The hospitality and travel industries are constantly changing, which makes your job as a corporate travel manager full of novel experiences. Your day is never the same and rarely dull.
One aspect of your role includes updating technology to the latest software and hardware on the market. These innovations are supposed to make the corporate travel booking process easier, but, of course, that doesn’t always happen.
Some “must-have” things are better left alone until they disappear, while others are full of helpful features. As you monitor the horizon for the best travel gadgets and software, consider embracing these three impressive technology pieces.
1. Better Platforms
What platform is your company using as its default booking site? If your corporate travel policy hasn’t been updated in the past few years, you might be using the modern-day version of the Stone Age.
Gone are the days of general input with results that only vaguely match your search requirements. The design of today’s platforms turns the focus to the user’s individual preferences for a more specific approach.
For years, it’s been easy to find a booking site that shows you the available hotels or flights in your area. It’s not quite as simple to find one that tailors the results using filters of features and amenities your company uses frequently, yet, it’s possible.
Customize Your Search With Filters That You Need
New booking platforms use the latest technology to make this happen. With so many nomadic corporate travelers, your booking site should let you narrow the results by work-related filters.
What’s important to your company’s travel planning workflow? Can the platform tailor your search for your particular requests, such as booking rooms in bulk or finding extended-stay lodging?
Chances are, there’s an app for that. If you haven’t found it yet, don’t give up.
Keep in mind that the platform you use may be through a third-party provider. Before you switch from direct booking to an outside company, find out if your business travel insurance covers the fees incurred by these sites if you need to cancel.
2. Touchless Travel
The world is settling into its post-COVID “new normal,” but the lessons learned aren’t going away. We need to be cautious about our health and safety.
As a travel manager, the more you can make your employee’s trip a contactless experience, the less risk you take on. The good news is that the industry was already going touchless before COVID, and it’s almost fully there now.
Contact-free steps in the travel process save time for the traveler and the business. You’ll see self-service kiosks at airports, shops, and restaurants. Contactless check-in is available at hotels everywhere.
Keyless entry using smartphone apps opens doors at Airbnbs and upscale lodging locations. Even checking out at a store can be touchless when you pay from your phone or scan your debit card.
The fewer opportunities for us to come into contact with touchpoints, the safer we all are. You can implement this into your travel policy by integrating contactless SMS communication, payment, and reminder software into your current workflow.
3. Health and Wellness Apps
Germ avoidance is one way to stay healthy. Another is to get physically and mentally fit.
Your corporate insurance company has probably put a strong focus on health and wellness through tech apps, and it’s in your best interest to embrace this change.
Some major corporations and insurances offer tech gadgets like Fitbits and smartwatches as an incentive to exercise and eat well. For the insurer, getting people to take better care of themselves cuts down on healthcare costs.
For your company, when your employees are in shape, they’re more likely to be productive, not call in sick, and increase profits. If you can find a way to get most of your staff on board with these apps when they’re traveling, it’s a win/win for you and them.
Conclusion
Your position as a travel manager puts you in the prime spot to drive change for the better for your employees.
Technology is supposed to be helpful, but sometimes it’s not. It’s up to you to weed through the innovations, find what works, and embrace changes like these three that are beneficial.
