10 Reasons to use CTP for Athletics Travel

An E&I 2-Minute Read, Featuring Collegiate Travel Planners (CTP)

CTP Athletics agents are very familiar with not only the rigorous regulations of the NCAA, but also the subtle culture of athletic programs. They handle all travel details such as airline group reservations, air charters, charter bus services, and hotel room block management - but also such complex items as shipping large equipment ahead of time; always negotiating team meeting space within the group hotel contract; and coordinating team dinners. CTP's Groups Department is well versed in handling groups of all sizes; from smaller groups of 8-15 people to larger groups with over 1,500 travelers. CTP's Group Specialists have an average of 17 years in the industry which allows them to ensure that all the details - scouting. contract negotiations, transportation, accommodations, technology, entertainment, travel documents, etc. - are all managed effectively. CTP assists with:
•    Travel program design and management
•    Air, hotel and ground transportation negotiation
•    Housing management
•    Group and Individual airline reservations and ticketing
•    Arrival/departure manifests, budgets and forecasts
•    Group travel management reports
•    Travel Insurance
•    24/7 service
•    Sustainability reporting 

10 Reasons to use CTP for athletic travel  ✈️

1) Flexible Booking Options
CTP is experienced in handling changes in team schedules, whether it's last-minute date shills, unexpected location changes or making the playoffs. It's relationships with airlines, hotels, and ground transportation services allow us to arrange travel plans that can meet the teams new requirements efficiently.

2) Group Travel Expertise
CTP's dedicated athletic group team specializes in managing athletic group travel, ensuring that entire teams can travel together, and that accommodations and transportation are coordinated to suit schedules and needs.

3) Dedicated Athletic Travel Agents
CTP assigns a dedicated athletic travel agent to each team, who is then responsible for managing all travel details. This coordinator acts as your single point of contact, available 24/7, to handle any issues or adjustments that may arise.

4) Advanced Itinerary Planning
CTP works closely with the coach to review the team's schedule, plan itineraries that factor in game times, practice sessions, and other critical engagements. CTP's aim is to ensure that travel time is optimized, and all logistics are streamlined for maximum convenience and performance.

5) Competitive Rates and Budget Management
Understanding the budget constraints often associated with collegiate sports, CTP negotiates the best possible rates for travel and accommodations, helping manage the overall cost without compromising on the quality or timeliness of services. With CTP's global buying power it can waive deposits with many airlines allowing teams to take advantage of booking up lo 11 months in advance.

6) Cost Savings Expertise
Through strategic partnerships, such as leveraging Southwest Airlines' group rate reduction checks, CTP saved one institution $25,000!

7) Unmatched Service During Travel Disruptions
CTP excels in mitigating disruptions that could impact critical team events. Here is one example: When mechanical Issues delayed a football team's flight, jeopardizing their game arrival, CTP's agents collaborated with the airline to delay the connecting flight by 120 minutes and coordinated with air control to extend airport hours, ensuring the team's timely arrival.

8) Duty of Care
CTP's platform supports your duty-of-care program by tracking travelers' locations via their travel itinerary, anywhere in the world. It provides comprehensive risk, safety, and health information for travel planning. Updated in real time and fully integrated with travel itineraries, CTP's interactive mapping tool provides an Instant picture of country-by-country and state-by-state (where applicable) risk levels via a color-coded map. View your travelers, drill down based on risk status or travel status, view itinerary details. or risk levels by country or slate. You can track the status of the flights "live" as well as communicate directly from the widget to travelers via SMS or email. When plotting travelers on a map, you can also source real-time itinerary updates in a single screen format. 

9) Account Management
Now more than ever you need a strategic account manager who will help you navigate the Intricacies of travel. With CTP, you will have a collaborator who will not only be the central point of contact. but will have access to the most relevant, reliable and timely Information to drive safety, productivity, and value in this new travel environment. They will help you with evolving border and health restrictions, the implementation of travel approval processes, sourcing the safest travel suppliers, and managing potential risks. CTP will act as an extension of your team, by designing and delivering a travel management program that meets your objectives. 

10) Specialized Support for Athletic Equipment Logistics
CTP's Athletics agents are well-versed in the nuances of team travel, from understanding aircraft requirements for oversized equipment like hockey gear or pole vaults to ensuring hotel parking space for trailers used by rowing teams. Senior agents receive direct training from major airlines on oversized baggage procedures, ensuring seamless coordination for even the most complex equipment needs. 

CTP is more than a travel management company- it is a strategic partner dedicated to delivering excellence for higher education institutions. Whether optimizing cost savings, ensuring seamless logistics, or going above and beyond to support travelers, CTP is committed to enabling collegiate athletic teams to focus on what mailers most: performance and success. 

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