Travel management is standing on the precipice of change, the likes of which have never been seen in this industry.

Travel leaders need to start preparing now to ensure they have the right teams, technology and partners for this tectonic shift. The rate of change will accelerate, so brace yourselves.

Technology accelerates change

A shift to cloud-based technology and software as a service enables new entrants to develop at an unprecedented rate. No longer hindered by legacy architecture, technical teams can create new services faster and for a fraction of the cost using cloud-based technology and APIs. 

Technological innovation goes through cycles. After a period of stability for the last 10 to 15 years we are now entering the next phase of increasingly rapid change. Look out for new products or services but also entirely new business models and partnerships. 

New entrants, often risk-takers, are set to challenge industry norms and trial alternative business models. This poses a significant challenge to incumbents reluctant to embrace substantial change, instead focusing efforts on maximising the returns from existing models.

As suppliers strive for improved service and reduced costs, the industry braces for increased fragmentation, with the possibility of entirely new models leapfrogging existing technologies such as NDC.

 The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and access to sophisticated data is empowering travellers to self-serve, giving rise to a more informed decision-making process for corporate clients when selecting partners.

Airlines investing in direct connect technology with select corporate clients exemplify this trend. However, managing decentralised content poses a challenge for travel managers, emphasising the need for the right technology to maintain full visibility and control. 

How to future proof your travel programme:

Understand your needs. Every organisation has different business needs, travel requirements and processes. Understanding your business priorities, your travel trends and traveller profiles is the first step to ensure you get the right technology for your business travel programme. 

Focus on key requirements. Don’t be swayed by the latest trends that may not be right for your business. Focus on your key requirements and identify the partners who are going to fulfil your specific objectives. New technologies offer a lot more flexibility and the opportunity to mix and match is now a possibility. It’s not a case of one size fits all. Building a scalable solution that offers both flexibility and rapid deployments to fit exact requirements is now becoming a reality. 

Explore the marketplace. Take the time to see what technology is available and stay informed. Innovation can move at pace. Engage with peers and discuss your business requirements with industry professionals. Consider factors like cultural fit, scalability and cost. Not every service provider will be a good fit for your organisation. The ideal solution and partner will deliver on your objectives and provide quantifiable ROI. 

Leverage automation. Incorporating technology and automation into your organisation can significantly drive savings, improve efficiencies, and optimise processes. Look for solutions that automate routine tasks and provide actionable insights. The fast pace of new entrants and innovation is good for the industry and travel management, yet the pace of change can be uncomfortable. Adapting to the changes is key to survival. 

Adam Kerr is the Founder and CEO of Tripism, a company that uses Cloud and API technology to provide customised platforms to help organisations share and manage travel information.