Despite the priority of safety and security for business travelers, few employers comprehensively vet the hotels they use. It’s time-consuming and expensive. Two new organizations are helping with the task, joining the longer-established Safehotels Alliance. Ugosafe hopes in September to launch its evaluation program covering Africa. It’s an initiative of Paris-area hospitality security company S2H…
The decision by Siemens to move all hotel sourcing to HRS isn’t only about improving the $101 billion industrial manufacturer’s lodging program. It supports a traveler-centric philosophy through flexibility and choice that’s also reflected in other areas like air travel and booking channels. Process efficiencies are a bonus. “This is not open booking by definition,”…
One of the first applications of blockchain to corporate travel is in the works at hotel distribution and contracting specialist HRS. Spurred in part by discussions with sourcing client Siemens, HRS is testing blockchain-powered smart contracts, allowing clients and hotels to negotiate rates that change based on environmental conditions. In another scenario, blockchain supports identity verification…
It’s clear that travel risk management is a top priority for travel management professionals (1, 2). Recent industry research, though, showed companies are at varying stages of preparedness. The demand is there. Company leaders, investors and regulators may insist on certain measures. Travelers are asking, too. One-quarter of the travel managers polled in April 2017 by…
Travel management’s top priority for a long time was cost control. Now, duty of care and traveler safety are front and center. Traveler satisfaction continues to rank a bit lower (1, 2). Nevertheless, corporate travelers seem to be a pretty satisfied bunch, at least according to 2017 industry research. It sounds counter-intuitive. Business travel is grueling. The list…
GBTA will consider “all forms of accommodations” for a forthcoming update to its hotel request for proposals template. Aiming to complete the update in time for 2019 rate negotiations, GBTA will establish a volunteer task force to determine which new elements to incorporate, according to an association official. Bringing home-sharing into the annual hotel RFP…
Many travel management companies and tech firms are working to process more of their clients’ hotel bookings. Continuing its push, Carlson Wagonlit Travel is rolling out a simplified rate aggregation system and using loyalty points as incentives. During a Wednesday interview, CWT president of hotels Scott Brennan said some clients in Europe that use the…
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