Travel Management Blog

In October, the Global Business Travel Market 2017-2021 report was published, with analysts forecasting the global business travel market to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 5.11% between 2017 and 2021. But what can TMCs do today, to reap the rewards of the growing industry in the future?

In previous blogs, we’ve covered the importance of the GDS to the travel industry and there can be no doubt it’s a vital spoke in the industry’s wheel. However, simply using a GDS is not the same as harnessing its full potential for your TMC. Here, we look at a few options for wringing the most out of your GDS and providing your travellers with the best possible experience.

Most travel managers are aware of the importance of traveller satisfaction by now. Satisfied business travellers are less likely to deviate from policy, and, according to research published last year by the GBTA: “Unsatisfied employees cost our workforces billions in lost productivity each year.” So far, so simple, but for travel managers “how” is often the hard part. Widespread traveller satisfaction can seem like the holy grail of travel management, always just beyond your grasp. So where do you start?

In recent years, you could be forgiven for thinking that the term ‘direct-booking’ strikes fear into the hearts of online travel agents everywhere. The tussle for dominance between hoteliers and OTAs has been presented as a fierce battle that's shaking the very core of the travel industry. However, a thorough examination of the facts reveals that it isn’t. Not even close. In fact, outside of the US at least, it’s actually more a playground spat than an epic war.

Unless you’re a doe-eyed debutante in the travel industry, chances are you’re well familiar with GDS and probably use one several times a day. The Global Distribution System (GDS) is a vital cog in the travel industry machine, but why is it so important to travel management companies and what does the future hold?