What Is Travel Technology?
Just like online shopping is the answer to retail therapy, travel technology is the key to unlocking seamless and unforgettable travel experiences.
In the simplest terms, travel technology is all about harnessing the power of technology to streamline and enhance the planning, booking, and reconciliation of business trips.
Reece Oakes, CEO of Rennies BCD Travel, captured the essence of what travel technology means to the industry, “In a nutshell, it is the fusion of digital innovation with the invaluable touch of human expertise that not only enhances efficiency but also elevates the overall travel experience.”
We’ve touched upon some of the latest travel technology trends to help you understand what it’s all about and how the tech is used in travel.
How Content Aggregation
As new distribution technologies and models take shape, they affect the basic economics of the distribution chain and require technology investment from TMCs.
We access tools on the backend that create easy access to content for travellers. In tech speak, what it means is that we access inventory from non-GDS providers through direct integration (APIs) to ensure that you are always offered the best available options when booking. It’s that simple.
Online Booking Tools
When you think tech, you think speed – right? Quicker communication, better connections, GPS navigation, AI and the Internet of things. It’s probably safe to say at least one of these is on your mind when it comes to technology. As travel managers, it’s very much on ours too, specifically with respect to how we can put it to work for you to make travel better, safer and more enjoyable.
For us, reducing pain points and improving safety for our travellers is top of mind. That’s why we were the first TMC to introduce Online Booking Tools (OBTs) in South Africa. It empowers our travellers to search, book, and manage their travel with ease, instantly changing the way they travel forever. Quick online searches for hotels, airfares and ground travel options have been transformative and delivered a more personalised user experience. The advent of AI has since taken things up a notch with refined search results that are configured to personal preference. With the added benefit of managing itinerary changes and cancellations and consolidating travel bookings on a single platform, OBTs help companies with reporting and traveller tracking, making for happier people on the ground, in the air and the boardroom.
Reporting technology
Reporting functionality gives your business visibility into your travel spend and activity. A reporting tool helps businesses understand how much is being spent, where people are travelling, which hotel, ground or airline suppliers are being booked, and what different booking and buying behaviours are being used. This tool allows your business to review travel data at a big-picture level or in a more granular format to identify:
– where opportunities for future savings can be made
– what the key booking and buying trends are
– how well travellers are complying with your travel policy.
Travel APPS
The power of choice is in your hands – literally – and because we understand the need for immediate solutions, we offer our clients personalised solutions through the use of the TripSource Mobile App. Consider it your own personal pocket assistant.
This handy tool allows travellers to manage their entire trip in one place. With anytime access, they can easily access travel details, add meetings, sync details to itineraries and even share travel changes with friends and family. It can even help with compliance and spend management.
In the travel world, the human experience of trained agents remains irreplaceable. But as we embrace travel tech in all its glory, let’s agree that it is a positive game changer that empowers efficiency. Ultimately, it’s the blend of technology and the human touch that elevates the travel experience, helps us compete with business-to-consumer services, and frees us up to focus on what matters most – the traveller.
