Introducing the latest myCWT product and service enhancements
Building on our digital, omnichannel myCWT platform, our new products and services will simplify travel management for you and your employees – anytime, anywhere, anyhow.
Note: Featured services may not be available in your country at this time. Please reach out to your CWT representative for more details.
Hear from Chief Product Officer, Erica Antony as she shares the key product highlights of 2024, along with the key areas driving innovation.
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2040: Baseline, Boom or Bust
As we enter an era of rapid transformation and unprecedented challenges, it is essential for travel managers, meeting & event planners, and corporate decision-makers to look ahead and frame our current strategic thinking with a clear vision of the future. Business travel and meetings and events (M&E) are poised for significant change over the next decade and a half, driven by a complex interplay of sustainability goals, technological advancements, evolving work models, and geopolitical dynamics.
In this paper to mark the 10th anniversary of our Global Business Travel Forecast, we explore, for the first time, a long-term vision of the future and potential trajectories through three distinct scenarios, each offering insights into how these forces should affect policy-making, budgeting and priorities. By examining these scenarios, we can better understand the diverse possibilities that lie ahead and the strategic imperatives required to thrive in each potential future.
Based on trajectory data analysis and interviews with industry leaders, behaviorists and climate tech founders, this forward-looking approach enables us to anticipate changes, strengthen our strategies, and make informed decisions that align long-term objectives. It is through this lens of foresight and adaptability that we can build resilience, seize opportunities, and navigate the complexities of the future.
We invite you to reflect on the insights presented, and consider how your organization can prepare for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Together we can ensure that travel and meetings remain catalysts for growth, scalability and sustainable practices.
- Scenario development is both an art and a science
- Megatrends Shaping the Future of Business Travel, Meetings and Events
- Sustainability goals the new crux of corporate policy
- Technology Revolutionizes Travel Management
- Modern work models spark new travel patterns
- Changing demographics open doors to new opportunities
- Three Scenarios: Base case, boom and bust
- Future-proofing strategies
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CWT GBTA Global business travel forecast 2025
When it comes to pricing, global business travel has finally reached an enduring, higher baseline. Prices will continue to rise in 2025, but only moderately, so expect a period of normalized growth.
However, this pricing environment, one of marginal gains and price regularity, is fragile. Global leisure travel has now realized a lot of its pent-up demand, while corporate travel has been resurgent, with 2024 edging at preCovid levels.
There are many factors at play, whether its volatile oil prices, labor costs and constraints, inflationary pressures, and geopolitical factors. As this elevated baseline edges upwards, albeit marginally, travel budgets will come under increased scrutiny, especially as travel patterns and attitudes change.
It’s why business travel can’t be viewed in a silo, and the true value to an organization must be fully realized. This forecast can help with those calculations.
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Capitalize on emerging technologies in corporate travel
Technological advancements are accelerating at an unprecedented pace. How will emerging innovations like Generative AI, blockchain, and self-sovereign identity (SSI) transform corporate travel?
BTN and CWT probed global CEOs, travel managers, industry consultants and tech experts on the promises, questions, and expectations these innovations raise and how they are set to reshape traveler experience, cost control and service delivery in corporate travel and events.
Download and discover
- The technologies that will have the greatest impact on corporate travel in the next 2-5 years
- How these emerging technologies are poised to control costs, enhance service and security, and boost efficiency
- The critical challenges, opportunities, risks and roadblocks each innovation raises
- What travel managers, buyers and experts anticipate from these innovations
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CWT awarded Platinum status for responsible business by EcoVadis
CWT, the Business-to-Business-for-Employees (B2B4E) travel management platform, has been awarded Platinum status by EcoVadis, the independent corporate social responsibility (CSR) rating agency. As the fifth consecutive year of being rated in the top category for its responsible business practices, CWT remains in the top 1% of over 75,000 companies rated worldwide.
EcoVadis’ ratings evaluate companies against 21 CSR criteria, grouped into four broad themes including: Environment, Labor, Fair Business Practices, and Sustainable Procurement. CWT’s performance in each of these four themes over the last year was evaluated, assessing policies, actions, and results.
“It is an honor to receive EcoVadis’ top rating for the fifth consecutive year and have our commitment to responsible business recognized as a core tenet of our culture,” said Françoise Grumberg, CWT’s Vice-President, Global Responsible Business and Diversity & Inclusion.
