What to Watch 2021

Expect Digital Health Passports to Raise Equity ConcernsBy Elizabeth West

At the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, BTN held a number of buyer-only forums that provided participants with a platform for dialogue unperturbed by commercial participation. We talked about where... KEEP READING

Miserable Telecommuters to Provide an Industry LifelineBy Chris Davis

Human resources directors the world over face quite the challenge in preparing their workforces for a return to their offices, whatever that may look like. Employee opinions on the safety, wisdom and... KEEP READING

Companies Will Leverage Pre-Trip Approval to Increase Business Travel FlexibilityBy SAP Concur Travel & Expense Technology Solutions Thought Leader Ralph Colunga

More companies will implement pre-trip approvals for business travel in 2021, as part of broader efforts to safeguard employees and reshape travel and expense policies.... KEEP READING

Touchless Tech Will Build Traveler ConfidenceBy Amadeus Head of Customer Solutions, Americas, Jay Richmond

When I think back to traveling for business at this time last year, hand sanitizer, personal space and the option of video calls versus a plane ride might have been on my list of nice-to-haves. A year... KEEP READING

Amid Upped Demand for Virtual, Mainstream Payment Players Will Seek Bigger RoleBy Adam Perrotta

Increased hygiene and safety concerns amid the Covid-19 pandemic have sparked a surge in demand for contactless payments, according to numerous recent polls. That large-scale shift in sentiment finally... KEEP READING

Airline Consolidation Likely, But Not ImmediateBy Michael B. Baker

There have been predictions of widespread airline consolidation since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, but don't expect 2021 to be the year that happens. As a best-case scenario, airlines this... KEEP READING

The Fate of Aviation Deserts in 2021By XO Head of Marketing Amanda Cohen

The economic pain and threatened futures of many small cities is a reality that existed prior to the pandemic. These areas suffered population declines and blows to their manufacturing base, driven by... KEEP READING

Top Business Travel Markets Will Reshuffle in 2021By Dawit Habtemariam

This year, Orlando, Fla., will be hosting the Global Business Travel Association's annual convention. As business travel slowly rebounds, expect populated cities in more "open" states like Texas and... KEEP READING

Corporate Travel Management Will Push Hotels to Prioritize SustainabilityBy HRS CEO Tobias Ragge

At a time of so much change in so many processes, there is undeniable momentum on the integration of sustainable practices and partners in travel management. While this trend is not necessarily new for... KEEP READING

Extended Stay Is Here to StayBy Donna M. Airoldi

Last year, extended-stay brands, particularly the economy and midscale segments, saw less dramatic declines in revenue per available room and occupancy than most traditional hotel brands. That trend... KEEP READING