AI as a tool for designing better strategies

Emerging technologies such as automation and AI analytics are expected to continue to help managers adapt to change, improve risk management and make forecasting faster and more accurate.

Thanks to AI, more accurate and data-backed recommendations can be made, such as when is the ideal time to book a trip or hold a meeting, with the goal of minimizing costs.

The adoption of AI, automation and data analytics will help organizations bring better strategies to the table and find a greater sense of confidence amid a landscape of uncertainty.

Cost-cutting measures will continue

Continued caution in budgeting will generate conflicts with business travelers. According to a recent study by SAP Concur, 92% of corporate travelers say their career success depends on corporate travel, as it helps them strengthen client relationships and build new ones.

While in recent years the pandemic was the main limiting factor, employees consider travel a privilege, with 62% feeling they have not always had the same opportunities to travel as other employees in their company:

- 31% of LGBTQ+ business travelers say they do not have equal opportunities to travel because of their sexual orientation.

- 29% of Gen Z travelers feel they are missing out on opportunity due to their age.

- 23% of women claim they do not have equal opportunities due to gender.

Sustainability and NDC, travel program standards

The acceleration of the NDC, the new technical communication standard for distributing fares and rates, is a key element of the NDC;

The acceleration of NDC, the new technical standard for distributing airline fares and services, will address many of the industry's challenges and directly impact costs.

This is a key strategy for airlines and the market will have to adapt to what is expected to be a more personalized and efficient shopping experience.

In addition, corporate initiatives, such as improving sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), will continue to move into business travel programs, placing new responsibilities on travel managers.

The 'duty of care' will become more important than ever

While duty of care has always been an important and complex consideration, global uncertainty, climate change and the trend toward working from anywhere will require companies to treat it as a strategic priority.

The rise of online booking makes it increasingly difficult to know where travelers are and to manage their return home quickly in the event of an emergency.

In addition, research from SAP Concur reveals that nearly one in five employees have worked from overseas in the last 12 months without notifying their employers.

As climate change increases the likelihood of extreme events such as wildfires, floods or extreme air pollution in the future, the issue of duty of care will become increasingly relevant.