Emerging mobile applications offer the promise of flexibility, connectivity and productivity for business travellers. As mobile technology evolves travel programmes will take advantage of new functionalities for improved communication and enhanced trip experience. Travellers will increasingly rely on their mobile devices while on the move and the need for internal cooperation between IT, HR and travel departments will become more obvious. The findings of this research identify how mobile technology is currently used, its benefits and its full potential when applied
to travel programmes. This is just at the beginning of a new way of managing corporate travel…
Emerging mobile applications offer the promise of flexibility, connectivity and productivity for business travellers. As mobile technology evolves travel programmes will take advantage of new functionalities for improved communication and enhanced trip experience. Travellers will increasingly rely on their mobile devices while on the move and the need for internal cooperation between IT, HR and travel departments will become more obvious. The findings of this research identify how mobile technology is currently used, its benefits and its full potential when applied to travel programmes. This is just at the beginning of a new way of managing corporate travel.
Many business travellers are using their mobile devices to stay connected on the road yet often these are not part of the managed travel programme. However, as mobile technologies evolve, new opportunities relevant to corporate travel are arising and mobile devices could soon play an integral role in corporations’ travel programmes.
Dramatic improvements in technology are transforming smartphones into multimedia devices that will also function as direction finders, paperless boarding passes, room keys, traveller security enhancers and payment methods. Travel suppliers and travel intermediaries are rapidly introducing and enhancing their services incorporating all these functionalities. It is clear that mobile technology is expected to have a major impact on how travel is booked, managed, and paid for.
Similar to the advent of online booking a decade ago, the enhanced web-browsing capabilities of mobile devices pose a significant opportunity to managed travel programmes. Mobile travel services will enable corporations to gain more control over traveller behaviour during the trip and bring more efficiencies into the travel process.
To date, most corporations have yet to embrace the mobile channel as part of their travel programmes but as mobile services and applications meet the needs of the corporate travel market, travel managers will need to consider how usage of mobile devices could be optimised as part of their travel policies.
To evaluate company-provided mobile device take-up, benefits, management and integration with the travel programme, ACTE and Amadeus undertook a study in March 2008. Through a survey and detailed interviews with corporate travel managers, travel suppliers, travel technology providers and mobile technology companies, the study concluded that the inclusion of fast-evolving mobile services within the travel programme will lead to increased traveller productivity convenience and safety as well as more efficient travel processes and cost savings for the company.
The report identifies how corporate travellers are currently using this technology and the role it could play in managed travel programmes. While there are still a lot of questions about what this role will be, travel managers will need to work closely with other departments like IT and HR to ensure that usage complies with company’s procurement and security standards within budget and thus leading to improved traveller support.
The report also shows that there is a gap to close between ‘usage’ of services and ‘perceived value’ so there is still a long way to go until corporations reap the full benefits of this technology. Technology needs to evolve a lot to improve mobile access to some applications.
How it will support corporate travellers will very much depend on market and infrastructure readiness but industry players need to be aware of the current trends and be ready to facilitate the process. When ready, we can be sure that adoption will thrive.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
