Biz agents gaining more control
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Business travel agents are gaining more influence and control over business travel policies following new products and knowledge, according to a new report.
Those booking business travel are said to have gained an advantage thanks to new online booking tools and a focus on cost-saving, with 60% of those survey by Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) and Egencia saying they now had more control compared to a few years ago.
This mainly included controlling costs but also setting policies, driving compliance and ensuring travellers use tools and preferred suppliers, particularly through online booking channels.
The travel industry is also using mobile technology to communicate with travellers directly and while its adoption has been slow, the function has been pointed as an area of expertise to help agents in the future.
“Our study shows that the impact of technology, such as mobile devices, is reshaping both the travellers’ experience and travel manager’s role in simultaneously supporting traveller needs and corporate objectives,” said Christophe Peymirat, SVP EMEA and APAC at Egencia.