“This year, EcoVadis highlighted our continuous momentum in each of the Responsible Business themes and our reinforced commitment to fight against climate change with our recent signing of the Science Based Targets (SBTs) Commitment Letter, alongside the introduction of ECO (Employee well-being, Climate impact and Organizational performance) to help better client’s travel programs for the good of their company, travelers and stakeholders, as well as for the greater good of our planet,” Grumberg concluded.
CWT has been regularly recognized for strong Responsible Business performance – receiving the EcoVadis gold award – the highest EcoVadis ranking at the time – three years consecutively, and thereafter the platinum award in 2020 – a new ranking introduced by EcoVadis that year.
CWT is a leading global partner in business travel, meetings, and events. Operating across six continents, we deliver sustainable, tailored solutions that help organizations connect, engage, and thrive in an evolving world. Our myCWT platform integrates advanced technology with human expertise to simplify travel and enhance traveler and attendee experiences. Extensive global coverage, seamless data integration, AI-driven analytics, and carbon-conscious travel tools enable businesses to optimize their travel and meetings programs while delivering measurable value.
With 150 years of industry experience and a deep commitment to partnership, CWT collaborates with clients to shape the future of business travel and events, making them more efficient, responsible, and impactful.
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Boosting morale with a green theme
Objective
A renowned pharma company wanted to organize a two-day internal event for 90 employees. As the pandemic limited travel, we suggested a virtual event with an emphasis on sustainability. After a long time without face-to-face contact, the aim of the event was to create an opportunity to reconnect as a team, reinforce company engagement and plan a future together. Despite the distance, it should convey a message of unity.
Solution
CWT Meetings & Events designed a virtual event that included a plenary and separate sessions, where the company shared recent results and updates from across the business. It concluded with a team building exercise that would remotely unite attendees over a common passion—food. A virtual cooking class tailored to them and based on sustainable values.
Attendees received a “mystery box” of ingredients to prepare a three course meal simultaneously with chef Luca Marchini, from his restaurant kitchen l’Erba del Re in Modena. Ingredients were seasonal, organic products, locally farmed and some coming from the chef’s garden. Containers and posting materials were made of recyclable packaging. The chef used only glass and porcelain dishes and no disposable materials.
Event planning was 100% paper free. All participants were asked about eating habits and food intolerances. The gluten free menu designed was further adapted to other needs, including lactose intolerants. To create some atmosphere, together with the box of ingredients, they received 100% cotton apron and chef’s hats made in Italy.
Results
The cooking class created a team spirit. Highlighting the similarities between working as a team to what happens in a kitchen. All ingredients mixed together led to the success of the dish. In the corporate world, the skills and experiences of the employees, united together, lead to achieving a common goal.
Quick facts
- Strengthened team camaraderie
- Aligned with company sustainable objectives
- Boosted employees’ morale during the pandemic
- Officially certified ISO 20121 Sustainable event by TUV Rheinland certifier
The menu
Some of you may be curious to know what they actually cooked…
First course:
Spiced potato soup with shallots and vegetablesMain course:
Lemon infused risotto with tomatoes and spinachDessert:
Chocolate cake with spiced custardBringing you a new limitless era to meetings and events
To find out more, contact us today.
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Money in the Jar: 3 things you could do with your unused and refundable ticket savings
With more companies making work-from-home a permanent arrangement, it’s important to not only implement programs to improve the work-from-home experience but also consider ways employees can meet face-to-face when it’s safe to do so.
As more of the global economy reopens, a surge in job vacancies has coincided with workers worldwide re-evaluating their lifestyles, post-pandemic. Retaining talent has therefore become a key priority for many companies.
In the UK, job vacancies in July surpassed one million for the first time. A study by Microsoft found that 41 percent of the global workforce is considering leaving their job this year.
It’s important to keep your workforce inspired but does your mind quickly shift to; where will I find the budget? How about using the savings from refundable tickets towards a work from home program and reusing available flight credits for upcoming trips?
Here are 3 things you could do with your savings:
- Bolster the professional development of your employees. With many certifications and trainings available online, you could encourage your employees to sign up as you are covering the associated fees by using the savings from your refundable tickets. This will help re-energize your employees and could even increase your employee retention rate.
