ITM POLL REVEALS TOP BUYER WOES

CONCERNS about NDC and a growing sense of urgency due to sustainability legislation are top of the agenda for UK travel buyers, according to a ‘Pulse Check’ of ITM members unveiled at ITM's Conference in Brighton.

A survey in April of 100 corporate travel buyers, managers and heads of travel found 60% feel their TMC is not adapting to changes in the airline distribution landscape.

Highlighting worries about a potential increase in policy leakage, 90% of buyers surveyed said their travel policy does not allow travellers to book outside the TMC.

Meanwhile, sustainable travel was also found to be a top concern, with “a real sense of urgency due to the accelerated global focus on climate change and legislation that will tighten up organisations’ disclosure of carbon emissions”.

[ TMC NEWS BITES ]

>> BCD TRAVEL has opened a service centre in Colombo, Sri Lanka, for clients in Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore >> CWT has launched a meetings and events carbon footprint calculator combining travel, hotel stays, meeting space and F&B carbon information >> AMEX GBT has begun pilots and rollouts for NDC bookings for Air France and KLM NDC content across Neo and Egencia >> TRAVELPERK has opened a new headquarters in the 22@ Innovation District of Barcelona >> AGIITO has named Donna Fitzgerald as Interim CEO following the departure of James Parkhouse >> EASY AVENUES has joined Focus Travel Partnership

>> DIVERSITY TRAVEL has become the academic travel partner for the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands >>

GBTA OUTLOOK: THREE KEY DRIVERS FOR BUSINESS TRAVEL

THE SHIFT to NDC was identified as a key driver shaping the path ahead for the business travel industry, according to the latest GBTA Business Travel Outlook.

Just over eight in 10 buyers surveyed (81%) said they need more information on NDC and 50% do not feel their TMC has sufficient NDC information and/or is not sharing implementation plans.

The survey also found 60% of travel buyers say they do not support American Airlines’ decision to restrict a large chunk of its fares to NDC channels, compared with

36% of travel suppliers and TMCS.

Over half of buyers (53%) believe some airlines are trying to roll out NDC too quickly and have not given third-party intermediaries enough time to develop the required technology and processes.

But a third of buyers (29%) say intermediaries have had enough time and should be ready to handle and service NDC bookings.

The ongoing talent crisis and the challenge of improving traveller experience, particularly during disruption, were also identified as key drivers for the sector's future.