cornerstone of effective executive travel management lies in an understanding of tools and techniques to create an efficient travel strategy. The subsequent section will reveal the essential skills and tools that ensure seamless travel arrangements for executives.

Essential Skills and Tools For Effective Travel Arrangements

When it comes to arranging travel for executives, a strong set of skills and the right tools can make the process smooth and efficient. Let’s take a deeper dive into what these are.

A travel manager handling travel arrangements for an executive team must be armed with exceptional communication and organizational skills. These aren’t just buzzwords, but vital elements that ensure clear communication of travel plans, handling of administrative tasks, and management of unforeseen changes or last-minute requirements. 

Moreover, in our times, the executive assistant’s role is not confined to conventional duties. It has seeped into areas of project management and strategic planning of business trips. As such, skills in Microsoft Office can offer tremendous help in managing complex calendars and ensuring efficient time management. In particular, an aptitude for Excel can help keep all essential details in an organized format, fostering better tracking and management of travel plans.

In the fast-paced corporate world where last-minute changes are a norm, the ability to quickly adapt and re-strategize is paramount. This links back to the importance of having excellent project management skills which assist in foreseeing potential roadblocks and formulating Plan B’s—even C’s! 

Strategic Steps to Prepare for Executive Travel 

Armed with the right tools and equipped with essential skills, an executive assistant is well-positioned to tackle strategic planning for executive travel. However, the journey from planning to completing a successful business trip requires an established pattern of steps. So what are these steps?

An integral step in the preparation of executive travel is ensuring that you have all the relevant information on hand. Be thorough with the executive’s individual preferences, dietary restrictions, favorite hotels or airlines, and seating preferences on flights, among other details. These nuggets of information can make a world of difference in an executive’s travel experience. 

This brings us to the next crucial aspect – handling sensitive and confidential information. As an executive assistant catering to high-level executives, you are trusted with a great deal of sensitive information, including credit card details, passport copies, home addresses, and more. Maintaining utmost confidentiality and ensuring secure storage of this information is vital. 

Once armed with all relevant information, focus on creating a detailed travel plan. Use your knowledge of the executive’s time to your advantage. Consider flight times that do not hamper their work and recovery schedule. Minimize layovers, and if they’re unavoidable, ensure comfortable lounge access to make the waiting time productive. Plan detailed itineraries, including transport from and to the airport, meeting slots, downtime, and sleep time. Nothing should be left unplanned. 

A significant aspect to consider is that international travel, especially, can span multiple time zones. Scheduling meetings or flights without considering this factor can lead to mismanaged sleep schedules and jet lag, which can hamper the productivity of the executive team. Factor in the time zones when planning and allow enough time for the executive to acclimate to new timings.

And, of course, no plan is foolproof. So always have a backup! Whether it’s a backup flight in case of cancellations or delays, a different hotel, or alternative transportation, stay prepared for unpredicted changes. This will not only showcase your problem-solving skills but also tell your executives that they can rely on you, come rain or shine.

Having looked at the strategic steps to prepare for executive travel, we now delve into the specifics of arranging international travel for executives in the next section. Let’s continue our journey towards becoming a top-notch travel manager.

Arranging International Travel for Executives: What You Need to Know

International travel presents its own unique set of challenges and requirements, especially when arranging travel for executives. The most important aspect of organizing international travel is understanding the going to’s and coming from being involved in your executive’s complex business schedules at an international level.  Having a trusted corporate travel partner like Teplis Travel can make all the difference in the world when traveling internationally.  The expertise of Teplis Travel’s travel agents can help make booking the most complex international itinerary seem effortless and ensure your executive has a successful business trip. 

But, understanding travel expenses goes beyond just booking flights and hotels. It’s crucial to account for differing costs in a foreign country. Currency exchange rates, cost of local transport, meal expenses, and international mobile data are just a few of the myriad expenses that should be considered. An informed overview of these expenses ensures there are no unpleasant surprises and that the trip executed fits within your company’s budget.

Remember how we spoke about sensitive information in the previous section? This becomes all the more important when dealing with international travel. Ensure that your executive has a valid passport with at least six months’ validity before their planned return date. 

For high-level executives, acquiring a diplomatic passport can give them an added layer of convenience and security. These passports not only speed up the process in the foreign customs and immigration departments but also offer other perks like additional baggage allowances and access to diplomatic lounges.

Want an insider tip? When arranging travel outside of the United States, make use of trusted traveler programs like Global Entry and Registered Traveler. Enrolling your executive in these programs will expedite their passage through airport security and immigration, saving valuable time.

Health and safety considerations are particularly evident when traveling internationally. Always ensure that the executive has adequate travel insurance that covers medical evacuation, should it be necessary. Inform them about potential health risks in the destination country, and make sure they’re up-to-date on all required vaccinations. It might seem simple, but these small factors can significantly minimize any unexpected upheavals during the trip.

Having taken a close look at the specifics for arranging international executive travel, it’s time to conclude our guide and help consolidate your journey from an executive assistant to a strategic travel manager. Let’s move on to our final section.

Arranging travel for executives is an art form of its own. It involves digital proficiency, supreme organizational skills, a keen attention to detail, and the ability to anticipate and adapt to change. As a travel manager or executive assistant, your role significantly contributes to the success of your company’s operations. Done well, it not only ensures the smooth travel experience of your executives but can also potentially maximize the productive use of their time.

In this guide, we have delved into essential skills, strategic steps, considerations for international travel, and more. However, it is important to remember that each executive is unique and so are their travel requirements. Thus, always make room for flexibility and customization in your plans. 

As a final word, partnering with an expert travel management company like Teplis Travel can elevate your executive travel arrangements to a professional level. With an extensive repertoire of handling VIP travel arrangements and insider knowledge of corporate travel, we are well poised to assist in not just managing, but enhancing your executive’s travel experience.  While some travel agencies measure their agent knowledge in months, our agents have years and even decades of expertise booking complex and international travel.  

So, as you progress in this journey of arranging business travel for senior executives, remember that Teplis Travel is eager to help you sail smoothly. With the guidance from this post and our experience as your backing, you’re well on your way to becoming an indispensable part of your executive team.

This blog was reviewed for accuracy by

Ted Petty , CIO Teplis Travel

Ted is a seasoned expert in the corporate travel industry, currently serving as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Teplis Travel. With over two decades of experience, Ted has consistently demonstrated his prowess in optimizing travel solutions for businesses, leveraging innovative technologies to streamline operations and enhance the traveler experience. His dynamic leadership and commitment to staying at the forefront of industry trends make him an invaluable asset in the world of corporate and executive travel.

Related Posts

The Ultimate Travel Packet for Your Executive’s Business Travel

A journey of a thousand miles may begin with a single step, but a successful business trip begins with a kick ass travel list. This goldmine checklist, complete with useful tips organized by category, was created specifically for traveling executives after a Ninja asked what to include in a travel packet for the boss’s upcoming trip. So of course, we went straight to the experts: the OfficeNinjas Ambassadors.

This list is comprehensive, packed with Ninja-approved items and hacks for every possible situation we could imagine. But you should feel free to edit and make it your own go-to guide for business travel. Pare down, make tweaks, and add special exceptions tailored specifically to your company and team. Once you have the Ultimate Packing List customized to your boss’s specific needs, prepping for an upcoming trip will be the easiest part of your day.

• Include the confirmation/reservation numbers, phone numbers, and addresses for flights, trains, rental cars, cabs, and hotels.
• Include estimated travel time from the airport to the hotel or other destinations, as well as information on potential delays due to traffic, road construction, and inclement weather.

Ninja Tip: Send your boss a meeting request with airline details (terminals numbers, flight and seat numbers, departure and arrival times, etc.) in the subject line so that travel time is blocked out and the information is instantly accessible. For example-  Subject: Alaska 309 (SFO-SEA): lv 735pm arr 924pm, conf# AP35IRE Location: Seat 24A (window).

Ninja Tip: Once you’ve hammered out all the details, funnel them into PackPoint  so you and the traveler can both access the full spread on a convenient app.

LUGGAGE TAGS

Ninja Tip: Keep a pack of affordable luggage tags in the office as a backup.

MAPS & DETAILED DIRECTIONS

Ninja Tip: Install a map app, like Waze  or Google Maps , on your boss’s phone. You can even download an area for offline use in Google Maps, in case of a poor signal. Screenshots of entire routes can also be saved.

LOYALTY MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS

Track all frequent traveler membership numbers for airlines, hotels, dining, and rental car companies in one place using TripIt or Points .

PARKING INFO & COSTS

Use Spot Hero to reserve parking spaces in advance, and ParkMe  to locate spots.

LOCAL HOST CONTACT INFO

e.g. the client’s admin, office manager at satellite office, etc.

LOCAL SPOTS TO DECOMPRESS

Download one of these apps to your boss’s phone. They allow users to book hotel rooms by the hour so your exec can catch up on emails or even take a nap:

• Hotels by Day

TRAVEL DICTIONARIES & PHRASEBOOKS

Ninja Tip: Purchase travel dictionaries/phrasebooks or download a translation app to your exec’s phone (for international travel). Popular options include:

• Google Translate
• Lonely Planet Phrasebook & Dictionary ( Spanish , French , Mandarin , Japanese , German )

PROTOCOL FOR LAST-MINUTE ITINERARY CHANGES

Clarify who should take the lead on resolving conflicts and rescheduling travel.

