Evolution of Corporate Travel Online Booking Tools
With the rise of AI in recent decades, technology-driven enterprises are discovering new methods to harness its potential. Manual operations have been reduced to a bare minimum and replaced with automation. The travel sector is no different. Whether small, medium, or large, organisations are looking for innovative methods to incorporate AI into their daily travel needs. Computers and artificial intelligence (AI) are now a formidable combination. One can not only schedule a trip, but also manage and analyse its expenses. AI is enabling systems to forecast business travel trends and plan expenditures accordingly. The emergence of corporate travel online booking tools is an exciting narrative that dates back to the pre-computer era.
Corporate Travel Online Booking Tools
1. Manual processes (pre-computer era)
Corporate travel management was a massive laborious task prior to the invention of computers and their widespread availability. Companies relied on travel firms’ rates and delegated their trips to them. The difficulty was that managing large-scale travel requirements would necessitate months of planning. They must request that travel agents handle bookings, gather receipts for all expenses, file and report manual expenses, and do a variety of other tasks. This would cause the unavoidable errors, which could diminish the total ROI of the trip.
2. Computer Reservation Systems (CRS) – 1970s
In the 1970s, the computer reservation system revolutionised the travel industry. Travel agents and businesses might use these booking systems to browse real-time inventory and prices and book based on their needs. They were able to obtain information regarding flights, hotels, automobile rentals, and other services.
3. The introduction of Global Distribution Systems (GDS) – 1980s
Global distribution systems, or GDS, were introduced in the 1980s, greatly simplifying the booking process. These systems functioned as a centralised platform, providing pricing and availability information for various travel stocks. They were available through CRSs, simplifying the planning and booking process for both corporations and travel brokers.
4. Online Booking Tools (1990s–2000s)
It is not inappropriate to refer to the Internet as a game changer. As the internet’s popularity grew in the 1990s and 2000s, a slew of technological firms emerged out of nowhere. By using the internet’s potential, they were able to provide flights, hotels, and transfers to consumers and clients via web-based interfaces. Everyone was able to book online without the need for third-party involvement.
5. Expense management and mobile accessibility (late 2000s–2010s)
As technology advanced, managing business travel expenses became a significant challenge. It was simple to use cost management platforms. However, extracting information from online booking tools and feeding it into cost management software quadrupled the workload. The procedure was mechanized by incorporating booking engines into popular cost management software. In the late 2000s, corporate travel management software began to include mobile applications, allowing travelers to manage bookings, receive real-time updates, and report costs while on the road.
6. Advanced Analytics and Reporting (2010s–Present)
The latest generation of corporate travel management software prioritizes analytics and reporting. Organizations benefit from advanced reporting tools that provide valuable insights into travel trends, expenses, and cost-saving potential. Travel administrators and agents can foresee industry trends to save unnecessary process costs and increase profitability and ROIs.
7. AI and Machine Learning (Present)
Combining artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) is a popular trend in business travel tools. These technologies provide predictive analytics, personalized recommendations, fraud detection, and dynamic policy adjustments, thereby improving the intelligence and efficiency of travel management.
8. Improved safety and risk management (Present)
In reaction to global events and the growing emphasis on traveler safety, modern travel systems include real-time risk assessment, emergency response, and crisis communication capabilities. These tools assist organisations in putting their employees’ well-being first.
9. Integration with HR and CRM systems (Currently)
The most recent corporate travel online booking tools attempts to integrate seamlessly with other business systems, such as human resources (HR) and customer relationship management (CRM). This integration improves data accuracy, offers a comprehensive perspective of staff information, and allows for a more linked organizational approach.
Paxes is a self-booking business travel online booking solution that uses cutting-edge technologies. The software allows easy booking, expense management, and business travel analysis.
