Event Director David Chapple from the Business Travel Show predicts the business travel trends for 2017
The world of business travel is constantly evolving, with new technology disrupting the status quo and changing the way travellers travel and how organisations book it for them. We asked David Chapple what trends he thinks are worth keeping an eye on in 2017.
- ‘Interrupters’!
The sharing economy matured massively in 2016, with both Uber and Airbnb launching products specifically for business travellers. Companies are now more confident about using alternative transport and accommodation providers in their travel programmes. In fact, according to the Business Travel Show annual buyer survey, 28% of travel buyers now include ‘interrupters’, compared to just 8% last year.
- Traveller safety and security
In these troubled times, good travel management isn’t just about finding the best price and saving money, it’s also about looking after your travellers’ safety and security when they’re out of the office and on the move – and that means knowing how to organise your risk management programme internally, whether you need to bring in an external scenario training expert and what technology will maximise your traveller’s protection before and during their trips.
- Getting your travellers to buy into your programme
Creating a well-crafted travel policy and then getting your travellers to buy into it should sit at the heart of your corporate travel programme. Without a policy – especially if you allow your travellers to book independently – it will be much harder for you to manage costs, negotiate better deals with your suppliers and monitor your travellers, which is essential to minimise risk.
- Travel technology
Whether it’s VR, chatbots, mobile apps, or online booking tools, technology has a massive impact on the way we buy and sell travel. At the Business Travel Show, you’ll find 15 ground-breaking start-ups showcasing innovation designed to disrupt and excite in the show’s Launchpad.
- ‘Travellercentricity’
Another big buzz word for 2017 is ‘travellercentricity’, which essentially means putting your travellers first and booking trips tailored to meet their needs. Being travellercentric can start with just listening to your travellers and being more flexible and responsive to their needs. After all, a happy traveller is a healthier, more productive and loyal employee.
Your 60-minute travel makeover from the Business Travel Show
Not everything about travel management is easy, but there are some very straightforward changes you can make within your organisation to yield instant savings, improve compliance and reduce traveller risk. At the Business Travel Show, you can find out everything you need to know about managing travel with confidence in one of the 60-minute Fundamentals sessions.
The show is the biggest business travel event in Europe. 7730 people attended in 2016, and more than 270 suppliers will be at the show in 2017, including airlines, global and independent hotels, rail companies, car pools, travel management companies and technology providers – all there to help you source smarter and score bigger savings.
So, if you book travel for your company, even if it’s just for a handful of travellers, put an hour or two aside now to visit the Business Travel Show. You’ll learn how to book trips more efficiently, make your budgets stretch further and offer your travellers more for less.
For more information and a free pass, register at businesstravelshow.com. The show takes place at Olympia London from 22-23 February 2017.