PROVIDE TRAVEL ITINERARY TO EXEC’S FAMILY/PARTNER

Meeting Prep

BRIEF BIOS ON MEETING ATTENDEES

Download Charlie  on your exec’s phone. Charlie combs through a bunch of online sources and will send your exec a one-pager on who they’re going to meet before even seeing them.

Ninja Tip: Include suggested topics of conversation as well as personal details that may cause someone to be distracted or unengaged (like a recent birth or death in the family)

NOTES ON BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

Appropriate behavior varies greatly from culture to culture, refer to this infographic to ensure your exec is properly informed.

EXTRA BUSINESS CARDS

An obvious item but one that’s commonly forgotten!

LOCATIONS FOR SMALL MEETINGS & ONE-ON-ONE CONVERSATIONS

These apps identify and reserve on-demand meeting space:

Ninja Tip: Walk Score will tell you if they need to travel by car to get there.

DRESS CODE FOR MEETINGS & SOCIAL ENGAGEMENTS

From casual to white tie, this attire guide breaks it down for you.

HEALTHY SNACKS FOR HEAVY MEETING DAYS

Try these healthy options:

• Love With Food
• Quest Nutrition Protein Bars and Chips
• And don’t forget mints , pocketmist , gum , or breath spray

Financial Considerations

CORPORATE CREDIT CARDS

Remind your exec of these tips for traveling with plastic overseas.

CLEAR, ZIPPERED ENVELOPES

Pouches  for receipts and small miscellaneous items.

EXPENSES REPORTS OR APP

Blank expense reports or ensure that your office’s expense reporting app has been downloaded to your boss’s phone.

Ninja Tip: Download an app that lets your boss scan documents or receipts and save them as PDFs, such as Tiny Scanner , Smart Receipts , Expensify , Abacus , or Shoeboxed .

CURRENCY CONVERSION APP

Download a currency conversion app to your boss’s phone for international travel. Popular options include XE Currency , Currency Converter , and Convert Pad .

Local Points of Interest

HIGHLY REVIEWED BARS AND RESTAURANTS

Check Yelp , Opentable , TripAdvisor , and Zagat before providing your exec with recommendations.

STORES THAT SELL SOUVENIRS AND COLLECTORS’ ITEMS

Ninja Tip: Does your exec’s loved one have an affinity for snow globes or any other trinket? Let your boss know where he/she can purchase these personal items. Boom. You’re now a hero to your boss.

ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES WITHIN WALKING OR SHORT DRIVING DISTANCE

• Parks and historical monuments
• Museums and theaters
• Fun/quirky exhibits

Ninja Tip: Check out AroundMe for nearby amenities.

There you have it, Ninjas! The Ultimate Exec Travel Packet. Let’s recap:

The Ultimate Exec Travel Packet:

• Travel itinerary
• Luggage tags
• Maps and detailed directions
• Loyalty membership numbers
• Parking info and costs
• Local host contact info
• Local spots to decompress
• Travel dictionaries & phrasebooks
• Protocol for last-minute itinerary changes
• Provide travel itinerary to exec’s family/partner

MEETING PREP

• Brief bios on meeting attendees
• Notes on business etiquette (for international travel)
• Extra business cards
• Locations for small meetings and one-on-one conversations
• Dress code for meetings and social engagements
• Healthy snacks for heavy meeting days

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Corporate credit cards
• Clear, zippered envelopes
• Expense reports or app
• Currency conversion app

LOCAL POINTS OF INTEREST

• Highly reviewed bars and restaurants
• Stores that sell souvenirs and collectors’ items
• Attractions and activities within walking or short driving distance

Do you have any additional items or Ninja Tips to add to the Ultimate Exec Travel Packet? Leave your ideas in the comments section!

I provide full itineraries for any of my traveling staff via PDF to their email. This way, they can have it on their smart phone, iPad, etc., as well as providing copies to family as needed. I post a copy in my office so when someone asks “Where is _____?” I don’t have to go searching. The itineraries always have all flight details, any car rental info, hotel confirmation numbers, any necessary phone numbers, email addresses, addresses for the offices/conference centers, etc. When I have multiple staff traveling to the same place from different locations, everyone has the full itinerary of arriving/departing flights so they know they can meet up at the airport and share a cab or a car. I’ve spoiled everyone with the itineraries. I even do them for myself when I travel.

Spoken like a true Ninja! It definitely sounds like those spoil your team… who knows what they would do if you set them up with some apps too! Do you start each itinerary from scratch for each trip, or keep a template somehow?

I use a 8 1/2 by 11 clear envelope for our CEO and put a copy of his flight itinerary on one side and his hotel on the other. This way he never has to open the envelope but flips from airport side to hotel side until he arrives. When he gets there, he pulls out the hotel portion and behind it is all his papers for his conference/meeting. He slips all his receipts in the envelope throughout the trip and brings the envelope back to me when he returns to fill out his reimbursement. I recently filled out a more detailed one page itinerary for another one of our executives with all her information of where she needed to be – flight numbers, hotel details etc. She preferred this method and I sold her on the clear envelope to carry everything in.

Great tip. Thanks for sharing, Lisa!

This is what I do, Lisa.

This is great! Thank you :)

You’re welcome, Carole! How often do you plan business travel?

Comments are closed.

by Valerie Riley | Nov 23, 2021 | Blog , Executive Assistant

Creating a travel itinerary for your boss is one of the most important duties you’ll perform as an executive assistant. A well-organized travel itinerary can make an executive’s business trip and save them a great deal of stress and time. It also showcases your attention to detail and time management skills as an EA . 

Creating a travel itinerary is a lot of responsibility, even for the most experienced executive assistant. But not to worry, we’ll run you through exactly how to put together a successful itinerary for your boss.

Creating a Travel Itinerary for Your Boss

There’s a lot to keep in mind when planning a business trip for your boss. You have to book their flights and make hotel reservations. There’s creating daily agendas and aligning schedules. You will be combing through the small details and little extras. And even after you’ve done all of this, you need to be ready for problems or last-minute changes. There’s a lot to consider.

Discuss Their Travel Preferences

One of the first and most essential steps in creating a travel itinerary for your boss is understanding their personal travel preferences, especially if it’s your first time booking a trip for them. You want to be on the same page from the start.

Flight considerations:

• Do they have a preferred airline? Or do they collect air miles for a particular airline?
• What are their seating preferences? Do they expect to fly business class? Window or aisle? Front or back of the plane?
• What’s their in-flight meal preference? Do they have any food allergies?
• Are layovers okay, or should you pay more for direct flights?

Transportation preferences:

• What is their preferred transportation style? Do they like a hire car, private driver, rideshare service, or public transport?
• Should you book transportation in advance, or would they rather do it when they arrive?

Accommodation preferences:

• Do they prefer staying in a hotel or a rented apartment or condo?
• Any particular amenities they like to have? Such as an on-site restaurant, gym, pool, conference rooms, etc.
• Do they want breakfast included at the hotel, or will they eat out?

Additional things to know:

• Do they like to explore the city in their free time or do they like going back to their hotel to rest?
• Will they want you to book any additional activities?
• What about meals? Should you book business or personal dinners?
• Do they prefer a digital travel itinerary or a printed paper itinerary?
• Do they want a bare-bones itinerary or a super detailed itinerary?
• Does the company have any corporate discounts you can use?

You can find out your boss’s preferences by asking them directly, asking other colleagues, or asking their previous assistant. Keep a document with these details, so you can refer to it when booking future travel.

Know The Purpose Of The Trip

Once you know your boss’s general travel preferences, it’s time to get down to the specifics of their upcoming trip. 

Understand the trip’s purpose:

• What is the goal of the trip? Are they conducting research, attending a conference or business meeting, or pitching business to a client?
• If a lot is going on during the trip, what are your boss’s priorities?

The objective of the trip will largely dictate the itinerary and travel plans. For example, if your boss is trying to impress a prospective client, you may want to book a nice hotel close to the client’s office with an on-site bar for post-meeting drinks.

Know The Details

Creating a travel itinerary for your boss requires knowing exactly where they need to be and when. Once you know the key meetings and events, you can plan the rest of the itinerary around them. Be sure to note the time, date, and location of every meeting, appointment, and business dinner or event.

Make Note of Non-Work Related Requests

Even if your boss is going away on a business trip, they may also have other things they want to do in the place they’re visiting. Ask if they have any personal requests and factor these into the itinerary too.

Non-work requests may include:

• Meeting up with friends or family who live in the city
• Keeping up with their exercise routine
• Sightseeing and attractions
• Eating at certain restaurants
• Shop recommendations to buy gifts or souvenirs for their children

Creating the Actual Itinerary

Now that you know your boss’s preferences and the specific details of the trip, it’s time to create the travel itinerary.

Book From Door-to-Door

When you start booking, think about your boss’s journey from door to door. You’re not only securing the flight. You also need to reserve transport to and from the airport at each end. Put yourself into their shoes and think clearly about what they need at each stage of the journey.

Timing is Key

The when is just as important as the where and how when travel planning for your boss. Think about the time needed to get from A to B and factor it into the itinerary. Is there enough time for meals, filling in paperwork, or buying tickets on public transport? Make sure your boss doesn’t rush around at the last minute or show up late to important meetings.

• How long ahead of their flight do they need to arrive at the airport? 
• How long will it take them to get to the airport, accounting for potential traffic?
• How long will it take to get from their hotel to the client’s office?

Be Mindful of Small Details

“The devil is in the details” is a saying which particularly rings true when travel planning. It’s the small details that catch you out and cause the most significant problems. And as an executive assistant, it’s your job to be mindful of these small details when travel planning for your boss.

