BCD Travel research team to focus on emerging tech impact on business travel industry

BCD Travel focuses research on impact of digital technologies on business travel in upcoming Inform series

UTRECHT, The Netherlands – July 26, 2018 – BCD Travel, a leading business travel management company, today announced the forthcoming publication of a series of reports aimed at helping companies take advantage of new and emerging technologies expected to profoundly change the travel industry.

The goal of Inform research is to help corporations with a series of simple-to-understand and relevant papers, think about and prepare to use emerging technologies to increase the impact of travel management programs on their businesses, regardless of their size.

Each paper in this “Inform” series will focus on the implication of blockchain, the Internet of Things, virtual reality, machine learning, chatbots and artificial intelligence on one of six key areas of corporate travel program management: sourcing, policy, communications, duty of care, payment & expense and performance management. The first paper on sourcing will be published Aug. 16, with the remaining five scheduled to be released over the following 12 months.

“We’re finding a knowledge gap within our industry when it comes to digital technology,” said Miriam Moscovici, BCD Travel’s Senior Director, Research and Corporate Innovation. “There’s no shortage of papers exploring the various emerging technologies, but few clearly explain the direct tie-in to managed travel. We’re approaching the Inform papers from a travel manager’s point of view.”

Added Inform co-author Natalia Tretyakevich: “The findings we present in the upcoming six-part series of reports are the result of extended and ongoing research. Our research into these topics included a survey of the relevant literature and extensive interviews with subject matter experts across the corporate travel discipline at BCD Travel and our consulting group, Advito.”

The Inform series is being published by BCD Travel’s Research and Intelligence team, most widely recognized for its work producing the travel management company’s annual Industry Forecast as well as white papers and research briefs. With their combined analytical skills and deep knowledge of the corporate travel industry, the team’s members are frequently cited as sources for industry news reports and invited to appear as speakers at industry events.

Meet the team behind the six-part series

Miriam Moscovici, Senior Director, Research and Corporate Innovation

As a former travel manager, Miriam focuses on product and service improvements that deliver value for companies of all sizes. Based in Denver, Colo., she leads research and introduces concepts aimed at engendering a culture of innovation throughout the organization.

Mike Eggleton, Senior Manager Analytics and Research

Based in the U.K., Mike served as lead author of the Inform report series. His areas of expertise include business strategy and network planning, competitor analysis, airline strategy and economics, market analysis, and demand forecasting.

Natalia Tretyakevich, Senior Manager Research and Intelligence

Based in Spain, Natalia served as Inform series co-author. She works on a variety of innovative research projects around product planning, corporate strategy and industry thought leadership, exploring a wide range of current business travel trends and topics.

To learn more about BCD’s Research & Intelligence team, as well as its other corporate travel experts, visit the company’s Speaker’s Bureau at www.bcdtravel.com/i-want-to/meet-our-experts/.

The first Inform report, “Emerging technology and travel management: Sourcing” will be available August 16. Among its topics explored: how blockchain can open the door to smart contracts as well as redemption and exchange of rewards points across hotel programs.

About BCD Travel

BCD Travel helps companies travel smart and achieve more. We drive program adoption, cost savings and talent retention through digital experiences that simplify business travel. Our 13,000 dedicated team members service clients in 170+ countries as we shape a sustainable future for business travel. For more information, visit www.bcdtravel.com.