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May 02, 2018
Employees Demand Leisure Booking Experience
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Following a survey of corporate travellers and interviews with senior travel buyers and TMCs, the report Ð titled How TMCs are keeping up with the corporate traveller Ð highlights that 68 per cent of travellers book at least half of their travel outside approved tools, which EAN says affects policy compliance and duty of care. Rates and choice were the top reasons given for off-channel bookings, with 47 per cent of travellers claiming they can find better rates outside of approved tools. 38 per cent say theyÕve seen better prices on OTA sites, while 36 per cent comment that they have been unable to find desirable properties through their employersÕ official channels. Among those who book using a mix of official and external channels, 47 per cent say it would be easier to use their employersÕ recommended tools if they provided better rates and availability. Technology also plays a large part when it comes to keeping travellers on policy, as 40 per cent of survey respondents report a neutral or negative view of their companyÕs booking tool. Meanwhile, 46 per cent call for improved functionality, citing enhancements such as the ability to make changes to existing reservations (37 per cent) and new or better mobile booking features (31 per cent). A resounding 63 per cent per cent say they use online tools instead of contacting an agent, showing the need for TMCs to provide self-booking capabilities to keep travellers happy. Ariane Gorin, president of Expedia Partner Solutions, commented: ÒThe travel sector is seeing incredible tech innovation. In Expedia GroupÕs consumer business, teams are constantly testing and learning in order to improve and optimise our websites and apps, and business travellers expect the same seamless user experience they find in leisure travel. As a result, corporate tools that donÕt deliver lose out. ÒTMCs who partner with technology companies, like EAN, will be better positioned to succeed because they can offer a more consumer-like experience with improved choice of accommodations and the latest technology. ÒCorporate travel behaviour is evolving and for TMCs to keep up, they need to offer autonomy throughout the booking process, as well as an increasingly personalised service. By offering a better solution and more choice, business travellers will be more likely to book in policy, which will increase compliance and improve duty of care Ð major concerns in corporate travel today.Ó Copyright 2018 Panacea Publishing International Limited. All rights reserved.
From http://buyingbusinesstravel.com. By Molly Dyson. |
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