EDITOR’S LETTER PAUL REVEL Machine learning


S THIS ISSUE’S COVER STORY FINDS (p92), all the signs so far indicate we’re no more likely to find that elusive stability in 2018 than we were last year. But alongside turbulent geopolitics, there is a myriad of subtle trends making managed travel a challenging and fluctuating environment. These are perhaps best summed up in the theme of Advantage’s


A


conference last year – ‘man and machine’. Buyers polled for this year’s Business Travel Show (p88) cited increasing use of tech – and keeping up with the latest advances – as key factors for 2018.


IN FACT, TECH’S GROWING ROLE in travel means some experts are saying buyers need to build effective ‘technology strategies’ (p82). And exciting advances in transport (p122) are predicted to have a big impact on the way we think about travel. But note that one of the sessions at our recent BBT Forum (p22) was titled ‘the human element’. Just as processes are becoming increasingly automated, with machine-learning and AI stepping into workflow tasks, at the same time the traveller is being put at the heart of policy. Several features in this issue – including one on aligning policy with overall objectives (p67) – find that employee satisfaction and engagement are important goals and means to success. It seems the ‘machines’ have been tasked with making business travel processes a better ‘consumer-grade’ experience for your lucky travellers. Of course, automation is also about saving money – back to that BT Show survey, which finds for (at least) the third year running that ‘cutting costs while maintaining quality’ is buyers’ No.1 concern. At BBT our job is to try and present this complex landscape in a clear and informative way. But to ensure we’re delivering what you want, we need your feedback. Please stay in touch – at BBT Forums, via our social media channels, commenting at buyingbusinesstravel.com or emailing us at editor@buyingbusinesstravel.com


meet the team!


Come and


on stand B462 at the Business Travel Show


The Panacea stand is home to BBT, sister title Business Traveller, and Mix Events Platform, so take the opportunity to meet the team and find out more… plus enjoy sampling the finest wines in the air!


Cellars in the Sky is the annual contest to find the world’s best airline wines and champagnes served in first and business class. More than 30 leading airlines enter and are blind- judged by top wine experts.


/BuyingBusinessTravel/ /groups/3209937 @BBT_online


Paul Revel, BBT Editor


Cellars in the Sky wine tastings:


Wednesday 21 February 13.00 – 14.00 and 15.00 – 16.00


Thursday 22 February 12.00 – 13.00 and 14.30 – 15.30


Visit us


BUYINGBUSINESSTRAVEL.COM


BBT January/February 2018


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