Tag: The Business Travel Show

Posted on

Travel buyers not impressed with new technology

Travel buyers are yet to be convinced by next generation technology, according to new Business Travel Show research.

More than half of the 134 European buyers polled believe that bots, Blockchain and alternative realities – such as augmented and virtual reality – will have minimal to no impact on the industry over the next three years. And just one fifth of buyers believe the technology will ‘significantly improve booking, saving time and money’ by 2022.

There appears to be marginally more faith in the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence (AI): 17 per cent believe it has the potential to ‘revolutionise’ the travel industry by 2022, one quarter feel it will ‘significantly enhance the traveller experience’ in that time, and just 39 per cent reckon it will have little or no impact.

Interestingly, the survey – which is part of the Business Travel Show’s ‘Travel 2022’ theme – also asked buyers how the industry will best survive the next three years. Despite the apparent nonchalance surrounding new technology, two thirds of those polled claim its survival will depend on innovation; 30 per cent believe it will be through evolution. Just 4 per cent think the sector needs a total reboot.

We Build Bots founder Paul Shepherd, who is taking part in a panel session about bots at the show, said: “When built and used correctly, chatbots can transform customer service, increase efficiencies and even help companies to save and make money. Multinational airlines and online travel sites would offer a competitive advantage if they were to offer a full integrated chatbot using AI and machine learning combined with customer service agent support in order to deliver a 24/7/365 intuitive service.”

Over the next three years, he said, “Natural Language Processing (NLP) will continue to improve, which means that chatbots will become easier and more intuitive to interact with. As well as this, the rise in voice will continue to have a huge impact. The possibilities of using voice are endless. Imagine asking your smart home device to check you into your next flight and receiving your boarding pass directly into your inbox. Or alternatively, ask it to search for a holiday that meets your needs, whether that be in school holidays, a particular temperature or less than a four-hour flight away. Chatbots use of voice is improving and evolving consistently and going forward, we’re sure to see huge developments in this space.”

The Business Travel Show is taking place on 20- 21 February 2019 at Olympia London.

Posted on

Buyers fear long haul brexit challenges

A Business Travel Show survey has revealed that Brexit is not only the biggest challenge facing buyers next year, it will continue to cause them problems as far ahead as 2022.

For the first time in four years, cost-cutting was knocked off the top spot of the list of forthcoming challenges to be replaced by Brexit, which shot up from fourth place –its home for the last two years. Airbus UK travel manager Geoff Allwright even admitted that Brexit is the one thing that ‘keeps him awake at night’. However, our poll of 134 European buyers showed that 65 per cent of travel managers don’t have a post-Brexit plan in place.

While pricing, the value of sterling, globalisation and technology also make the 2019 top ten, duty of care and traveller risk have dropped out of the chart completely after taking the second slot for the last two years.

In line with the Business Travel Show’s Travel 2022 theme for 2019, buyers were also asked what they expect to be the biggest challenges facing them in three years’ time. Similarly, to the 12-month forecast, Brexit and cost-cutting topped the table. Visas also made an appearance at number seven, mirroring the general concern about the impact that Brexit will have on the free and easy movement of people across borders.

“Whether for or against the UK leaving the Europe Union, the last few months have been particularly frustrating and baffling for both sides leaving everyone possibly even more uncertain about any potential outcomes than they were a year or two ago. Because of that, I think our poll captures the Zeitgeist perfectly and it doesn’t surprise me that –right now –buyers are more concerned about Brexit than cost cutting.”


Business Travel Show group event director David Chapple

Additionally, when asked the follow up question, “What will the biggest change in the way you buy/manage travel in the next 12 months be?” buyers responded as follows, with ‘no change’ firmly at number one.

The Business Travel Show is the leading event in Europe for corporate travel professionals, taking place 20-21 February 2019 at Olympia London. Buyers can register for a free visitor pass here.