• Have you taken time zone differences into account?
• If your boss arrives before the hotel check-in time, will they store the luggage?
• Does the hotel have good Wi-Fi in the rooms?
• Do local buses take credit cards or will your boss need local currency?
• Is there a ‘Plan B’ if something goes wrong like a hotel cancellation or flight delay?
• How can you help from the office if your boss experiences a delay?

Think of ‘Little Extras’

Aside from the key travel plans, there are plenty of ‘little extras’ that will improve your boss’s trip and make you stand out as a fantastic executive assistant.

Extras to consider include::

• Putting together a packing list based on the local weather forecast
• Ordering extra business cards for the trip
• Downloading city guide apps or local transport apps onto their phone
• Compiling a list of restaurant recommendations
• Researching things to do during downtime
• Packing healthy snacks for the plane journey

Make Sure Travel Documents Are Updated

Don’t let all of your travel planning go to waste by letting your boss get to the airport with an expired Passport. While you’d like to think they keep these things up-to-date themselves, don’t take this for granted.

Before the trip, double-check:

• Are your boss’s passport and driver’s license expired?
• Is their travel insurance up-to-date?
• Do they need a Visa for traveling out of the country?
• Do they need any vaccinations for the country they’re visiting?

Stay Organized and Keep Details in One Place

The final travel itinerary you give to your boss should include all relevant travel documents and information in one centralized location. You can create a digital travel pack or a physical wallet. Or both if you want to be extra prepared.

The travel pack should include:

• A daily schedule with all locations and times
• Booking details for flights, hotel, and transport
• Contact numbers for the airline, hotel, and transport companies
• A list of names and phone numbers of your boss’s overseas contacts and any colleagues they’re traveling with
• Boarding passes
• Any necessary visas
• Insurance policy documents
• A copy of their passport and driver’s license
• A packing list based on the weather forecast
• Any extras, such as a map of the city or local restaurant and attraction recommendations

You could consider using a travel planning tool such as TripIt to help keep all of these details organized in one place.

Hire An Executive Assistant to Plan Your Next Business Trip

A well-planned travel itinerary can make or break a trip. If you’re looking for an assistant to plan your next business trip, LifeSquire can help. We help you find, interview, and train the ideal executive assistant. Contact us for more information.

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How to Create the Perfect Travel Itinerary for a Boss

Last Updated: June 21, 2020 References

This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff . Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 48,430 times.

Putting together a travel itinerary for a boss does not have to be an exhausting process. With careful planning, both you and your boss will be ready for whatever may befall a planned trip.

Planning the Trip

• What do they want to prioritize: their comfort and convenience, or saving company money? (Your boss's preference here will help guide borderline decisions that come with your planning.)
• Do they prefer digital itineraries or paper itineraries?
• What kind of seats do they like?
• How much detail do they want in the itinerary?
• What corporate discounts would they like to use?
• How do they want to spend their time before and after meetings?
• Do they want to invest in a travel agent? [1] X Research source [2] X Research source
• Such questions can be helpful in charting a path forward so that you and your boss can be on the same page in building a great travel itinerary.

• Consider phone chargers, adapters for foreign countries (if necessary), flash drives, tablets, batteries, and business cards. [3] X Research source

Booking the Trip

• If your boss has indicated a preference for convenience, you may end up choosing a slightly pricier flight that suits your boss's needs.

• Travel agents can generally contribute more of their know-how if the trip involves indirect flights, international travel, or refundable tickets. [5] X Research source [6] X Research source
• If your boss has a preferred travel agent, definitely work on establishing a strong relationship with this person. Be kind and grateful and aware of their services. You never know when the agent may be able to get you or your boss out of an unforeseeable travel jam.

• If a layover is inevitable, search for flights with shorter layovers.

Organizing the Itinerary

• airport arrival time (at least two hours before the scheduled flight)
• flight's airline
• flight's number
• departure and arrival airports
• departure and arrival times
• departure and arrival gates
• destination hotel with address and check-out time
• car rental information.
• The packet should also have phone numbers for the hotel, the airline, and the travel agent (if applicable).
• Include copies of your boss’s passport and driver’s license.
• If your boss is traveling to a foreign country, supplement the travel pack with information on exchange rates, customs, and any security concerns for the country they are visiting. [13] X Research source
• You want your boss to be able to find this important information easily. [14] X Research source

• Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft have gotten popular and suit cost-sensitive or more casual bosses just fine. That said, some airports do not permit ride-sharing services.
• For a boss seeking to spend on a more luxurious ride, limolink.com allows you to reserve a chauffeured limo or car service in cities worldwide. [15] X Research source
• If your boss wants a town car rather than a limo, research the boss's destination to see what local companies offer town car service.

• Consider scheduling cocktail hour or dinner meetings if your boss does well in more social settings.
• Helpful additions to the daily agendas are weather predictions, a map of the area around the destination, and relevant driving directions.

• If you are familiar with your boss’s tastes, include information on nearby restaurants or events that your boss may enjoy during this free time. [16] X Research source

Being Ready for Problems

Expert Q&A

• Use templates. Some who have planned itineraries for bosses or others in the past offer their work for the edification of future planners. These existing documents can help form the basis for a better itinerary for your boss's upcoming road trip, whether it's just for a rough comparison or if there happen to be actual parts of the document that are closely based on the template. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• It cannot be stressed enough that your boss’s preferences will determine how detailed of an itinerary you should make. Some bosses prefer a bare-bones itinerary; others want specific detail on each and every stage of their trip. Either way, you should maintain for your own knowledge a detailed itinerary for reference. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• There are many mobile apps that consolidate travel planning. Apps like TripIt and Hotel Tonight have been positively reviewed. Install them (and others) on your phone and experiment with their various features. Gauge whether or not they would be a good fit for your boss. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/career-coach-ways-to-get-to-know-the-new-boss/2013/10/12/030f5494-31b7-11e3-8627-c5d7de0a046b_story.html
• ↑ http://executivesecretary.com/an-admins-guide-to-travel-planning/
• ↑ http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/06/travel-agent/488282/
• ↑ http://traveltips.usatoday.com/plan-business-travel-12491.html
• ↑ http://us.deskdemon.com/pages/us/travel/impress-boss-with-travel-plan-OAG
• ↑ http://www.seatgeek.com
• ↑ http://gizmodo.com/every-major-airlines-wifi-service-explained-and-ranked-1701017977
• ↑ http://csuiteassistants.net/powerpieces/creating-a-travel-itinerary-for-your-boss

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Issue: July / August 2015

An Admin’s Guide to Travel Planning

By Julie Perrine / July 25, 2015

From apps to stats, Julie Perrine takes us on a journey and shares her guide to travel planning

As an administrative professional, it’s your responsibility to make your executive’s professional life easier. This probably isn’t an issue when your executive is sitting nearby at their desk, but it gets a little more complicated when he or she has to travel.

Making travel arrangements for your executive and keeping him or her as productive and stress-free as possible on the road requires planning. There are a lot of details to figure out, reservations to make, and schedules to coordinate. And even if you plot out every last detail of the trip, there’s still no guarantee your executive won’t experience a travel snag. So the best thing you can do is be as organized as possible, and be ready to solve travel problems in the moment.

But how do you do that?

These best practices will help make the travel planning process before, during and after a trip as simple and stress-free as possible.

Develop travel planning templates and checklists

My travel planning documents are some of the most useful tools in the travel planning process. One of my main motivations for creating a lot of these travel forms, templates, and checklists is because I forgot (or was afraid I would forget) an important detail in the travel planning process. In these instances, I was forced to resolve issues on the fly as my executive was checking into a hotel, boarding a plane, or renting a car. It was stressful for my executive and me, so I sought out ways to prevent mistakes or oversights from happening again.

The primary documents I developed to keep me on track include: a traveler profile form, a travel planning intake checklist, and a travel itinerary template.

Traveler profile form

The traveler profile form is a single page document that includes all of the contact information for each traveler I supported. It includes their name, title, employee ID and other related work contact details, as well as their home contact information. The form has a section for airline preferences, including frequent flier numbers and status, seat preferences, and meal requests. There are also sections for car rental memberships, hotel preferences, and passport and citizenship details. This was a helpful form for my travel agent and any assistants who filled in for me while I was out of the office.

Traveler planning intake checklist

The travel planning intake checklist is a multiple page form that includes sections for commercial or charter flight arrangements, ground transportation, hotel accommodations, dining reservations, meeting or event details, and room for additional notes. Each section also includes related details that need to be handled, and specific questions to ask the traveler to ensure all of the relevant information is successfully captured. This checklist kept me on top of all of the details related to each trip my executive took.

Travel itinerary template

The travel itinerary template is the ultimate document in summarizing, verifying and creating order out of all of the planning details. To effectively organize all the details, you need a travel itinerary template that you use consistently. Don’t ask your travelers if they want one – just do it! You’ll save them a lot of time and hassle in sorting through multiple documents or scrolling through multiple emails to find the information they need while they are traveling.

If you haven’t done a lot of travel planning, one of the first things I encourage you to do is think chronologically. What is the order of events for your traveler throughout their trip? This will help you get all of the necessary arrangements made from the start (flights, ground transportation, hotel, meals, meetings etc).

If you need some help getting started, download my travel itinerary template at www.AllThingsAdmin.com/free-templates . It’s designed to cover all of the basic details that need to be included on an itinerary for a traveling executive. Not every trip requires airline travel. Not every trip requires rental cars. It may change from trip to trip and traveler to traveler. Remain flexible. Customize your template to make it fit your executive’s specific travel needs.

