The following blog was contributed by Brett Trevena, one of CTM’s dedicated Business Analysis & Solutions Managers.
I remember a time early in my career when a client’s Australia and New Zealand travel programs were managed completely separately.
They had two different travel management companies, different technologies, different service levels, different contacts and no shared reporting.
At every quarterly review, it was a challenge trying to piece everything together.
It wasn’t until I helped a client unify their travel across Australia and New Zealand that I saw just how transformative it could be. With just one contract to manage and a single point of contact across both markets, the alignment process became far simpler—while still allowing the flexibility to address the unique nuances of each region.
Over the years, I’ve worked with businesses across both markets, as well as across Asia. It is now clearer than ever that in today’s world, it just makes sense to consolidate Australia and New Zealand under a single program with a single travel management company (TMC), Business Travel Portal and Online Booking Tool, delivering a 100% consistent user experience in both markets.
If you don’t currently consolidate your travel program across both markets, you should seriously consider this as the benefits make it worthwhile.
To kick things off, the biggest piece of advice I’d give is this: get the right people involved early. That means finance, procurement, travel arrangers, travel managers—even the travellers themselves. When everyone has a seat at the table, there’s more buy-in and far greater success in making consolidation stick.
So, what are the real benefits of consolidating your travel program across Australia and New Zealand? In my experience, there are plenty:
Centralised Booking
A single centralised booking tool reduces complexity and streamlines the booking process for both arrangers and travellers who can book for travellers in both locations, while being based in one location
Single Point of Contact
Whether it’s for customer service, booking changes, or special requests, having a single provider for both countries simplifies communication and speeds up decision-making.
Consolidated Data
A unified travel program gives you a clearer, end-to-end view of data across both countries. This makes it easier to track costs, identify trends, and make more informed decisions about future travel planning.
Standardised Experiences
Travellers can expect consistent service levels and amenities across both regions, including accommodation standards, airline preferences, and booking processes, building comfort and familiarity no matter where they’re travelling.
Easier Changes and Support
When plans change, a single program makes it quicker and easier to adjust itineraries and provide traveller support, which is especially helpful in high-pressure or time-sensitive situations.
Consistent Tax Reporting
Managing travel in both countries through a single system helps simplify tax reporting, reduces administrative effort, and ensures that any compliance issues are handled uniformly.
Regulatory Compliance
Both Australia and New Zealand have unique travel regulations (e.g., GST, air passenger duty). A consolidated approach supports consistent compliance across both regions, reducing risk.
Centralised Carbon Offset Programs
If sustainability is a priority, consolidating your travel program can help you implement, manage, and report on carbon offset initiatives more effectively across Australia and New Zealand.
Preferred Partnerships
Consolidation can allow you to deepen relationships with key suppliers in both markets, helping you unlock better rates, added benefits, and more flexible travel options.
Cross-Country Deals
Some vendors offer discounts or perks for travellers moving between both regions. A consolidated travel program may help you tap into these cross-border benefits.
Crisis Management
In the event of an unexpected disruption, having a consolidated program enables faster coordination, clearer communication, and more efficient crisis management across ANZ.
Travel Safety
With one provider and consistent safety protocols across both countries, it’s easier to ensure duty of care is met, and traveller wellbeing is prioritised at every step.
If I could give just one piece of advice to anyone still managing travel separately across Australia and New Zealand, it’s this:
Take the leap. The benefits are real. Engage your internal stakeholders early, and partner with a travel management company that knows how to guide you through it. It might just be the smartest move you can make for your travel program.
