Navigating Business Travel: Insights and Solutions from Recent Research

Understanding the Major Challenges in Business Travel

A recent survey targeting corporate travel managers in the U.S. and Canada sheds light on significant challenges they face during business travel, along with essential technological solutions to tackle these issues. Conducted by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) with the collaboration of Direct Travel, Spotnana, and Troop, the findings yield invaluable insights.

Identifying Key Friction Points

The research highlights that a staggering 57% of travel managers identify unprofiled guest travel bookings as a major source of friction. Additionally, 55% expressed concern over managing travel disruptions, while 50% pointed to inefficiencies linked with travel management company (TMC) servicing and event travel bookings. Increasing travel costs have also become a pressing challenge for over half (strong>53%) of surveyed managers.

Moreover, the ‘leakage’ in bookings outside managed channels, like TMCs or online booking tools (OBTs), remains rampant. A notable 67% of travel managers reported either an increase or stagnation in air travel leakage, while a whopping 81% observed similar trends in hotel bookings.

Slow Adoption of New Distribution Capability (NDC)

Despite its potential to enhance shopping experiences and drive costs down, NDC adoption is notably sluggish. About 37% of travel buyers reported their travel programs do not utilize NDC bookings. Additionally, 22% noted that NDC bookings make up less than 10% of their overall air bookings. This reluctance stems primarily from TMCs’ inadequacy in supporting NDC, supported by 54% of travel managers.

Openness to Change and Innovation Needs

The survey also indicated a remarkable 58% of travel buyers are considering changing their TMC within the next year. The most contentious issues revolved around inconsistent service quality (41%), inferior technology and user experience (36%), and slow issue resolution (32%). Respondents expressed a strong desire for proactive disruption management and better risk management capabilities. Notably, 63% of respondents yearned for improved integration between TMCs and OBTs, signifying a clear need for service enhancements.

Management of Smaller Meetings

Interestingly, more than half (53%) of respondents noted that smaller meetings—defined as those with fewer than 25 attendees—are often organized outside managed programs. This oversight can lead to various complications, such as cost inefficiencies and inadequate insights into return on investment.

Key Takeaways for the Travel Industry

This study not only underscores the challenges confronting the business travel sector but also illuminates pathways toward enhancing travel management efficiency. With a pressing call for innovation—especially in disruption management, NDC servicing, and the integration of TMCs and OBTs—the landscape of business travel is ripe for transformation.

Exploring Broader Insights

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Conclusion

In summary, the recent findings shed light on several critical aspects of business travel management. Identifying pain points such as unprofiled bookings, slow adoption of new technologies, and management of smaller gatherings can help streamline the travel process. The insights emphasize the importance of adapting innovative strategies that bolster efficiency and satisfaction in business travel management. With the broad spectrum of offerings at GetExperience—including everything from adventure activities to interactive cultural workshops—travelers can navigate their options more effectively, ensuring a smoother, stress-free experience every time they hit the road.