Treat the compilation of the itinerary as though you are the traveler

Include all the traditional information, such as flight, hotel, and car rental details, as well as additional, useful information, including driving directions, dining options, and entertainment venues.

Even if your executive prefers to have everything available electronically when they travel, a printed travel itinerary can save the day when their internet connection is bad or their phone battery dies. It’s also a valuable resource for you to keep printed and accessible at all times so you have all of the details and phone numbers you need at your fingertips if they call and need help navigating a travel snag.

Finally, before you give your executive the itinerary, make sure to proofread it. There are a lot of details in there and you don’t want to mistakenly throw your executive off with a typo.

A travel itinerary is a valuable resource that helps ensure you and your executive are on the same page for the duration of the trip, and that it’s as productive and smooth as possible.

Develop a relationship with a travel agency

Travel agents are an admin’s best friend when it comes to figuring out trip details and making reservations, especially for complex travel itineraries. They have extensive knowledge of the travel industry and frequently have access to tickets, suppliers and prices that are unavailable online.

But to get the most out of this resource, you need to develop a long-term relationship with a local travel agent or agency affiliated with a national brand. This ensures you’ll have a trusted, reliable travel advisor who can offer assistance and access online money-saving booking tools. My travel agents have saved my executives, former employers, and me a lot of money throughout the years. They’ve corrected mistakes, secured better seats at better prices, and saved the day on more than one occasion.

Most travel agencies charge a ticketing fee to assist with booking tickets, but I look at it as “travel insurance” if things go bad. That fee means I have my travel agent on standby on the other end of the phone line if my traveler encounters a travel issue of any sort. They typically have more resources and expertise in resolving the issue more quickly and effectively than I could ever do on my own. However, this fee means a travel agent might not always be the cheapest option for a trip.

So, when do you call the agent and when do you go it alone?

Use a travel agent for:.

• First-class travel
• Refundable tickets
• International travel
• Multi-stop trips
• A trip that requires research to figure out the best options at the executive’s destination.

Book it yourself for:

• Coach tickets
• Non-refundable tickets
• Personal travel
• Repeat itineraries

A travel agent’s ticket fee can be worth it if you consider the time, stress and hassle you save by having someone else do the research and booking for you. An agent also gives you and your executive some reassurance that he/she won’t be stuck in an airport or bad hotel, or over pay for a trip.

Preparing your executive before, during and after a trip

As an admin, there are several things you can do before, during and after a trip occurs to help your executives be as prepared and efficient as possible.

Before your executive departs, create a travel folder with a copy of their printed itinerary, envelopes for travel receipts, and any important travel documents or meeting materials he or she will need while traveling. Make sure their mobile office is ready for travel by replenishing business cards, batteries, basic office supplies, and other consumables. Create a checklist to ensure your executive always leaves with all of the cords, adapters, flash drives, computers, phones, tablets and presentation tools he or she will need. Discuss how you can best assist him or her during travel so you both have the same expectations of how communication and work will flow in their absence.

Learn as much as you can about your traveler’s destination in advance of their trip.

• What is the local currency?
• What is the local time zone?
• Will they need power adapters for electrical cords?
• What local laws or cultures does your traveler need to be aware of?
• What diseases are common for area(s) that will be visited?
• Is the area prone to natural disasters or pests that can pose a travel risk?
• Are there security warnings in effect?
• Does your traveler’s health insurance provide international coverage?
• Does your traveler’s mobile phone plan provide coverage (especially for international travel)?

If vaccinations or medications are required for the trip, your traveler may need to visit a doctor who specializes in travel health four to eight weeks before their departure. If your traveler is traveling internationally, locate the contact information for your country’s local embassy or consulate in the destination country.

While your executive is away, communication is key

Be sure you’re clear on their preferred method of connecting – phone, email, texting etc. What types of updates do they want and how often? Are you able to share their travel details with others internally or is it strictly confidential? It’s also a good idea to catch up on your executive’s filing and cleaning their office so things are neat and tidy when he or she returns. Ask yourself, “What would make their re-entry process as smooth as possible upon their return?” Then take care of as many of those details as you can.

When your executive returns to the office, the first thing you should do is retrieve their travel folder

Be sure all travel receipts are in it. Note any important details required for submitting their expense report. Then process the expense report as soon as possible so your executive gets reimbursed in a timely manner. Replenish any mobile office supplies that are low so you’re both ready for the next trip. Review any outstanding voice messages, emails, or other important updates with your executive. Finally, ask him or her if everything worked well during the trip, including flights, transportation and accommodations. Find out what you can adjust or change for the next trip, and update your travel planning notes accordingly.

You also need to pay attention to your executive’s health after the trip. If your executive isn’t feeling well, he or she should see their doctor and alert him or her of their recent travels. People visiting areas prone to malaria should continue taking their anti-malaria medications upon their return to prevent infection. Malaria symptoms can take up to a year to appear, so tell your executive to seek medical attention if he or she feels sick.

Technology is your friend

There are countless travel planning resources and apps available online and for download on your mobile device. Travel sites, such as Frommer’s and Fodor’s, can provide valuable travel insights on everything from the best time to book airfares to specific destination information. Travel apps like TripIt and GateGuru can make the process a little more manageable and a lot less stressful.

Here are some travel app categories that you should research, download and test out. If you like how they work and find them helpful, then install them on your traveler’s devices before their next trip:

• Trip planning apps (eg TripIt, SeatGuru)
• Airline apps
• Flight tracking apps (eg Flight Aware, Flight Tracker)
• Ground transportation apps
• Restaurant and dining apps
• Currency converter apps
• Cities regularly traveled to
• Time zone apps
• Weather apps
• Connectivity and sharing apps (eg Skype, Evernote, GoToMeeting)
• Translation apps
• Dictation apps (eg Dragon Dictation)
• Book reading apps
• Movie watching apps
• Social media apps

How to stay current as a travel planner

The travel industry is changing and evolving all of the time. So it’s important for admins to develop best practices for coordinating travel and engage with staying current as a travel planner. Here are some ways you can do that.

1 Read travel websites, blogs, e-newsletters and magazines

You need to be educated on what tools exist to help you successfully accomplish your job as a travel planner. There are a wealth of resources out there and many of them are at your fingertips – quite literally. Figure out which ones work best for the types of travel you coordinate and use them!

2 Connect with travel planning experts and service providers on social media

When you come across a new travel resource in your reading, connect with them on social media. Search Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for the airlines, ground transportation companies, hotels and other travel resources you already use. Then “like”, follow or connect with them so you can stay up-to-date on the latest news, trends and tips.

3 Attend events and conferences

There are numerous events and conferences held annually that are hosted by travel or trade groups. Watch for them and attend when possible. Some of these organizations also offer free or low-cost online training with industry experts.

4 Do internet research

If you have a burning travel question, do an internet search and see what you can learn on your own. There are countless travel review sites that often have first-hand advice and tips from experienced travelers.

5 Ask your travel agent

Travel agencies make sure their agents are subject matter experts on destinations around the world. Reputable agencies regularly invest in training their agents and sending them to the destinations so they can share first-hand experiences with you. Tap into their wealth of knowledge and expand yours at the same time.

6 Ask other travelers

Never underestimate the advice of other travelers. Ask as many people as you can about their experiences, what they enjoyed, what they’d do again and what to avoid.

7 Travel yourself!

Travel is one of the best ways to become a better travel planner. It gives you a new appreciation for the details that go into the planning process. You gain a new respect for the stress that is associated with various types of travel. And it helps you understand just how important your role is in planning and preparing for each trip your executive takes.

If doesn’t matter if you’re brand new to travel planning or you’re a seasoned pro, coordinating travel for your executives can be challenging. By implementing some of these best practices, tips and advice, your confidence will increase. Your skills will improve. And you will make your travel planning responsibilities less stressful, more enjoyable and downright fun!

Put online travel planning resources to use

The web is a valuable source for travel information – whether you want to make reservations, get recommendations or learn more about a particular destination.

Below are some of the online resources I’ve come to rely on for travel planning. Make a point to visit each site. Explore what each has to offer. Sign up for their free newsletters. Visit them regularly to become familiar with the ins and outs of travel planning. You’ll become more knowledgeable and gain confidence in your abilities. Your executives will appreciate the value added support.

Frommers ( frommers.com )

Frommers has destination info, hotels, trip ideas, deals, news, tips and tools, blogs, member forums, and more!

TripIt ( tripit.com )

With the simple forward of an email, you can turn your flight, hotel, and rental car information into a mobile travel itinerary that organized everything in one convenient location. All of the trip details are accessible from mobile devices or can be printed for your traveler to have in hand.

Landlopers ( landlopers.com )

Explore destinations worldwide, find great restaurants, and research the best means of transportation (planes, trains, ships). Check out their “top travel tips” page – specifically the “top travel apps.”

Smart Women Travelers ( smartwomentravelers.com )

If you support female travelers, there are a lot of very good tips and ideas for staying safe, efficient, and productive while on the road.

Christopher Elliott ( elliott.org )

Christopher Elliott is a consumer advocate, multimedia journalist and professional speaker known for his practical advice and creative solutions to customer-service problems primarily in the travel industry.

SeatGuru ( seatguru.com )

Ever had one of your travelers complain about their airline seat size, location, or legroom? SeatGuru includes more than 700 airplane seatmaps from nearly 100 different airlines.