- Use available flight credits for your next team meeting. With hundreds of tickets available due to COVID-19 ‘cancellations’, start planning to use them for your next team meeting. Check airline policies as expiration dates may have been extended and free name changes may now be permitted.
- Improve employee morale by offering incentive trips. The airfares can be taken care of by any available unused tickets and incidentals by your refundable tickets.
There’s a range of things you could do with your savings, but you first need the right reporting tools to manage your unused tickets effectively.
In addition to our existing unused ticket reporting, we have just released three new dashboards to make it easier for you to know how many unused tickets are available, have been exchanged, refunded, expired or are about to expire, the value of those tickets and to whom they belong to.
The sky is the limit when it comes to using your unused and refundable tickets. Find out more about how to save on unused flight tickets.
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CWT launches Amadeus follow the sun servicing
CWT,the Business-to-Business-for-Employees (B2B4E) travel management platform, today announces that it has successfully integrated Amadeus’ booking and fulfilment platform, Selling Platform Connect, into its European global servicing hubs, as part of its continued 2021 technological investment plans to achieve true follow the sun customer servicing capabilities.
This latest integration arms CWT counselors with unparalleled 24/7access to web-based tools and content, enabling them to offer the best travel and service solutions to global customers anywhere, anytime, and anyhow.
“Bringing Amadeus always-on capabilities to our clients, is a tribute to CWTs continued commitment to impeccable servicing of our global customers. Our partnership with a travel technology leader such as Amadeus allows us to ensure we are at the forefront of the changing travel environment,” said Patrick Andersen CWT President & Chief Commercial Officer.
“Our follow the sun concept is a capability that allows us to flow work through our network of global service locations as needed, eliminating the historic industry dilemma of out-of-hours servicing. It also allows CWT to better manage peaks, like weather incidents, by using the strength of our global network. Simply put, it is the means for delivering the best content, and providing a fully global, consistent service offering, to meet current and emerging customer requirements,” Andersen concluded.
“The uncertainty and complexity travelers have faced over the past 18 months has further elevated the importance of having access to professional, well-informed travel consultants. Amadeus is delighted to help CWT meet the needs of travelers through our global, always-on, Selling Platform Connect solution. It provides user friendly access to the most comprehensive travel content with accurate and timely information that enables travel professionals to efficiently deliver great service to business travelers anywhere in the world,” said Rajiv Rajian, Executive Vice President, Airlines and Travel Sellers, Americas.
Following the initial European Global Service Hub integration, CWT will ultimately implement Amadeus Selling Platform Connect to all other Global Servicing hubs that are part of its follow the sun network.
CWT is a leading global partner in business travel, meetings, and events. Operating across six continents, we deliver sustainable, tailored solutions that help organizations connect, engage, and thrive in an evolving world. Our myCWT platform integrates advanced technology with human expertise to simplify travel and enhance traveler and attendee experiences. Extensive global coverage, seamless data integration, AI-driven analytics, and carbon-conscious travel tools enable businesses to optimize their travel and meetings programs while delivering measurable value.
With 150 years of industry experience and a deep commitment to partnership, CWT collaborates with clients to shape the future of business travel and events, making them more efficient, responsible, and impactful.
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Bamboozled? Here are 3 expert strategies to be productive at work
Getting work done is tough. Getting work done when there’s a pandemic happening is even harder. Even for those who haven’t had to adjust to hybrid working or been plunged back into a lockdown, it can be a struggle to stay on top. Here are some tips from experts.
Use trapped time to work out big ideas
“Most people have lost the ability to go deep—spending their days instead in a frantic blur of e-mail and social media, not even realizing there’s a better way,” says Cal Newport, author of ‘Deep Work.’
Now that travel has picked up and some people are commuting into work, Newport advocates using time spent on the train, or tidying the kitchen to conceptualize an idea rather than check emails or browse Instagram.
Ask questions at the outset
We often blame ourselves when we feel that we can’t accomplish a task. But even world leaders get imposter syndrome. Sometimes the culprit is a sub-par explanation or an assumption by the task giver that you’ll understand something they are more experienced in. As soon as you receive an instruction, get clear on the goal of the project asking as many questions as possible upfront. If you learn by doing, ask for handholding at the start so that you can take it forward alone. If you have competing priorities, ask which should be eliminated, streamlined or postponed to accommodate a new task.
