This specific initiative was developed by TAMS Technology as a collaborative grassroots effort between members from AMEX GBT, DVI, FCM Travel, Marco Polo Institute, Unlocked Data, and others.
TAMS announce that it has launched an online, interactive evaluator targeting travel managers and travelers to provide guidance on whether to physically travel or video conference virtually as companies ramp up efforts to get more employees on the road again thanks to global vaccination efforts.
A 30-minute accompanying webinar will be held at 11 am EST on Tuesday, April 13th.
Business travel has been crippled by COVID-19, although recovery looks promising as the world embarks on its largest mass vaccination campaign since polio. To inspire confidence in return to travel activities and help users navigate changing business practices during the pre-booking process, this evaluator asks the user questions focused on six pillars:
- Allowable – does your government and/or corporation permit travel to this location?
- Desirable – is travel appealing for this purpose?
- Advisable – is the reason for travel justified?
- Practical – do time requirements make travel a good use of time?
- Affordable – is travel within budget and reason?
- Sustainable – is travel in alignment with your environmental agenda?
The evaluator utilizes branching logic to steer users to one of four suggested outcomes:
- We suggest that you travel
- We suggest that you video conference
- We suggest that you consider a video conference over traveling
- We suggest that you conduct more research before deciding
It was produced by the TAMS Technology Committee to provide general industry guidance and to address considerations like border closures, quarantines, movement restrictions, cost, safety, traveler sentiment, and ROI per activity.
“There’s so much ambiguity and taboo around the act of travel this past year — let alone business travel — that it’s challenging to see a clear path forward,” said TAMS Technology co-chair, Peter Psaltakis. “But the business travel industry is starting to peek out of its cocoon and re-emerge into the world. Our team is hopeful this evaluator simplifies and adds value to the pre-trip decision making process.”
Lead architect on the project, Dan Raine of Unlocked Data, said: “Travel professionals must help their organizations navigate changing business practices and economic conditions. The industry has always been good at facilitating demand, but this evaluator encourages a change in mindset, where there is a need to both encourage demand where there is a reluctance to travel, and choke down demand where travel isn’t the right option for that meeting.”
This specific initiative was developed by TAMS Technology as a collaborative grassroots effort between members from AMEX GBT, DVI, FCM Travel, Marco Polo Institute, Unlocked Data, and others. TAMS Technology overall consists of members from dozens of organizations.
The TAMS Evaluator is proudly sponsored by Areka Consulting.
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She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
