ALTOUR anticipates that AI-powered chatbots will soon replace traditional graphical user interfaces (GUIs) as the industry standard. These chatbots are poised to integrate into every stage of the business travel journey, from booking and disruption management to smart expense reporting and real-time travel insights.
“When adopted, AI-powered conversational commerce will enhance efficiency and effectiveness, and free up valuable time for our business travel clients as well as our travel advisors,” said Gabe Rizzi, ALTOUR President.
In addition, the physical travel journey is expected to become fully digitised, incorporating biometric technology for booking, check-ins, security clearance, flight boarding, rental car pickup and hotel access. This shift will replace analog processes and traditional customer service interactions, streamlining the traveler experience.
ALTOUR also predicts a shift in supplier partner negotiations, with corporations placing greater emphasis on access to full content and benefits tied to status. While competitive pricing on key routes will remain a priority, supplier partners will increasingly focus on enhancing the travel experience and seek to strengthen their relationships with their most valuable customers.
AI was a key theme at the recent ALTOUR Travel Together Global Forum, held in Orlando, Fla., in November. During the event, the company unveiled ALTOUR Intelligence, an AI-powered ecosystem set to redefine business travel management.
The five-day forum also marked the debut of ALTOUR’s unified global brand, consolidating teams and operations across more than 90 countries under a shared mission and vision.
“This new chapter for ALTOUR is about more than a rebrand,” said Rizzi in his opening remarks. “It’s a declaration to our clients, supplier partners, and colleagues that we are stronger, more innovative, and more connected than ever.”
Forum participants attended panels featuring airline and hotel partners who discussed key trends and strategies for adapting to evolving traveller needs. Stephen Barth, a professor at the University of Houston’s Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership, delivered a keynote address offering critical insights into navigating the challenges of business travel.
In a demonstration of its commitment to community, ALTOUR organised a charitable initiative during the forum. Participants created Thanksgiving gift baskets for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida and collectively donated over $4,000.
Tags:,Gabe Rizzi, ALTOUR