Try the 80/20 rule
The 80/20 rule known as the Pareto principle came from the 19th century Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto who discovered the principle after noting that 80% of the land in Italy was owned by 20% of the population,
At its core, it means that 80% of effects come from 20% of causes. In practice, focus on the small things that give you the biggest results.
How to 80/20 your work: Make a list of the 10 things you spend the most time on, choose the two that drive your results and plan to do more of those. Now look at the others. Eliminate them, automate or outsource what you can. Press pause on the rest or file under ‘future projects.’
To take the legwork out of planning and research, check for up-to-date travel requirements and book a venue for your next small meeting ahead of time.
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Peruvian Incentive: Decadent chocolate-themed adventure
Objective
A renowned French chocolatier wanted to take 60 employees and pastry chef/confectioner clients on a journey into the heart of artisanal chocolate production country—Peru. The once-in-a-lifetime experience aimed to reinforce employees’ company pride, build business-to-business client loyalty and create camaraderie among all involved.
Solution
CWT Meetings & Events designed an incentive event that would unite attendees over a common passion—chocolate— and offer educational and team building opportunities.
At the La Quemazon cacao cooperative, attendees learned about farming from the people who cultivate the cocoa used in the chocolatier’s products.
The group later spent time relaxing and exploring the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, the Incan capital of Cuzco, the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the historic capital of Lima.
Results
The event accomplished the client’s objectives: it strengthened the company’s brand image and loyalty with clients, who saw the quality of its raw ingredients firsthand.
It also enhanced employees’ relationships with those clients and growers, while reinforcing their company pride. With that kind of dedication, it’s no surprise that the French chocolatier ranks among the 20 best workplaces with more than 500 employees.
Lastly, it earned CWT Meetings & Events 2 prestigious Les Grands Prix KRéA awards.
Quick facts
- Strengthened corporate image as a renowned chocolate authority
- Increased client loyalty by providing a firsthand look at the origins of its raw ingredients
- Boosted employees’ knowledge and company pride through a once-in-a lifetime experience
- Created unique teambuilding opportunities and long-lasting camaraderie among attendees
- Earned 2 Les Grands Prix KRéA awards
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On the Rebound: How do you decide whether to travel for work?
These days, when someone asks what I do for work the next question invariably revolves around the future of the industry. Will business travel return? When and how much of it?
As anyone in travel knows, predictions from dinner-table futurists run the gamut from ‘we’ll be attending global conferences from our kitchen tables forevermore’ to a belief that the revenge travel phenomenon will spread to business travel and live events, and all will come roaring back. Actual data shows volumes up in some countries and regions, and not in others – consistent with vaccine rollouts, basically.
But the pandemic has a way of fogging up the crystal ball. New concerns about the delta variant is likely to have an impact on demand. What does that mean for personal decision making? Changing what you can, accepting what you can’t and having the wisdom to know the difference is a pretty healthy approach at this juncture.
Uncertain and OK with it
The overwhelming view among many senior scientists is that coronavirus is here to stay and that changes in behavior will likely carry on after restrictions have been lifted. With vaccine drives well underway in many countries –about 40% of the world’s population has received at least one dose – the focus for many is on a cautious and careful return to life as normal.
Good hygiene, not mixing with people when we have symptoms and following regulations will become part of life. Persuading a client to sign a major contract, interviewing an important new hire or inspecting a site: Some things need to happen in natural environments and not on a screen. The decision to travel, therefore, is highly individual.
Should you still plan a trip?
I took an essential trip in between vaccine doses from London to an amber list country that required more pricey, precision-timed nasal swabs in four days than you’d wish on a mortal enemy. Was it worth it? Utterly.
Only travel can light the fire of possibility. An entire city laid out below as you come in to land, a hilarious billboard that warrants an Instagram story, sharing anecdotes with a cab driver – these are all experiences that are unquantifiable for their contribution to inspiration, connection and productivity.