FlightStats ( flightstats.com )

Track flights, view airport delay information, find out what the weather is like in the destination city, setup alerts, and much more. This site can help you troubleshoot potential delays before they ever occur with a few mouse clicks.

The Schengen Visa ( schengenvisainfo.com )

A Schengen Visa makes it easier for a traveler to travel between its 26 member countries. This site explains everything you need to know about the visa, including how to apply for one.

Limolink ( limolink.com )

Reserve chauffeured limo or car service in cities around the world. This site allows you to locate providers and book reservations.

Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands

This book by Terri Morrison and Wayne Conaway is a great read on how to do business in different countries and abide by international customs.

Travel Weekly ( TravelWeekly.com )

Travel Weekly delivers late-breaking news, analysis and research on the travel industry. It provides travel planners with a global perspective through in-depth coverage of airlines, car rentals, cruises, destinations, hotels and tour operator as well as technology, economic and governmental issues.

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8 comments on “ an admin’s guide to travel planning ”.

Hello, Thank you so much for this article! I started a new job as a Travel Coordinator at a Tech Company in February and I’m still learning the ropes. Essentially, I’m an administrative assistant that books a lot of travel. I’m not certified as a travel agent but the core of my job is booking travel. I mostly book through third-party sites like Expedia, Google Flights, etc. I was wondering if you had any advice on using a travel agent or becoming certified myself. Do you think it would help?

This is such a useful article – thanks!! I’m organising a complex trip through my work which has involved many inter changing flights which i booked myself but now wish i’d gone through an agent as i’m worried about delays etc. I will ensure my colleagues have the necessary travel insurance in place. The Flight apps are very useful so i will make sure i set up alerts on all flights so I can keep track!!

Great info. I am just starting to plan trips for guest speakers, so this is extremely helpful. Thanks!

This is a great article, thank you for putting so much useful information in one place. A great site I don’t see mentioned is https://matrix.itasoftware.com/ especially when looking for the most economical route as it allows you to choose multiple cities in an area and dates of travel.

[…] An Admin’s Guide to Travel Planning – … – As an administrative professional, it’s your responsibility to make your executive’s professional life easier. This probably isn’t an issue when your … […]

I totally agree with that statement that technology is your friend. It’s so true that there many travel planning resources that exist. You just have to do a little research to find them.

That’s wonderful, thank you for putting in every small thing in detail. Yes totally agree that technology is our friend, and as busy professionals & entrepreneurs it becomes difficult sometimes to plan for proper time management. I have used Habiliss virtual assistant services to plan-up few of my trips in India and all I would want to say is ‘Incredible India!’

Wonderful guide! Thank you for sharing it with us!

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Fact check: President Biden and Kamala Harris did not fly aboard Air Force One together

The claim: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris road Air Force One together, violating a rule

In a recent Facebook post , an image shows both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris exiting Air Force One.

"The rule is the Prez, and the Veep never travel together, for obvious reasons," said the March 20, 2021, post. "Then why the hell is this happening? More importantly, why is no one saying anything about it??"

The post has over 3,100 shares on Facebook. USA TODAY reached out to the user for a comment.

Fact or fiction?: We're fact checking the news and sending it to your inbox. Sign up to get that here.

It's an interesting claim regarding the new administration, given the longstanding practice of keeping the country's top two officials separated during travel for security reasons.

Let's take a look at what's going on in this picture and the rules in play.

What's happening in the photo

The photo — taken by Eric Baradat of the AFP news agency — shows Biden and Harris leaving Air Force One, but it's not because they flew together. 

Harris flew separately and boarded Air Force One once the plane had already landed in Georgia, according to a Reuters reporter and photographer  who were on site. A Reuters fact check of this claim said Harris flew on Air Force Two and went to Biden's plane for a while before they headed to their afternoon meetings.

(Like Air Force One, that label doesn't refer to a specific plane, it's simply the call sign used for any plane that has the vice president aboard.)

Confusion over the nature of the photo was exacerbated by the photo's original caption, as distributed by Getty Images . It simply described it as the moment Biden and Harris "arrive at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Georgia." 

Fact check: False claim that President Joe Biden's approval rating lowest in American history

Biden and Harris were meeting with Asian American community leaders in Atlanta  following the March 16 spa shootings there that left eight people dead, including six women of Asian descent, and one other person wounded.

According to a New York Times article , the president and vice president met with "Atlanta’s mayor, Keisha Lance Bottoms, state lawmakers and the heads of several Asian-American social justice groups and nonprofit organizations."

Fact check : Facebook post claiming to be from Atlanta spa shooting suspect is fake

Rules or practices?

Officials say there's no formal rule about the president and vice president riding together on Air Force One, but there's a longstanding practice of avoiding that for security reasons.

A White House official told USA TODAY the president and vice president do not fly together on Air Force One, on any occasion.

"It’s not necessarily a rule but a matter of practice," the official said. 

Other research supports that description. 

The official White House page says this about the commander-in-chief's plane: "Air Force One also has quarters for those who accompany the President, including senior advisors, Secret Service officers, traveling press, and other guests." In addition, "the President and his or her travel companions enjoy 4,000 square feet of floor space on three levels." The term "vice president" is not used in the description.

That's because the vice president, her family and staff travel aboard Air Force Two .

They travel separately due to the risk of terrorist attacks or other natural accidents, said John Fortier, executive director of the Continuity of Government Commission at the American Enterprise Institute, who has done research on the U.S. presidency.

After a 2010 airplane crash that killed the president of Poland and other several high-ranking government officials, Fortier talked to  National Public Radio about how the U.S. generally separates the president and vice president during travel to avert a leadership void in the event of a similar incident.

Fact check: Viral image does not show President Joe Biden apologizing to George Floyd's child

"There's a very strong prohibition about the president and vice president flying together," Fortier said. "I wouldn't say that's absolutely universal."

Our rating: False

The claim that an image depicts Biden and Harris flying together aboard Air Force One on March 19 is FALSE, based on our research. Harris flew separately on Air Force Two and then boarded the aircraft with Biden before their meeting that afternoon with community leaders and state lawmakers in Atlanta.

Our fact-check sources:

• Getty Images, March 19, photo of President Biden and Vice President Harris
• Reuters, March 23,  Fact Check-Biden and Harris did not fly together to Atlanta, Georgia on March 19, 2021
• PBS Newshour on YouTube video , March 19, News Wrap: Biden, Harris meet with Asian American leaders in Atlanta following attacks
• President Joe Biden, March 19,  tweet
• Indianapolis Star, Oct. 16, 2017, 6 fun facts about Air Force Two
• New York Times, March 19,  Joe Biden and Kamala Harris met with Asian-American leaders in Atlanta.
• Vice President Kamala Harris, March 19,  tweet
• New York Times, March 19, Atlanta Shootings Live Updates: Suspect Had Visited Targeted Spas Before, Police Say
• NPR, April 12, 2010,  Could Poland Tragedy Happen Here?
• The White House, accessed April 20,//  Air Force One

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here.

Our fact check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.

How U.S. Travel Policies Change in the Biden-Harris Era

January 20th, 2021 at 2:30 AM EST

On day one, travel executives will see policies from White House that will give them renewed hope that the world will be more open and soon safer from a deadly pandemic. Four contentious years will be in the past and a steadiness returned from which to rebuild a devastated industry.

U.S. travel executives will watch with hope along with the rest of the world at noon Wednesday as Joe Biden and Kamala Harris assume the office of president and vice president of the United States. The official swearing in will mark the end of four long years of Donald Trump that left the travel industry frustrated and even baffled by stifling policies.

Things get better immediately, as President Biden will overturn Trump’s ban from Muslim-majority countries through executive order just hours after the inauguration. But that’s just one reason travel executives are hopeful. The new 117th Congress sharing the same party-majority party as the president means policies impacting travel should not face the same familiar partisan bottlenecks.

Biden’s $1.9 trillion injection plan for the U.S. economy to battle the impact of the pandemic will provide assistance to businesses and consumers, providing a lift to gross domestic product that is certain to benefit the travel sector.

And Biden’s laser focus on curbing the pandemic ( he will not follow through with Trump’s proposal to lift bans on travel from Europe, UK and Brazil) will ultimately set a renewed example for the world and set the stage for a return to travel.

It seems like 100 years ago now, but Barack Obama was the first sitting U.S. president to sit down with the travel industry around a table and discuss the challenges facing tourism. It was under his tenure that Brand USA was born, the leading marketing organization for U.S. travel. As Obama’s eight years came to a close, Skift recounted his unprecedented successes for the travel industry .

At the dawn of 2021, travel executives see Biden as a return to those days, and real leadership. Much is still unknown, but here’s how things could change across the U.S. travel industry from a policy perspective.

The announcement that Biden’s first days in office will reverse Trump’s controversial travel restrictions has sent waves of optimism and hope across the sector. The Muslim ban will be the first to go, but the Biden-Harris administration also plans to order a mandate of mask-wearing on federal property and for interstate travel, and the country will see its first semblance of a proposed vaccine distribution plan.

“We’re really encouraged by what the Biden team put out (recently) as it relates to federal leadership on a vaccine distribution, ” said Tori Barnes, executive vice president of public affairs and policy at the U.S. Travel Association.

The organization, which rallied Congress last year for another round of coronavirus relief , hopes to see more specificity in how the federal government will use the additional $20 billion towards the vaccination effort, part of Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus recovery plan, though Barnes noted there is strong recognition that the most impacted industries are those in the hospitality, travel and tourism as well as the restaurant sectors.

