AI, Culture & Content: Smarter travel program decisions
It’s easy to get dazzled by shiny tech trends—but making smart travel program choices means more than just adopting the latest tools. Alissa Merlino, Senior Director of Global Solutions Engineering, shows how success comes from:
- Aligning your risk appetite with your TMC
- Making the right calls on travel content strategy
- Understanding AI’s layers to stay ahead
Alissa’s takeaway: “When you look at innovation plans and roadmaps, you want someone with the same risk appetite you have.”
Data that actually drives smarter travel programs
Too much tech, not enough clarity? In a world overflowing with travel tech, how do you decide what truly matters? Yannis Karmis, Senior Vice President, Product Planning & Development, boils it down to the essentials:
- An open platform that plays well with the best partners
- Data you can actually use—from point of sale to real-time analytics
Yannis’ takeaway: “Think about your data lifecycle—from the point of sale through reporting and analytics. Make sure the information is available quickly, in real time, with the level of detail you need to make business decisions.”
NDC Is now: What travel managers must know
NDC is changing how airlines deliver content. James Celani-Smith, Vice President, Global Distribution, explains why NDC matters now, the risks of ignoring it, and how BCD’s travel commerce platform keeps customers ahead. BCD already has 43 airlines fully connected and is processing hundreds of thousands of bookings.
James’ takeaway: The shift isn’t just coming—it’s here. And, travel managers can’t afford to ignore NDC.
Traveler safety, reimagined: Advito’s Traveler Security Program Assessment
Traveler safety isn’t negotiable. Christine Connolley, Senior Global Crisis Program Manager, explores how Advito’s Traveler Security Program Assessment (TSPA) strengthens risk management across 11 key areas. Their new Supplier Sourcing solution goes further—think custom RFPs and expert negotiation.
Christine’s takeaway: “There’s never been a better time to invest in safety.”
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