If you have your best ideas in the shower, you have them tenfold in a shower on foreign soil. The key is to keep abreast of developments and book in policy, “It will be more important than ever to clients that their employees are booking within policy because it means that clients will know where their travelers are at any moment in time, as any changes or modifications to the itinerary are instantly available,” says CWT’s CEO Michelle McKinney-Frymire in CWT’s podcast Business Travel on the Fly, “with the global coverage and 24/7 service that a provider like CWT can offer, keeping bookings within a preferred channel means travelers can reach an agent wherever they are in the world for support.”
Search up-to-date information before you travel using CWT Travel Essentials.
Image credits: Adobe Stock
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CWT appoints Ian Cummings as Global Head of CWT Meetings & Events
CWT, the Business-to-Business-for-Employees (B2B4E) travel management platform, today announces the appointment of Ian Cummings as Global Head of CWT Meetings & Events, the award-winning global corporate meetings & events management service. Based in London, Ian will report to Niklas Andreen, CWT’s Chief Operating Officer and serve as a member of the Customer and Travel Experience Leadership Team, effective today, 1 September 2021.
“Ian has extensive experience leading organizations and a strong commercial business focus,” said Niklas Andreen, CWT President & Chief Operating Officer. “In his nine years with CWT, he has successfully handled every role given to him at country, regional and global levels, delivering tremendous client service and great results, and I look forward to seeing him take our meetings & events business to the next level, growing in importance as a key part of the overall CWT offering.”
“I am honoured and excited to take over the reins of CWT M&E and lead the next stage of our incredible journey,” said Ian Cummings. “M&E is a people business and I couldn’t be more proud of the team of professionals we have across our organisation, and the way we deliver value to our customers.”
Before joining CWT Meetings & Events in late 2012, Ian held successful MD, CEO & Regional Director roles at a range of service industry businesses, achieving substantial growth or profit turnarounds at major corporate or venture capital levels. His experience covers leadership roles with DHL, DX Business Direct, eCourier, Imparta, and Sensigrade Ltd and he is also an alumni of the Cranfield School of Management, INSEAD, and the University of Westminster.
CWT is a leading global partner in business travel, meetings, and events. Operating across six continents, we deliver sustainable, tailored solutions that help organizations connect, engage, and thrive in an evolving world. Our myCWT platform integrates advanced technology with human expertise to simplify travel and enhance traveler and attendee experiences. Extensive global coverage, seamless data integration, AI-driven analytics, and carbon-conscious travel tools enable businesses to optimize their travel and meetings programs while delivering measurable value.
With 150 years of industry experience and a deep commitment to partnership, CWT collaborates with clients to shape the future of business travel and events, making them more efficient, responsible, and impactful.
CWT Meetings & Events (M&E) is an award-winning global corporate meetings & events management service. Representing all industry sectors, CWT M&E delivers comprehensive live, virtual and hybrid program solutions for thousands of customers every year. Ranging from ongoing managed programs to end to end productions of some of the world’s largest and most complex global conferences, through to intimate incentive and teambuilding experiences.
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CWT appoints Bill Courtney as CFO
CWT, the Business-to-Business-for-Employees (B2B4E) travel management platform, today announces the appointment of Bill Courtney as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Based in North Carolina, Bill will report to Michelle McKinney Frymire, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CWT and serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team. Acting CFO, Courtney Mattson, will return to her former role as Global Treasurer and Deputy CFO. Both appointments are effective 1 September 2021.
“It is with tremendous delight that we welcome Bill to the CWT team as we look forward to our future growth and development, and the accelerating return to corporate travel globally,” said Michelle McKinney Frymire, CWT’s CEO. “In addition to Bill’s broad travel industry experience, he also brings exceptional commercial and leadership skills to the role, and I am very much looking forward to working with him again.”
“I am excited to be joining such a prestigious globally recognized company at this exciting inflection point in both its own history and that of the business travel industry,” added Bill.
Prior to his appointment, Bill held the position of CFO at Starkey Hearing Technologies. Before joining Starkey, he held senior global finance roles with Medtronic, Bank of America, Barclay’s Bank, Best Buy Co. Inc., and Delta Airlines. Bill is a graduate of Elon University and holds an MBA from Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh.
CWT is a leading global partner in business travel, meetings, and events. Operating across six continents, we deliver sustainable, tailored solutions that help organizations connect, engage, and thrive in an evolving world. Our myCWT platform integrates advanced technology with human expertise to simplify travel and enhance traveler and attendee experiences. Extensive global coverage, seamless data integration, AI-driven analytics, and carbon-conscious travel tools enable businesses to optimize their travel and meetings programs while delivering measurable value.
