Articles tagged “corporate travel”

Technology empowers travel managers to do a lot of things, but there's still a big opportunity for companies to get smarter about the real scope of their investment in business travel beyond the elements of individual trips.

Technology can empower meeting planners, but it can also lead to daunting integration problems with other aspects of corporate travel. Riding the fine line between solving problems and creating new ones remains an issue that won't be solved soon.

Talk about using incentives to change behavior. Is the threat of obsolescence due to new technology and startup business models enough to prompt incumbent travel management companies such as Egencia and Carlson Wagonlit to adapt?

Creating a truly global business travel service has been an ongoing effort among the biggest corporate travel giants. As the Chinese market continues to grow in scope and importance, those with an edge in Asia-Pacific are well-positioned for the future.

Now that Hogg Robinson Group is out of the picture because of a merger, Australia's Corporate Travel Management is one of the largest public corporate travel management companies in the world. It's setting its sights on expansion in the U.S., but entering the market has its challenges.

When we asked then-Expedia CEO Dara Khosrowshahi in 2016 whether Airbnb was going to eat his lunch, he responded that he was very well-nourished. But it now appears as though Airbnb has an insatiable appetite. Join us on a Skift Call March 13 to assess the Airbnb threat to hotels and online travel agencies.

Australia’s largest travel agent, Flight Centre, is not resting on its laurels after posting record revenues and strong profits. To ensure it stays on track, the group is shedding underperforming businesses, and dumping some of its leisure brands. It is also chasing growth in emerging business lines ranging from destination management to foreign exchange services.

Even big travel management companies, which usually resist change, are planning ahead to better anticipate traveler and travel manager needs. No one's quite sure when this more connected and insightful future will arrive, though.

A first-time business class flyer might love the dog-and-pony show United Airlines promised with its Polaris service. But your average frequent flyer prefers a more consistent experience, even if it's not as strong.

Both Qantas and Virgin Australia should have Wi-Fi available on all domestic flights by the end of 2018. While travelers want to stay connected, they probably won’t pay for Wi-Fi, but might choose flights on the basis of internet coverage, especially on longer routes.