The research and intelligence team widely known for producing the BCD Travel Industry Forecast announced that it will soon launch a new report series, called Inform. Written with corporate travel managers in mind, the upcoming series will examine how digital technologies like blockchain, virtual reality and chatbots may affect six key areas of corporate travel program management: sourcing, policy, communications, duty of care, payment & expense and performance management.
BCD Travel’s Research and Intelligence team created Inform to fill a knowledge gap in the travel management industry, said Miriam Moscovici, BCD Travel’s Senior Director, Research and Corporate Innovation and leader of the team that produces the company’s annual Industry Forecast. The difference between this series and others on emerging technologies is that Inform clearly explains the technologies’ direct tie-in to managed travel, Moscovici said. That helps travel managers better think about and prepare to use new technologies to increase the impact of travel management programs on their businesses, regardless of their size.
The first paper on sourcing will be published August 16. Among the topics explored: how blockchain can open the door to smart contracts as well as redemption and exchange of rewards points across hotel programs. Five other reports are scheduled to be released in the following 12 months.
To learn more about the series, contact your account manager or email the research and intelligence team.