Business travel is a key growth driver for many companies. However, CFOs, travel managers and business travellers often disagree on budgets, destinations and priorities. The SAP Concur Global Business Travel Survey 2025 shows that without uniform objectives, transparent evaluations and clear communication, many travel programmes come to a standstill. In this article, you will learn how to future-proof your travel management programme with targeted stakeholder alignment and reporting.

1. why stakeholder alignment is crucial in travel management

In many companies, several roles influence business travel planning: CFOs control costs, travel managers control processes and business travellers contribute operational requirements. If there is a lack of coordination, conflicting objectives arise:

• CFOs demand savings through digital meetings, while travellers rely on personal contact.

• Travel managers often feel left out - but they can create real added value with guidelines and tools.

→ A coordinated travel programme is the only way to reconcile corporate objectives, employee needs and efficiency.

2. data-based decisions through professional reporting

According to the study, 66 % of travellers want more transparency about budgets and travel guidelines. At the same time, CFOs often underestimate the relevance of certain travel data. With professional reporting, you can:

• Identify expenditure and potential savings

• Traceable documentation of travel cost centres

• Make strategic decisions based on data

Tip: Integrated travel and expense systems such as SAP Concur, Cytric or Atlatos provide the necessary depth of data and overview.

3. internal communication as a success factor

The study shows: Business travellers often feel inadequately informed - about budgets, processes and decision-makers. Clear communication channels reduce frustration and improve the acceptance of travel policies:

• Regular info sessions or newsletters promote understanding of new tools and rules.

• Involving travellers in policy design increases compliance.

• A clear allocation of roles (e.g. who authorises what?) ensures efficiency.
  
  

Travel management needs more than just tools

Modern business travel programmes are more than just booking systems and reporting. They are a reflection of strategic corporate goals. Only when everyone involved - CFO, travel managers and business travellers - are pulling in the same direction can business travel function as a growth driver.