“In conversations that we’ve had with the Biden transition team, they’ve recognized the need for additional, not only relief, but significant stimulus to help get businesses going again and so we’re very much encouraged by that as well,” Barnes said.

In addition to the promise of jabs underway but also more jobs in tourism being restored, the Biden administration’s cabinet nominees make up a group of experienced voices with a better understanding of the tourism sector, and there’s potential for bipartisan support on new and improved tourism policies.

“In particular, Alejandro Mayorkas from DHS who has a strong history of the key issues to travel and tourism, previously serving at [Department of Homeland Security] under the Obama administration,” Barnes said. “Governor Raimondo of Rhode Island has a very strong understanding of the importance of business and in particular small business — 83 percent of travel businesses are actually small business — and has a record within her state of supporting travel and tourism as an economic driver, that’s very encouraging.”

Additional key appointees expected to help quicken U.S. travel’s recovery, according to Barnes, include Janet Yellen, “ a steady, knowledgeable hand in Treasury ” who is pushing for Covid relief for the industry, not to mention Deb Haaland and her support of outdoor tourism and national parks.

Brad Dean, CEO of Discover Puerto Rico , noted that Biden’s administration has a chance to demonstrate the importance of travel and tourism to the U.S. by improving infrastructure and technology.

“The Biden/Harris administration can, and should, instill a broad commitment amongst all key agencies to advance travel-related infrastructure, systems, resources and policies that will drive sustainable growth for future generations,” Dean said.

This push to commit to travel includes rebuilding America’s image abroad and driving international tourism to the U.S., which may come easier given Biden is no stranger to governments around the world.

But will international visitors return faster as a result?

“We are supportive of the idea of testing for international inbound travel, but really only in conjunction with lifting the travel bans — especially with the EU, the UK, Brazil and others — and additionally we’d also like to see that if you’re going to do the testing then quarantines are not required,” Barnes said, noting the $59 billion travel trade surplus from international visitors in 2019.

Dean agrees, noting that despite domestic travel leading the recovery, a “positive, welcoming message that encourages global travelers to return” is needed. “The Biden-Harris administration has an opportunity to not simply restore the funding structure [of Brand USA] but establish a new model suited to grow international arrivals to record levels,” Dean said.

Ultimately, the U.S. travel industry is hopeful that travel and tourism will be seen by the new administration and congress as key to the nation’s economy’s recovery.

“We always say that travel and tourism is a non partisan issue and travel is important for all 50 states and territories and so it shouldn’t be a red or blue issue,” Barnes said. “And we have great champions on both sides of the aisle and I’m hopeful that they can come together to get some meaningful policy accomplished.”

— Lebawit Lily Girma, Global Tourism Reporter

The hotel industry has 1.9 trillion reasons to be optimistic about the incoming Biden-Harris administration, but it also isn’t losing sight of an ongoing public health catastrophe that isn’t going away anytime soon.

Biden’s proposed $1.9 trillion relief measure would deliver an additional $400 per week in federal unemployment benefits, a major win for an industry facing severe unemployment like hospitality. While the U.S. hotel industry unemployment rate dipped to 18.9 percent last month, it is still out of step with the 6.7 percent national average .

Biden’s plan also comes after a $900 billion measure passed late last month reopened and added funds to the Paycheck Protection Program of federally backed small business loans, the top relief request from the hotel industry.

“The hotel industry is excited to work with the new Administration to strengthen and implement crucial policies to help drive demand, bring back jobs, reignite a continued investment in the communities we serve, and ultimately bring back travel,” American Hotel & Lodging Association CEO Chip Rogers said in a statement.

But hotel leaders recognize the road to recovery is a long one.

“While I am confident that the hospitality industry will make a full recovery, Covid-19  remains a serious challenge. Above all, we need care, collaboration and stability from the new administration in order to rebuild our deeply impacted industry,” Hyatt CEO Mark Hoplamazian said in a statement to Skift. “Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have believed that accessibility of vaccines as well as rapid, high-quality and low-cost testing would be vital to travel’s rebound and we are optimistic that the new administration will prioritize increasing access to both. We look forward to collaborating with the new administration on these efforts, which we hope will bring us all closer to reconnecting and experiencing the joy of travel again.”

Biden’s proposal calls for investing $20 billion in a national vaccination program as well as $50 billion for testing.

The hotel industry could play a role in helping Biden achieve his target of 100 million people being vaccinated in his first 100 days. Hoteliers can partner with local, state, and federal governments to offer up their hotels as vaccination distribution points, Rogers said.

But the hotel industry hopes the relief doesn’t stop with Biden’s $1.9 trillion plan. Ultimately, an actual stimulus plan will be necessary in reviving the decimated group business, convention, and international travel sectors.

“It’s clear that getting colleagues back to work is not only incredibly important for our industry, but also for overall economic recovery,” Hoplamazian said. “We urge congress and the new administration to come together on a longer-term stimulus package to sustain the hotel industry and help the country recover economically once the public health threat subsides.”

Once that threat does subside, there are other issues the hotel industry hopes to achieve with the Biden administration — largely around labor. Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson, in an open letter posted to LinkedIn shortly after Biden’s victory , listed immigration as one of several measures he hoped would change under a Biden administration.

“There has been little effort to build a public consensus about immigration for far too many years. We need to get to work on building that consensus, moving as quickly as we can to allow those who are already here to be the productive members of our society they want to be, while creating transparent rules and predictability about what levels of future immigration should be permitted,” Sorenson said. “Immigrants built this country and done right, will be part of the success story of our future.”

— Cameron Sperance, Hospitality Reporter

Airlines are set to get their top priority from Biden later Tuesday. The new president plans to sign an executive order mandating masks on all U.S. flights among his first acts after being sworn in on Wednesday. The industry has called for a federal mask mandate since the early days of the crisis.

While it is unclear how the mask mandate will work, having the backing of the federal government is expected to alleviate much of the harassment crews face enforcing airline rules. And, as the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) president Sara Nelson has put it, “clear, calm, commanding leadership from the highest levels” of government will go a long way towards normalizing the practice.

Airlines are also looking towards the new administration for support of the travel recovery. To that end, trade group Airlines for America (A4A) encourages the new administration to adopt a standardized testing regime to restart international travel and replace the remaining country-specific entry restrictions . The organization supports the implementation of a required molecular antigen test three-days before travel, it said in a letter to incoming Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Monday.

Carriers, however, are optimistic for the year. Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian anticipates an “inflection point” sometime this spring — potentially within 90 days — that will mark what he and his team think will begin a sustained, and not choppy, recovery. Bastian is even optimistic that the Atlanta-based carrier could be profitable by summer.

Other airlines and Wall Street analysts also anticipate a return in traveler confidence — at least domestically — by summer. This should support a sustained recovery in both schedules and passenger numbers during the second half of 2021. However, the outlook is not without caveats: neither international flying nor corporate travel is expected to return in significant numbers by year-end.

“While the advent of multiple vaccines is encouraging, we do not expect [passenger] volumes to return to pre-pandemic levels before 2024, at the earliest,” wrote A4A President Nicholas Calio in the letter to Buttigieg.

Aside from the immediate Covid-19 needs, airlines hope Biden will accelerate some of their long sought goals. One of these is investment in the NextGen modernization of the U.S. air traffic control system. The more than a decade-old plan replaces the current ground radar-based system with a satellite-based one that would shorten routings, reduce delays and ultimately cut aircraft emissions.

However, multiple presidential administrations have attempted to accelerate NextGen with minimal results. Some upgrades have been made but they are market specific and far from the broad system modernization envisioned. There is hope that an emphasis on the environmental bonafides of NextGen investments will win it points in a new administration that plans to focus on infrastructure and climate issues.

— Edward Russell, Airlines Reporter

Online Travel and Tech

Online travel executives expect the Biden administration to take a more open and less jingoistic stance toward travel, as evidenced by reports that the new president will reverse the Muslim travel ban, for example, but there are many important issues that remain open questions.

For example, how tough will the Biden administration be on Big Tech and broader antitrust issues?

Reuters reported that the Biden transition team charged with Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission issues conducted a call in mid-November with moderates and progressives, and they discussed topics including being more aggressive in level antitrust suits to block anticompetitive mergers, and even rolling back mergers that they now deem to be harmful.

“Other topics discussed during the session included reversing merger guidelines, retrospective scrutiny of mergers, revamping antiquated competition laws and offering more funds for federal enforcement agencies such as the FTC, the sources said,” according to Reuters.

But it’s unknown where the Biden administration will land on these issues. Former President Obama’s Federal Trade Commission, for instance, declined to take a tough stance against Google’s anticompetitive business practices, but that may not be a template for the incoming administration.

Obliterating Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a foundation of free speech on the Internet, would be a fiasco for online travel. Section 230 enables online travel companies to post user reviews without fear of liability in most circumstances.

Tripadvisor is part of a coalition , Internet Works, that seeks to deter scattershot actions with unintended consequences to alter the Act.

“Given multiple legislative proposals that could undermine CDA 230 benefits, the goal of Internet Works is to ensure policymakers understand the potential unintended consequences of blunt changes to the law, including reducing competition, imperiling consumer choice, and limiting effective content moderation efforts,” the coalition stated.

Google, too, opposes abolishing Section 230, arguing several months ago that it would harm the U.S. economy and the country’s “global leadership on Internet freedom.”

Steve Kaufer, Tripadvisor co-founder and CEO, was bullish about the Biden’s administration’s chances of boosting the U.S. economy and its workers.

