Eight years after the previous edition, Newsteca returns with a new guide on technologies for business travel.
Eight years in which everything has changed: while in 2017, the use of travel management tools was still the prerogative of a few forward-thinking companies, today, process automation is a key factor in streamlining workflows and optimizing costs. A 2024 study by GBTA (Global Business Travel Association) and Cvent revealed that 18% of corporate travel budgets are now allocated
to technology.
Additionally, one-third of the buyers surveyed (36%) expect this spending to increase over the year, a percentage that rises to 43% in Europe alone. And that’s not all: 29% of global businesses (36% in Europe) now have a full-time resource dedicated primarily to technology-related tasks, such as sourcing new digital tools, configuring booking and expense management solutions, and collecting and analyzing data.
But technology’s impact is felt across the entire industry: 61% of travel service providers, for instance, plan to increase investments in internal tools, while 56% are investing in traveler-facing solutions. Travel Management Companies (TMCs) are leading the way,
with 83% increasing spending on internal technology and 79% on traveler-facing solutions.
Embracing Artificial Intelligence
A glance at the solutions featured in this guide (75 of the best available in the Italian and international markets) is enough to see that one of the biggest innovations in business travel technology is the growing use of artificial intelligence. The GBTA study found that three-quarters of buyers (75%) are inclined to adopt an AI-powered chatbot to automatically respond to questions about their corporate travel programs.
And according to a study published this year by Amadeus, generative AI is a top priority for nearly half of surveyed companies (46%) for the coming year, surpassing any other technology. Moreover, 41% of travel companies now state they have the budget and resources necessary to implement generative AI.
But how can AI assist travelers? The Amadeus study highlights several applications: leading the way is digital assistance during booking (53%), followed by travel recommendations for activities and venues (48%), content generation (47%), supporting staff in enhancing customer service (45%), and collecting and summarizing post-trip feedback (45%).
Tech solutions for sustainability
In recent years, European Union regulations on environmental sustainability have required companies to reduce CO2 emissions. This also impacts corporate travel, as business trips – along with commuting – fall under Scope 3 emissions. For this reason, we have dedicated a chapter of our guide to tools that help companies calculate the environmental impact of business travel, facilitating the preparation of sustainability reports. Some solutions also offer CO2 emission offsetting systems.
A competitive edge in Mice
The guide also includes the best Italian and international products for event management: tools that simplify every organizational aspect, from supplier selection to attendee registration and reporting.
We’ll now leave you to your reading. Enjoy!
