Tech with the human touch

TRAVEL technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace in the business travel space and TMCs are striving to deliver seamless interactions for business travellers.

A good example of this is in relation to the increasing clamour in the industry over the

New Distribution Capability (NDC), which is set to provide richer content, additional ancillary offerings, status-related offers and create faster and easier ways for travellers to book corporate travel. In Oct, we announced that we helped key partners Serko, Qantas and Tramada produce the first live NDC booking via the Zeno and Qantas QDP platform.

So, what did the collaboration prove? It proves that no matter how smart or impressive new technology and innovation can

be, there will always be a need for the human touch factor. The teamwork by real people for the delivery of that new technology and how people use it. This was a great example of how experts in their respective fields in the travel industry work together in embracing new game-changing technology and then find the most effective and seamless way to share with the community its benefits in delivering better consumer choices.

While digital accessibility remains a major force in meeting customer needs, now more than ever a customer’s desire for authentic, personalised human interaction is at the forefront for clients and partners alike. After all, we human beings are hard-wired to seek out personal interactions.

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The travel policy is a vital tool to engage with and help manage traveller safety and stress

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Gary Reichenberg is the Director and sole owner of Connections Group of Companies, which includes CT Connections, one of Australia’s largest independently owned corporate travel management companies and other marketleading brands: Totem Group, Executive Edge Travel and The Departure Lounge.