“The Biden administration’s commitment to the speedy and equitable distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine, we believe, will have an immensely positive impact on the travel and hospitality industries and the economy at-large,” Kaufer said. “We’re looking forward to supporting the incoming President and his team focused on getting us through this pandemic and the work required to grow tourism and support American workers displaced by this crisis.”

Chris Lehane, Airbnb’s head of policy and communications, said he expects the Biden administration to support the travel industry because Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris believe in an open world.

He argued that the more pertinent issue should be how can the travel industry, with its fostering of people-to-people connections around the world, support the Biden administration rather than the reverse.

“And the most powerful way to renew this uniquely American superpower in this profound moment where there is a big question within our country and beyond our country, is advancing an open world or a closed world,” Lehane said. “And we know it is travel that is foundational.”

On the specifics, Lehane believes the Biden administration will reverse travel bans, back economic stimulus to spur a recovery, integrate sustainability objectives into travel and tourism, and enlist federal agencies to support health and safety initiatives.

Eben Peck, executive vice president, advocacy, for the American Society of Travel Advisors, welcomed the Biden administration’s proposed Covid-relief package.

“We welcome and wholeheartedly support the provisions of President-elect Biden’s Covid-19 relief proposal that will help spur the travel industry’s recovery and provide support to ASTA members, employees and independent contractors,” Peck said in a statement.

Peck specifically lauded the Biden team’s proposed “ambitious” vaccine program, extension of unemployment programs, and targeted relief for small businesses, including travel agencies.

“This is just the beginning of the process and we are working with allies in Congress to build on these proposals and provide additional support for our members, including targeted funding for travel businesses and new long-term loan programs for hard-hit businesses along the lines of last year’s RESTART Act,” Peck said.

— Dennis Schaal, Founding and Executive Editor

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Tags: Biden , coronavirus recovery , white house

Photo credit: Joseph Biden and Kamala Harris take office officially on Wednesday as U.S. president and vice president, with much of the travel industry waiting in anticipation of new policies. Wikimedia

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U.s. travel applauds biden admin’s travel and tourism strategy to boost international visitation.

PRESS RELEASE June 06, 2022

WASHINGTON -

Roger Dow, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, issued the following statement upon today’s release of the federal government’s new National Travel and Tourism Strategy :

“The recovery of American travel jobs and visitor spending hinges upon the annual growth of international inbound travel. America must apply every possible resource at rebuilding it to full strength to benefit American workers and businesses in every pocket of the country. “The new National Travel and Tourism Strategy comes at an important time when international travel spending in the U.S. was still 78% below 2019 levels in 2021. “We commend the leadership of Commerce Secretary Raimondo and the Tourism Policy Council and applaud the ambitious goal of attracting 90 million visitor arrivals annually in the U.S. by 2027. The strategy sets out specific actions that the government can take to rebuild our travel economy and make it more globally competitive than it was before the pandemic. “There is a lot of work ahead, but the administration must start by immediately repealing the pre-departure testing requirement for all vaccinated international air travelers and taking steps to drastically lower visa wait times. “More than 40 nations have safely removed their pre-departure testing requirement and a recent survey found that 54% of international travelers were less likely to visit the U.S. with the requirement still in place. Average wait times for visa appointments have also soared to more than a year in some of our top source markets, which prevents millions of people from visiting. “U.S. Travel will continue to work closely with our partners in the government to advance the strategic growth of inbound travel and to reduce the barriers to inbound travel that remain in place.”

U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing the $1.3 trillion travel industry, an essential contributor to our nation's economy and success. U.S. Travel produces programs and insights and advocates for policies to increase travel to and within the United States. Visit ustravel.org for more information.

David James

Vice President, Media Relations

202.218.3658

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The ultimate guide to administrative tasks and duties

What are administrative skills.

• Office managers
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• Executive assistants
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• Those in office administration and administrative support positions

Examples of administrative skills

1. strong organizational skills.

• Organizing and maintaining records, files, and databases
• Scheduling appointments and maintaining calendars
• Writing memos and transcribing recorded dictation
• Creating email templates
• Making travel arrangements
• Organizing office equipment and inventory
• Creating itineraries for managers
• Forward planning

2. Communication skills

• Absorbing and disseminating information in a practical and understandable way
• The ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of people in different ways
• Clarifying complex information, both written and verbal

3. Teamwork and interpersonal skills

• The ability to build solid, collaborative relationships with colleagues
• Adaptability and acting as a team player rather than a lone individual
• Practicing empathy and communicating well
• Keeping the broader business goals and objectives in mind while working on tasks
• Receiving and providing constructive feedback

4. Customer service skills

• Complaint and problem resolution
• Building customer loyalty
• Setting customer expectations
• Liaising between key colleagues and clients

5. Problem-solving skills

• The ability to identify problems and decide on the best solution
• Come up with creative solutions to problems
• Confidence in decision making
• Communicate well when problems arise

6. Technology and software skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Ability to use a large range of email clients (Outlook, Gmail)
• Managing databases
• Using accounting software
• Using a travel management platform to organize business travel

How to improve your administrative skills

1. learn more about your company and the wider industry, 2. take advantage of training and development programs, 3. seek out challenging new opportunities.

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Assistant Secretary Grant T. Harris Leads U.S. Delegation to 2024 U.S.-China Tourism Leadership Summit to Promote U.S. Travel and Tourism and Enhance People-to-People Ties

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, May 21, 2024 Contact: Office of Public Affairs Email: [email protected] Phone: 202-482-3809

WASHINGTON - From May 21-23, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Analysis Grant T. Harris will travel to Xi’an, People’s Republic of China (PRC), where he will lead the U.S. delegation to the 14th U.S.-China Tourism Leadership Summit.  The Summit will underscore the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to strengthen the U.S. travel and tourism sector and enhance people-to-people exchanges with China.  As announced in August 2023 by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and former PRC Minister of Culture and Tourism Hu Heping, the Summit will convene for the first time since 2019 and bring together American and Chinese public and private sector travel and tourism leaders to support people-to-people connections and forge partnerships that will foster economic growth in both countries.

“Since day one of the Biden-Harris Administration, the U.S. Department of Commerce has made it a top priority to rebuild the travel and tourism sector in a way that spurs inclusive economic growth, creates good jobs, and bolsters conservation and sustainability,” said Assistant Secretary Harris. “This Summit is an opportunity to increase international visitation to the United States, which is important to jobs and communities across the country.”

Prior to the pandemic, the United States welcomed nearly 3 million Chinese visitors annually, who spent $33 billion while visiting the country. Restoring Chinese visitation to 2019 levels would add over 50,000 direct American jobs. Including indirect jobs and students studying in the United States, that number increases to an estimated 400,000 American jobs.

In 2023, travel and tourism was the second-largest services export (including exports of travel and air passenger transport services) for the United States and accounted for 21% of all U.S. services exports. The U.S.-China Tourism Leadership Summit—which is being hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the PRC in coordination with the U.S. Department of Commerce and Brand USA —represents a significant milestone in bilateral cooperation and exchange in the travel and tourism sector.  Assistant Secretary Harris is the most senior official to lead the U.S. delegation in the history of U.S.-China travel and tourism summits, further demonstrating the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to the growth and vitality of the travel and tourism sector.

The National Travel and Tourism Office sits within the Industry and Analysis business unit in the International Trade Administration at the Department of Commerce.  For more information on the federal government’s National Travel and Tourism Strategy or official U.S. travel and tourism statistics and research programs, please visit: https://www.trade.gov/national-travel-and-tourism-office.

About the International Trade Administration The International Trade Administration (ITA) at the U.S. Department of Commerce is the premier government resource for American companies competing in the global marketplace. Operating in more than 100 U.S. locations and 80 markets worldwide, ITA promotes trade and investment, assists U.S. businesses and workers to export and expand globally, and ensures fair trade and compliance by enforcing U.S. trade laws and agreements. For more information on ITA, visit www.trade.gov .

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TSA is prepared for busiest summer travel season ever

WASHINGTON — The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is prepared for the highest passenger volumes the agency has seen at airport security checkpoints nationwide during this summer’s travel season, which begins Memorial Day weekend and runs through Labor Day. TSA forecasts Friday, May 24, to be the busiest travel day of the long Memorial Day weekend, anticipating nearly three million passengers. From May 23 to May 29, the agency expects to screen more than 18 million passengers and crew, representing a checkpoint volume increase of approximately 6.4% compared to the same period in 2023.

“In close coordination with airport, airline and travel partners, we are more than ready to handle this summer’s increased travel volumes,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “We are also continuing to deploy state-of-the-art checkpoint technology that increases security effectiveness, efficiency and enhances the passenger experience and our retention and recruitment numbers are the highest they’ve ever been.”

TSA is continuing to modernize airport security checkpoints across the country with a focus on enhanced detection methods to best secure the aviation system. This summer, airline passengers can expect to encounter some of those latest checkpoint technologies and recommends several important travel tips. These include:

Tip 1: Be aware of new checkpoint technology and follow TSA guidance. TSA is using the second generation of Credential Authentication Technology (CAT-2), which features the same capabilities as the CAT, confirming the authenticity of a passenger’s identification credentials with their acceptable photo identification credential along with their flight details and pre-screening status, but with an added camera feature. The passenger may voluntarily agree to have a real-time photo taken of them to verify their identity using their TSA-acceptable identification credential. The facial recognition technology TSA utilizes helps ensure the person standing at the checkpoint is the same person pictured on their ID. Keep your boarding pass tucked away. Photos are not stored or saved after a positive ID match has been made, except in a limited testing environment for evaluation of the effectiveness of the technology. Passengers who do not want their photo taken may ask the Transportation Security Officer (TSO) for a manual ID check without penalty and losing their place in line. For more information on how TSA is using facial recognition technology, see TSA’s Privacy Impact Assessments , Fact Sheet and biometrics technology webpage s.