With 150 years of industry experience and a deep commitment to partnership, CWT collaborates with clients to shape the future of business travel and events, making them more efficient, responsible, and impactful.
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CWT appoints new VP of Enterprise Vertical Sales
CWT, the Business-to-Business-for-Employees (B2B4E) travel management platform, has appointed William “Bill” La Peer as Vice President of Enterprise Vertical Sales. In this role, Bill leads CWT’s strategy in winning new global accounts within the Fortune 500 financial services market across the Americas, APAC, EMEA, and LATAM while also supporting key client optimization and retention efforts with CWT’s industry-leading client portfolio for the niche market.
Based in Michigan, USA, Bill reports into Darren Toohey, Head of Global Sales, and is part of CWT’s global sales leadership team. Bill joins CWT with vast corporate travel experience having held several senior executive roles including SVP of Sales at BCD Travel, Chief Commercial/Operating Officer at Executive Travel and, most recently, Vice President of Global Corporate Solutions for industry leader Partnership Travel Consulting, or PTC.
“Given my varied industry experience over the last 25+ years, I’ve certainly known and respected CWT and many of its team members for a long time. It’s exciting to join the CWT team now and work together as we look past the pandemic to the return of productive business travel that helps our clients grow,” Bill shared.
Darren Toohey, CWT Head of Global Sales, agreed.“With the travel industry in recovery, CWT will continue to evolve and expand with cutting-edge solutions that empower our clients and their travelers. I am thrilled to have Bill join our sales team. His experience and knowledge are great assets and as we look to further expand our client base, Bill will be a strong contributor to those efforts.”
CWT is a leading global partner in business travel, meetings, and events. Operating across six continents, we deliver sustainable, tailored solutions that help organizations connect, engage, and thrive in an evolving world. Our myCWT platform integrates advanced technology with human expertise to simplify travel and enhance traveler and attendee experiences. Extensive global coverage, seamless data integration, AI-driven analytics, and carbon-conscious travel tools enable businesses to optimize their travel and meetings programs while delivering measurable value.
With 150 years of industry experience and a deep commitment to partnership, CWT collaborates with clients to shape the future of business travel and events, making them more efficient, responsible, and impactful.
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How embracing NDC benefits business travelers
NDC is a feature-rich way for airlines to share their product offering in their indirect distribution channels with more efficiency and flexibility while offering more relevant information to the traveler. It’s transforming the way the travel industry sells and buys flight related products. Corporations, business travel agencies and corporate travelers can all access this type of content through channels like Amadeus cytric Travel & Expense, and reap the benefits of more exclusive and personalized offers from airlines.
Here are three ways that corporations can leverage NDC to benefit business travelers.
1. Adapting to the needs of business travelers
NDC opens up a world of opportunities to make it easier for airlines to offer corporations the products and services that are just right for them and their travelers. For example, as a tall business traveler, wouldn’t it be convenient if the airline offer already included a seat with extra leg space? Or as a travel manager, the airline could negotiate bundles for certain groups of travelers that include lounge access and fast boarding? This would mean employees don’t have to book, and expense separately.
Ultimately, NDC allows airlines increased flexibility to define and customize bundles based on the unique needs of a corporation.
It’s important however that all of this new content does not come at the cost of other functionalities such as the ability to compare fares, servicing levels, or a higher cost. At Amadeus, our objective is to bring content via NDC into our self-booking and expense tool seamlessly so that the corporate traveler can easily compare flights and book the most suitable option.
We’re making sure that all NDC-enabled content developed by airlines and relevant to corporate travel programs, are available for corporations via NDC. Hence, no matter the content type or the source, corporations and their business travelers have access to a broad range of content, all in one place.
2. End-to-end integration
Arguably, the need for efficient servicing, either by the traveler or through a travel agency, has never been greater than in current times. As more NDC content becomes available, it’s important to ensure that any corporate traveler booking a trip via NDC can easily pick up the phone or drop a line to their travel agent to receive the same level of support as always.
This ensures travelers can not only shop and book NDC-piped content but also make any changes later, in line with their corporate policy. This includes changes, refunds and cancellations, as with any other type of booking. It ensures a good experience for the traveler and allows corporations to meet their duty of care commitments.
