Business travelers using BCD Travel’s TripSource® platform now have access to voice-activated trip management on Amazon Alexa-enabled devices, including the Amazon Echo, Echo Plus, Echo Dot or any smartphone loaded with the Alexa app.
The new functionality, previewed at the Global Business Travel Association Convention in San Diego in August, lets travelers request specific details about upcoming trips. They can ask Alexa for arrival and departure dates and times, hotel information, the address for rental car pickup and more.
The addition of voice-enabled trip management expands the capabilities of TripSource beyond mobile and the web, elevating the traveler experience and making self-service trip management easier.
“We want to offer business travelers access to trip information using their favorite tools and devices wherever they are—the office, at home or on the go,” said Yannis Karmis, BCD’s senior vice president of Product Planning & Development. “Virtual voice technology gives us the opportunity to seamlessly integrate natural-language technologies into our TripSource platform and expand our self-service capabilities.”
The TripSource-Alexa combo enables customizable user options, such as the ability to expand itinerary access to others who use a shared Alexa device. For example, a spouse might request: “Alexa, ask TripSource when Dana’s flight is arriving.” The system recognizes “Dana” and provides the information.
The voice-activated functionality is available only in English and only where Amazon Alexa services are offered. In coming months, BCD will extend TripSource voice capabilities on Alexa and on other voice services such as Google Assistant and—in 2019—Apple’s Siri.
Learn more about TripSource innovation and recognition. And ask how BCD Travel solutions can help you improve traveler experiences and drive program savings.
