Key Factors in Choosing Travel Technology Solutions

As a Product Manager at KAYAK for Business, I'm always keen to understand the evolving needs of the #CorporateTravel industry. After all, it's not just about building a tool; it's about solving real-world problems that businesses face every day. I recently came across an insightful GBTA survey focused on U.S.-based SMEs and their corporate travel pain points. The findings really struck a chord with me, especially when it comes to the most pressing challenges: 1. Rising Travel Costs 💸 Around 63% of companies listed this as their top pain point. It’s no surprise—business travel costs are climbing everywhere. But here's the thing: cutting travel costs isn't always an option. Industries like construction, for example, rely heavily on travel to get work done. So while cost management is crucial, businesses still need travel to succeed. 2. Understanding ROI/Measuring Success 📈 This one caught my attention. It's easy to assume a travel solution is saving money, but it’s a whole different ballgame when you need to measure the actual ROI. How do you truly know if the solution is working for you? A good tool should help businesses track this clearly and easily. 3. Tracking and Reporting 🔍 Other pain points mentioned include employee traveler tracking and lack of data/reporting. Without these insights, it’s hard to make informed decisions. A corporate travel tool can help fill this gap, simplifying the tracking process and providing the data needed for smarter decisions. What to Look for in a Corporate Travel Solution 🧐 When it comes to choosing the right tool, the survey highlighted some key factors: 1. Fees and Value – The top priority. Travel cost is the issue, so it only makes sense to find a tool that delivers clear value and transparent pricing. No one wants to deal with hidden fees or complex pricing structures. 2. Demonstrating ROI – A good solution should not just promise savings but prove them. Measuring ROI is key, and your tool should help you do this without the guesswork. 3. Options, Options, Options – Corporate travelers want choice. A great online booking tool should offer plenty of options to help employees make cost-effective, value-driven decisions. 💼✈️ The corporate travel landscape is complex, but understanding the pain points can make it easier to find the right solution. If you're interested in the full survey insights, check out the link in the comments. 👇

A company once approached me with a problem. They had invested in a custom-built platform, one that promised to handle everything from operations to customer management. Six months in, they were drowning in delays, bugs, and escalating costs. The worst part? A ready-made solution existed that could have done 80% of what they needed at a fraction of the cost. This isn’t just their story. I’ve seen countless companies overcomplicate tech decisions, chasing “custom” when “right fit” is what really matters. Here’s the framework I use to ensure businesses make the right call: 1. Start with business needs. Tech should serve the strategy, not the other way around. If a tool doesn’t align with your goals, it’s a liability, not an asset. 2. Explore existing solutions first. Custom-built isn’t always better. Off-the-shelf solutions save time, money, and effort; and they evolve faster with market needs. 3. Configure before customizing. Most platforms offer flexible configurations that get the job done without extra development. Use them. 4. Go custom only when necessary. If your challenge is truly unique, that’s when you build. But not before exhausting every smarter alternative. Beyond just picking a tool, I always factor in scalability, pricing models, and long-term maintenance. Because the wrong tech choice doesn’t just slow you down, it locks you in. Tech should be an accelerator, not an obstacle. The key is knowing when to adapt and when to build. How do you decide between custom and off-the-shelf solutions? #techsolutions #decisionmaking #customsoftware

✈️ US travel is about to face its biggest test in decades. With the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics set to bring millions of additional passengers to the US, airlines will need to rethink how they offer speed, efficiency, convenience, and security — for passengers, staff, and development teams alike. In this recent piece for Forbes Technology Council, I am exploring how a smart mix of ID scanning, mobile barcode scanning, and augmented reality can help airlines cope with this surge in an agile way while building stronger customer loyalty for the long term. The full article is here https://okt.to/WdntVG, but I’d like to reiterate this part: 1️⃣ Prioritize software solutions that can be easily integrated into existing systems — rather than build one from scratch — because development time will be reduced. Furthermore, seek solutions that are easy to use with fit-for-purpose UX/UI, as they’ll translate into shorter employee training. 2️⃣ Choose technologies with broad device compatibility. This will enable the option to either plug into existing devices or switch to lower-cost or higher-performance hardware. 3️⃣ Instead of having standalone solutions for scanning IDs, barcodes, and luggage tracing, go for one that does everything; it’ll be cheaper and easier to maintain. 4️⃣ Stick to secure, certified solutions that use on-device processing when dealing with passenger data. The decisions airlines make now will determine the true “winners” in the years to come.

Choosing the right #tech solution for your business can be overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be, provided you answer the following questions: 🔹 Does it solve your problem? First, you should identify the core challenge that you’re having. A tech solution can have many #features, but if it doesn’t solve your specific business problem, then it’s not the right fit for your organisation. So, look for tools that can solve your pain points in an efficient way. 🔹 Can it scale with you? The next aspect to consider is scalability. Will the solution you pick help grow your #business, or will it become obsolete in a few years? It should be flexible enough to adapt as your business needs evolve. Make sure it can be customised to future-proof your decision. 🔹 Is it user-friendly? Ease of use is another essential factor to consider. Even the most powerful #software tool is practically useless if your employees struggle using it. Therefore, go for a solution with an intuitive interface and which offers tech support and training.

Why Technology Decisions Are Getting Harder for Travel Agencies? Travel agencies today face a paradox. There have never been more technology platforms available. Yet choosing the right one has never been harder. Agencies today must evaluate decisions around: • Booking Engines • Supplier Connectivity • Mid-office systems • Back-office platforms • CRM tools • Payment integrations • and now AI capabilities Every vendor promises automation and growth. But the real challenge isn’t features. Its ecosystem fit. Technology decisions affect: • Operational workflows • Margins • Agent productivity • Supplier relationships • Long-term scalability Choosing the wrong combination can create years of operational friction. The smartest travel businesses don’t ask: “Which platform is best?” They ask: “Which platform architecture fits our business model?” Technology decisions in travel are no longer IT decisions. They are strategic business decisions. Curious to hear from travel professionals here: What has been the most difficult technology decision your agency has faced? #TravelTechnology #TravelAgents #TravelDistribution #TravelIndustry