Tower Travel Management

Startup TravelBloc To Leverage Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence In Business Travel Marketplace For Small And Medium-Sized Firms

David Jonas

A startup that checks some of the buzzy boxes is looking to create a business travel marketplace without much of the traditional distribution infrastructure. TravelBloc will target the unmanaged and small and medium-sized business segments. It plans to enlist travel management companies for support and use a global distribution system, but direct connections to airlines…

The Future Of Travel Management Companies: Part Three, Emerging Leaner

Jay Campbell

Travel management companies are trying to make the most of a time when bookings remain feeble. In addition to staff right-sizing, relocating and retraining, some are trying new technology. A more efficient operation could improve margins. For some, that means accelerating artificial intelligence, which may shift client service propositions and performance measurement. An area of…

The Future Of Travel Management Companies: Part One, Staffing

Jay Campbell

“Green shoots” are nice but transaction counts for most travel management companies as of last week remained between 3 percent and 15 percent of last year’s levels. Emotionally, that is a million times better than cancellations outstripping bookings. TMCs are seeing gains every week. More than a dozen of their executives speaking with The Company…

Open To Continued Independence Or Partnerships, TravelBank Adds Features, Funding And A Food Client

Jay Campbell

TravelBank during the past few months added what sources said was a relatively small amount of new funding and GrubHub as a relatively big client. It also announced a rather large number of new and planned features. So what’s next? Will the startup go the way of Lola and Upside and seek the stability of…

What Southwest’s Expanded Distribution Means For Corporate Travel Buyers

David Jonas

The biggest news coinciding with GBTA’s convention this month was Southwest’s decision to list or expand participation in global distribution systems run by Amadeus and Travelport. Too long in the making for many, the airline by mid-2020 for the first time will accommodate “industry-standard processes” in those GDSs. That includes the ability to book, change,…

Tramada Adds SAP Concur Partnership, Eyes CTDs

Jay Campbell

[UPDATE, Oct., 2020: Corporate Travel Management acquired Tramada .”] Travel agency automation firm Tramada Systems has begun looking to ARC-accredited corporate travel departments for its next opportunities in North America. Partnering with the world’s leading expense and corporate booking company, SAP Concur, should help. Australia-based Tramada offers back office and related tools to travel management companies…

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