All systems go for new government travel policy

OCTOBER 1 is D-Day
for the Government’s
Travel Policy Framework,
and TMCs and government
departments say they’re ready
to implement the new policy
guidelines.
Departments have until
September 30 to adopt
Treasury’s recommendations
outlined by the framework,
which was released in April.
The recommendations
serve as guidelines, which
departments must incorporate
into their own policies. From
October 1, this new policy
needs to be enforced.
The purpose of the National
Treasury Policy Framework
is to create minimum norms
and standards for travellers
embarking on official business
trips both domestically and
internationally. The policy
stipulates guidelines on
traveller behaviour as well
as accommodation, air, and
car-rental guidelines and
allowances.
Government has further
also stipulated that all rates
offered to Government
for domestic air and land
arrangements must be nett
and non-commissionable.
This will include rates offered
by domestic airlines, hotels,
car-rental companies and
the informal accommodation
market e.g. guest houses,
bed and breakfast or similar
establishments.
Government department
officials have told TNW that
the departments are ready and
have all aligned their policies
to the new guidelines. “I can’t
foresee any issues. Everyone
is clear on what’s happening,”
one official told TNW.
“Most departments have
indeed aligned to the new
travel policy, and have included
the required cost-saving
measures, the stipulations
on advance bookings as well
as other guidelines,” agrees
Sailesh Parbhu, md of XL
Nexus Travel.
Another travel agent
explained that the onus was
on the traveller to book in
policy, whereas the TMC
would record exceptions.
“If the traveller decides to
book a five-star hotel instead
of the approved three-star
accommodation, the TMC
will record it and pass on the
information to the traveller’s
direct superior as well as to
the auditor general.”
The transitional period for
the Minimum Bid Specification
Requirements for TMCs will
also come to an end on
September 30. Travel agencies
and TMCs have had to adjust
their prices to take into
consideration the imposed and
required net pricing.
However, Sailesh says
only a handful of tenders
have been awarded in the
past few months since the
adjustment of rates. “Only
time will tell whether the
government departments
will award tenders solely on
price or whether they will take
into account efficiency and
professionalism as well.”