Business travel trends come and go. Is your travel policy keeping pace? Here’s how to prioritize travel trends program alignment.
Maybe your travel program was established ages ago. Your Travelers have done things the same way for years now. You think your travel program is running like a well-oiled machine—but could neglect of travel trends program alignment lead to Traveler dissatisfaction?
Business travel trends are driven by various factors. Obviously, world events like the COVID-19 pandemic impacted trends to a great degree. The development of new tech impacts trends as well. Organizational business travel spend and prioritization play a role, too.
However, business Travelers drive these trends just as much as all of the above. Failing to consider travel trends program alignment in your travel management can mean that business Travelers are left wanting more.
Key Takeaways:
- The biggest business travel trends that should be on your radar right now include the use of AI, NDC content, Traveler flexibility and inclusivity.
- You can increase Traveler satisfaction by providing a more flexible travel policy where possible, and personalizing options via NDC content and Traveler profiles.
- As Traveler demographics shift, inclusivity is vital for policy success.
- AI travel tools can make both Travel Managers’ and Travelers’ experiences more satisfactory.
- Seeking continual feedback from Travelers is key to understanding their needs and the trends that matter most to them.
The Biggest Business Travel Trends Right Now
Before we can look at ways to go about travel trends program alignment, it’s important to confirm the biggest trends impacting business travel right now.
AI, for example, continues to be a big topic of conversation. As AI usage becomes more and more commonplace, it deserves a spot in your arsenal of travel planning tech tools. Whether you’re using travel-specific, AI-powered tools oryou’re using more general, generative AI tools, doing so can streamline the travel booking process and traveling overall, for greater Traveler satisfaction and convenience.
Traveler flexibility continues to be a top priority, with Travelers demanding more options along every step in their journeys. Greater Traveler flexibility goes hand in hand with another trending business travel topic: inclusivity and diversity.
Finally, as NDC content continues to evolve, Travelers expect personalized recommendations and options based on Traveler profiles and other data—just like they might enjoy when booking leisure travel via their favorite aggregator or loyalty program.
How to Make Travel Trends Program Alignment Possible
When you look at these trends, you may immediately think that perhaps accounting for them in your travel program is going to be challenging. However, small changes make travel trends program alignment more than possible.
1. Meet Travelers halfway on flexibility.
Travelers may want more flexibility in their business travel, so that they can take advantage of the long-time, ever-persistent bleisure trend or simply so they can prioritize their own work-life balance. However, providing flexibility doesn’t necessarily mean allowing for a free-for-all booking and travel experience.
If your travel program is a bit rigid at the moment, consider meeting Travelers halfway on flexibility. Provide them with more options so they feel as if their need for flexibility is heard. At the same time, stress the importance of travel program compliance and Duty of Care, which can make areas of travel with less flexibility more tolerable.
Along the lines of providing more options, consider how you can use NDC content within your booking process, which may allow for more personalized options.
2. Take advantage of the AI tools that will work best for you.
Not every AI tool is going to be a great fit for every individual on your team, whether Travel Manager or Traveler. That said, with the wealth of AI-powered travel tools currently at your disposal, the likelihood of finding at least one that streamlines your processes is great.
Explore your options and consider how you might be able to use AI to coordinate travel, find travel deals, put together itineraries, search through complex data, organize and sort expenses and more.
It’s not just about making your job as a Travel Manager easier, though. If you can make your Travelers’ experiences easier and more convenient as well, they’ll thank you for it.
3. Ensure your travel program is as inclusive as possible.
The identity of the average business Traveler is changing, and your travel policies may need to change accordingly. Consider how Travelers in varying demographics may need certain accommodations or processes that differ from others.
Inclusivity is more important than ever to the modern workforce as a whole, and prioritizing it can lead to more satisfied, engaged, happier Travelers.
Not sure where to start in making your travel policy more inclusive? This may be a good time to collaborate with HR leaders to uncover what Travelers need most.
4. Regularly seek feedback.
In this vein, the best way to keep a finger on the pulse of not just business travel, but your own team’s business travel, is to open up the dialogue.
Regularly seek feedback from your Travelers about what they like about their travel program, what they dislike about their travel program and what changes they’d like to see in the near future. Encourage them to ask questions and provide as much information and clarity as possible.
Travel Trends Program Alignment Can Start Simple
In short, travel trends program alignment can start with just small, simple changes that ensure your travel program and policies meet the needs of the modern business Traveler. Whether your policy could be adjusted for flexibility, you could upgrade your travel technology or your travel program doesn’t meet the requirements of a diverse team, start the process with a conversation with your Travelers about their wants and needs. Make incremental changes to test their effectiveness and ensure adoption success.
