SAP Concur Fusion occurred in Las Vegas recently, and the Direct Travel team was in attendance – including our Vice President of Technology, Brianna Conway. Brianna spoke in a TMC Spotlight education session about the trends she is seeing in the industry, as well as how Direct Travel is helping customers meet both business and traveller demands in this ever-changing landscape. For those who were unable to attend in person but are eager to implement learnings from the event, here are our top takeaways from Fusion 2024. The Next Generation Gen-Z will soon make up the majority of the business tra ..read more

During the pandemic, growth in the corporate travel sphere was limited by a combination of factors such as border restrictions, supply chain constraints, and staffing shortages. Today, as the industry continues to bounce back and cater to an increasingly hybrid or remote workforce, business travel has evolved to be an even more integral part of company culture and connectivity. Even so, there are lingering concerns as major markets around the world face various stages of economic uncertainty. Experts predict a slow-growth year ahead, which may affect business operations. This can act ..read more

Our world is more technologically advanced and connected than ever before. Although this gives businesses the opportunity to become more productive and innovative, increased digital connectivity can also leave the door open to additional cybersecurity risks. By the end of 2024, the cost of cyber-attacks on the global economy is predicted to top $10.5 trillion. This reinforces just how critical it is to protect all sectors of a business from digital threats – including the organization’s travel program. Beyond the potential for financial loss, cybersecurity threats pose a risk to corporate ..read more

Those responsible for arranging business travel for small to mid-sized organizations can be accustomed to running their company’s travel program on their own. Often, organizing travel is merely one of their many areas of responsibility. As business needs evolve and grow, a trusted travel partner can help streamline travel management. Team members in this position may have considered working with a travel management company (TMC) before, but they might still be uncertain about what a TMC does and whether a managed travel program is a smart choice for their organization. Below are the questions ..read more

With a new year comes a renewed sense of potential and motivation for growth, and 2024 is no exception. Business travel spending has increased each year since 2020, and according to the Global Business Travel Association, nearly three-quarters of buyers predict that their travel budgets will hold steady or increase in 2024. Will it simply be a year of smooth sailing, or will some sectors experience their fair share of challenges? The Direct Travel team has compiled a 2024 Forecast that can be downloaded and shared with your team. It features trends, predictions, and actionable steps for t ..read more

Reliable access to responsive customer service is critical for those who manage ever-evolving travel programs. In a world where technology has created new ways to interact, travel managers should be able to lean on their trusted partners to provide elevated service and expertise regarding which communication tools make sense for their travel program. Gone are the days of single communication methods. Instead, businesses can benefit from working with a partner who customizes the relationship and provides them with a variety of options. This pairing of personalization and communication is p ..read more

Business travel continues to rebound in the post-pandemic era, and a majority of industry members believe that global travel is mostly or fully recovered. With that optimism came a “resetting” mindset within the travel industry this year. Organizations took a step back to analyze their travel programs, and in many cases that involved returning to the basics. Topics that focused on fundamentals like cost saving measures, policy tools, and procurement strategies were highly researched and sought after. As we collectively prepare for the new year, here are the top takeaways from our mos ..read more

Note: This article was originally published on ATPI.com by Pippa Ganderton, Product Director of ATPI Halo. We’ve republished these thoughts below, modified to address the needs of North American-based businesses. The New EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) makes sustainability a key focus for corporate travel programs within the European Union. While companies based outside the EU may not think this news applies to them, North American businesses can still be asked for this information if they are part of an EU company’s value chain. The United States also has plans to ..read more

One of the most effective ways a business can help protect its travellers is by having a clear risk management policy in place. When employees follow the procedures, the company is better equipped to identify potential threats, keep track of where team members are located, and communicate with them during critical moments. Although risk management tools and policies should be in place at the organizational level, there are also steps an individual traveller can take to protect themselves. Here are tips to share with your team to ensure they have smoother, safer, and more secure business trips ..read more

The process of selecting a new travel partner can often feel like ticking boxes on an overwhelming checklist: they must value customer service, offer the latest tools, have strong data analytics, and boast a proven track record within the industry – all while staying within budget. With these multiple priorities competing for attention, it may feel tempting to focus only on budget or technology and downplay the importance of a TMC’s level of care and service. However, the best travel management companies know it is critical to build authentic relationships with each organization and tailor tra ..read more