Key Travel teams up with Action Against Hunger

25 June 2011 - Key Travel employees have voted for Action Against Hunger to be the travel management company’s official Charity of the Year. Throughout 2011 staff will rally together to raise awareness and vital funds for Action Against Hunger’s life saving work to fight child malnutrition in the world’s poorest countries.

We talked to Andy Speller,  Managing Director of Key Travel UK.

Can you tell us a bit about Key Travel?

Key Travel is a Travel Management Company dedicated exclusively to the not-for-profit sector. Since it was set-up in October 1980 we have been helping charities and voluntary sector organisations to make the most of their travel budgets.

We have worked with over 2,000 not-for-profit organisations, large and small, including Oxfam, Save the Children and World Vision, helping them to get to their destinations to carry out their valuable work in a safe and cost-effective way.

Why do you think Key Travel staff chose Action Against Hunger as their charity of the year?

Our staff spend their time working closely with charities and, as you might expect, are very passionate about the work that they do. Having a charity of the year that staff could channel their creativity and enthusiasm into supporting makes perfect sense. Every year we invite charities to apply to be our charity of the year, these are shortlisted and then put to a company-wide vote. This year Action Against Hunger came out on top.

As to the reasons for this, I think our staff are aware that the global economic recession has exacerbated the hardship experienced by vulnerable people, especially children, across the world. Action Against Hunger are engaged in some terrific work to fight child malnutrition and I think that our staff felt that this was work that could not be more urgent.

How are Key Travel staff going to support Action Against Hunger?

Our staff have an excellent track record for raising money for charity and I know that they are enthusiastic about applying themselves in support of this worthy cause. Some of them have wasted no time in putting together some ambitious fundraising schemes - for example a lady in our ‘Product Team’ will attempt a hike across the three highest peaks in Yorkshire this month to raise money for the charity. I’m looking forward to seeing what else they can come up with!

What are some of the challenges that charities face when organising travel?

 
Times are tough in the voluntary sector and charities are facing a dilemma as their travel costs rise. However, even in straitened economic times, travel remains a major part of charity expenditure. A recent survey of our customers found that 91 per cent plan to maintain or increase their travel spending. It is therefore important that organisations make the most of opportunities to keep costs down and get the most out of their travel budgets.

Another important consideration for charities working internationally is the need to operate with flexibility. Charities need to be able to move fast and respond to natural disasters and humanitarian crises. For this reason is it essential they are able to work with trusted partners that share their values and sense of purpose and can provide versatile travel solutions.

What can charities do to manage their travel budgets more effectively?

Initiating a travel policy and communicating this clearly to staff is absolutely vital. Such a policy should set out clearly which airlines and classes staff can book so that all travel spending can be monitored and evaluated. The policy should  also be communicated to all staff - after all, if they don’t know about it they can’t follow it!

Charities can also save on travel costs by making the most of charity rates. Special charity rates can offer increased flexibility at a reduced cost, increased baggage allowance and the ability to make amendments at no extra charge. These can make a huge difference to the many charities who frequently have to be ready to respond to international events at short notice.   

Lastly, charities are advised to make sure they know what they are getting. When booking travel independently online, what you see is not always what you get.  It is becoming common now for  some airlines to charge separate fees for things such as checked baggage, food and drink – a process known as unbundling. What seems on the surface like a winning fare might increase considerably as non-inclusive items are added.

What is your favourite travel destination?

A few years back I went on a mountain biking trek to Kazakhstan.  We went to the Khan Tengri mountains – a huge range with scenery not unlike the Alps yet much of it felt like pristine wilderness with the occasional nomadic horse herder for company.  It was a great experience.

If you could travel anywhere new in the world, where would it be?

I’d really like to spend some time in India.  It’s a beautiful country with a rich culture, and they are also mad on cricket so that would suit me fine!

To find out more about Key Travel, click here

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