That’s why at Amadeus we are spending as much or more time and attention on post-booking capabilities, end-to-end integration and optimized workflow as we are on the initial booking, and prioritizing those capabilities with the greatest benefit to the traveler experience. Over time, we expect to expand and improve on these basic capabilities, leveraging the flexibility that NDC offers.
3. Filters and approval flows in line with corporate travel policy
With Amadeus, travel managers have visibility on the total cost of travel for offers via NDC, including those items that help them define granular policies. For example, by applying filters, the focus would be on the bundles and no longer on the unbundled travel items such as bags or class. Also, since the offers would be based on traveler categories instead of travel items, this could change the way policies are registered. This means travel managers can work with airlines to really narrow down on what they want, and sometimes more importantly what they don’t want, to ensure they have the right content that fits within their corporate policy.
But NDC is not an end goal. It’s the foundation for a broader industry vision toward other initiatives such as ONE Order, Dynamic Offers or One Identity.
But what really matters is that for corporations, we take care of the complexities of integration, so travel managers and business travelers can search, book and manage different airlines’ NDC and other content in an efficient way. With this, corporations are more likely to adopt NDC and corporate travelers are more likely to book these new airline offers.
Watch Amadeus’ Paul de Villiers, Senior VP, Global Accounts and CWT’s Erik Magnuson, VP, Product Management, Mobility & Payments discuss NDC and it’s role in business travel recovery here.
Image credits: Adobe Stock
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Group Travel: Can we realistically travel internationally to attend an event in 2021
After a pause of nearly 18 months caused by the pandemic, travel is slowly re-starting. Virtual meetings are giving way to hybrid events with small groups travelling locally to attend gatherings which are then broadcast to a wider audience virtually. People are starting to move again, particularly in the U.S., Europe and some parts of Asia. Individual business travelers are back on the road, sharing their first impressions of half-full airports on social media. That left us with a question related to group travel—can we realistically travel to attend an event? The answer is not a simple yes or no; it depends.
Crossing borders is not as simple as it used to be
Can your attendees travel to the country where you want to organize your event? With travel restrictions mandating COVID-19 testing or lengthy isolation periods in some countries, attendees may need to take expensive tests or quarantine. The lucky ones from countries with low level of infections may find it difficult to be re-admitted to their countries or follow long (and expensive) quarantine terms in ad-hoc accommodations.
My main suggestion to anybody planning an international event is to become familiar with travel requirements and evolution of the pandemic in the chosen destination. The country of origin of your travelers also needs to be taken into account. If requirements in the country where you are planning to host the event and the country of origin of travelers are mutually agreeable, it is the best choice. We recommend using CWT Travel Essentials, a tool that searches entry requirements per country and by country of origin.
Instability about airline schedule remains
As airlines are not back at full capacity, there are less flight options and even confirmed flights may cancel. Europe and Latin America have experienced up to 50% of flights changed or cancelled by the airline during the summer of 2021.
There are many reasons for cancellations. If airlines haven’t reached capacity for a particular flight, they may consolidate to operate just one aircraft. Or where there is opportunity to increase lift in a market, additional flights may be added and schedules adjusted. We are also seeing changes due to crew availability as many airlines haven’t fully recovered from the impact of the pandemic and are still calling back and re-training staff. In some countries, contact tracing is forcing self-isolation which also affects airline staff.
Group travel is much more than flights
There is another consequence of the pandemic. Downline services, such as car rentals, have been impacted. Rentals are booming, in particular in cities with a long tradition of events and conferences. If not booked in advance, you may not have rental car availability in cities, such as Hawaii, Las Vegas or Orlando.
Plan ahead but be flexible
Start planning your event soon. Airlines are trying to keep up with the return to travel and constant change in demand. We are also witnessing an increase in rail traffic in Europe and early planning will get you the best fares. With airlines amending cancellation terms, advance planning often comes with zero or limited cancellation costs. As ongoing uncertainty of travel restrictions due to the pandemic will remain, the added value of event agency experts taking care of your attendees will bring you assurances and increased confidence. We are best positioned to manage changes and cancellations.
Visit CWT Meetings & Events
Image credits: Adobe Stock