Several airports have installed Computed Tomography (CT) units. These units significantly improve scanning and threat detection capabilities for carry-on bags. CT units give TSOs the ability to review a 3D image of passengers’ bags and reduce the need to physically search the contents of the bag. Passengers screened in security lanes with CT units do not need to remove their 3-1-1 liquids or laptops, but they must place every carry-on item, including bags, into a bin for screening. Passengers are also reminded to bring at maximum one carry-on bag and one personal item through security screening.

To date, TSA has deployed 2,050 CAT units to 223 airports. Among those, 238 CAT units represent the second generation (CAT-2) technology and are located in 84 airports nationwide. Additionally, TSA has deployed more than 820 CT units to more than 240 airports nationwide.

Screening protocols may vary from airport to airport depending on available technology and the current threat environment, so it is important for passengers to follow the TSO’s directions.

Tip 2: Do you carry a firearm? Prepare, pack and declare. Firearms are prohibited at security checkpoints, in the secure area of an airport and in the passenger cabin of an aircraft, even if a passenger has a concealed carry permit or is in a constitutional carry jurisdiction. Passengers may travel with a firearm , but it must be secured in the passenger’s checked baggage; packed unloaded; locked in a hard-sided case; and declared to the airline when checking in at the airline ticket counter.

TSA does not confiscate or seize firearms. If a passenger brings a firearm to the security checkpoint on their person or in their carry-on luggage, the TSO will contact local law enforcement to safely unload and take possession of the firearm. Law enforcement may also arrest or cite the passenger, depending on local law. TSA may impose a civil penalty up to almost $15,000, and for the first offense, passengers who bring a firearm to a security checkpoint will lose TSA PreCheck ® eligibility for five years. Second violations will result in permanent disqualification from the program and additional civil penalties.

Tip 3: Pack an empty bag, know before you go, and remember the 3-1-1 rule. When airline passengers begin packing for travel with an empty bag, they are less likely to be stopped at the security checkpoint for having prohibited items. Prior to packing that empty bag, check TSA’s “What Can I Bring?” tool to know what is prohibited. If you’re heading to the beach, you may wonder how to pack your sunscreen. Any liquids, sunscreen containers and alcohol over 3.4 ounces must be packed in a checked bag. Liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes are allowed in carry-on bags as long as each item is 3.4 ounces or less and placed in one quart-sized bag. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes.

Tip 4: Make sure you have a REAL ID or another acceptable ID. Adult passengers 18 years and older must show valid ID credentials at the airport checkpoint in order to travel. Beginning May 7, 2025, if you plan to use your state-issued ID or driver’s license to fly within the U.S., make sure you have a REAL ID or another acceptable form of ID. If you are not sure if you have a REAL ID, check with your state department of motor vehicles. For questions on acceptable IDs, go to TSA.gov.

Tip 5: TSA PreCheck ® members: Make sure your Known Traveler Number (KTN) is in your reservation. With nearly 20 million TSA PreCheck members, it is essential that airline reservations have the passenger’s correct KTN, full name and date of birth so they can truly “Travel with Ease.” Those who fly with multiple airlines should ensure their KTN is updated in each of their airline profiles every time they travel. TSA PreCheck passengers are low-risk travelers who do not need to remove shoes, belts, 3-1-1 liquids, food, laptops and light jackets at the TSA checkpoint. TSA’s wait time standards for TSA PreCheck lanes are under 10 minutes and under 30 minutes for standard lanes. 

If you are not yet enrolled in TSA PreCheck and appreciate faster passenger checkpoint screening, we encourage you to enroll with one of TSA’s enrollment providers starting at $77.95 for a five-year membership. Most new enrollees receive their KTN within three to five days. Members may renew membership online up to six months prior to expiration for another five-year term starting at $68.95. Visit TSA PreCheck at www.tsa.gov/precheck for more information about enrolling or renewing in TSA PreCheck and to find enrollment locations and pricing information for all TSA PreCheck enrollment providers.

Tip 6: Give yourself plenty of time. Summer travel will be busy, so plan ahead! Give yourself plenty of time to park or return a rental car, take a shuttle to the airport if needed, check in with your airline and drop your bags and prepare for the security checkpoint. Save time by removing items from pockets and placing them in your carry-on bag, instead of putting items directly into bins at the conveyor belt.

Tip 7: Respect TSA and other frontline airport and airline employees. Violence and unruly behavior in the transportation system are not acceptable and result in significant delays at traveler checkpoints. TSOs, along with all frontline airport and airline employees and local law enforcement, are working together to ensure safe and secure travel. Assaulting a TSA employee is a federal offense and will result in penalties and/or arrest.

Tip 8: Contact TSA with questions, compliments, complaints or assistance. Contact TSA by sending a text directly to 275-872 (“AskTSA”) on any mobile device or over social media by sending a message to @AskTSA on X or Facebook Messenger. An automated virtual assistant is available 24/7 to answer commonly asked questions, and AskTSA staff are available 365 days a year from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET for more complicated questions. Travelers may also reach the TSA Contact Center at 866-289-9673. An automated service is available 24/7. Passengers who need additional assistance through security screening may request a TSA Passenger Support Specialist (PSS). A PSS is a TSO who has received specialized training, including how to effectively assist and communicate with individuals with disabilities, medical conditions or those who need additional screening assistance. Individuals should request passenger assistance at least 72 hours in advance by contacting our TSA Cares passenger support line at (855) 787-2227. Live assistance for both the TCC and TSA Cares is available weekdays, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, or weekends and holidays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

TSA encourages all passengers to remain vigilant. If You See Something. Say Something ® . Those traveling abroad for the summer should check the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Know Before You Go page to learn about required documentation. For those traveling with children this summer, TSA offers kid-friendly videos for children packing for their upcoming trip.

For additional information about changes to air travel please see the Department of Transportation’s recent announcement .

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We at Sisterhood Travels would LOVE to have you join us on any of our incredible, hand-curated tours specifically designed for solo female travel. No ho-hum cookie-cutter trips for our Sisters! With Sisterhood Travels, you’re part of exclusive women-only travel groups, ensuring you’re never alone…unless you prefer little independence from time to time. 85% of our Sisters travel solo in our exclusive groups, many of whom ask us to match them to a roommate!

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We’re absolutely thrilled to share some fantastic news. Thanks to your incredible support, Sisterhood Travels has been named to Newsweek’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards in the Best Women’s Travel Club category! This victory is a big shoutout to each of you who have trusted us with your journey and believe in our mission.

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Welcome to sisterhood travels.

Sisterhood Travels offers the best solo trips for women. Join our one of our travel groups for women, made up of independent women over 45 year old and have the desire to travel the world with other like-minded women traveling together. We’re an inclusive, diverse bunch, and we hope you’ll join our travel group and see what we’re all about! Feel free to email us at [email protected] or call us at 910-742-5324.

How it All Began

Discover how Stacey Ray, inspired by her late husband Mike, transformed their shared passion for travel into an empowering platform for women across the globe. Having journeyed together through over 80 countries, Stacey & Mike shared an insatiable wanderlust, which continues to inspire the essence of Sisterhood Travel.

SISTERS KNOW BEST

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• Let With Us
• Get in touch
• Find us on facebook
• together travel co. on twitter
• together travel co. on Instagram
• together travel co. on YouTube
• together travel co. on Pinterest
• together travel co. on TikTok
• Pet Friendly
• Weekend Breaks
• Near The Beach
• Hot Tub & Pool Breaks
• Accessible Travel
• Electric Vehicle Charging
• Unique Holiday Stays
• Short Stays
• Cycling Destinations in the UK
• On The Water
• Easter Breaks in the UK
• May Half Term
• Self-Catering Summer Holiday Cottages
• New Years Eve
• February Half Term
• Spring Breaks
• New to the Collection
• East Cheshire
• North Yorkshire
• West Cheshire
• North Cornwall
• North Devon
• South Cornwall
• South Devon
• Llŷn Peninsula North Wales
• John O'Groats North Highlands
• Lews Castle Outer Hebrides

Not sure where you're going? Have a look at our Map of Destinations and plan your perfect getaway.

Explore inspiring destinations .

Your Luxury Staycation Starts Together

Spend Summer in Cornwall

Find your south west summer escape

Lock in Your Summer Break

Reserve Your Top Pick Now

Weekends in North Wales

Book your getaway to Nature's Point

Inspiration

Meadow view - 2 bedroom lodge, apple lodge, the shepherds lodge-two, join the collection, earn from letting your property with together travel co..

Whether you already own your second home or are at the very start of your property let journey, we will work together to tailor a service suited to you and your property.

Host Your Event

Inspiring uk staycations.

Together Travel Co. is here to redefine what it means to holiday on home turf. In an increasingly fast-paced world where families are increasingly separated by distance, our exceptional holiday cottages in the UK provide an opportunity to  get together  in a beautiful home away from home.

Treat yourself and your four-legged friend to a pet-friendly staycation at one of our hand-picked luxury self-catering properties, selected for their unique character, stunning locations and immaculate standard.

From cosy, coastal cottages in North Wales to luxury lodges with log fires in North Yorkshire, Together Travel Co. are here to welcome you back to the Great British coast and countryside.