On November 23rd, Milan hosted the most significant Italian B2B event in the business travel community, the Biztravel Forum. This year, Apartool had the privilege of participating in this gathering organized by Uvet, a space for reflection, conversation, and anticipation of trends to understand the scenarios of Business Travel in Italy. Indeed, Italy is a market that Apartool is actively working to consolidate its presence in, and events like this are crucial for connecting with industry experts and companies. Aleix de Castellar, our Chief Sales Officer, and Chiara Gianformaggio, Italian Market Manager, represented Apartool, participating in discussions on the future challenges of corporate travel.
At the Biz Travel Forum, technology took center stage, being the key tool for optimized business travel in terms of consumption, time, and expenses. It was emphasized that innovative solutions will enable companies to build customer loyalty through maximum customization of each proposal. Want to know more about expert opinions? Keep reading!
Technology revolutionizes consumption management in corporate travel Technology is changing how we approach business travel, allowing us to manage our consumption more intelligently. In the business travel sector, companies prioritize providers that not only offer solutions to reduce their carbon footprint but also integrate sustainable practices into their operations. According to a GBTA report, 88% of companies consider addressing climate change a priority when organizing corporate travel. As Jason Geall, Executive VP Global SME for Amex GBT at Amex GBT Connect, pointed out, "we are seeing that more and more clients, partners, and employees want to ensure they are working with and for responsible, sustainable, and inclusive organizations."
Business travel management at the speed of technology Technology is not only crucial for saving time but also streamlines processes, making business travel management more efficient. Booking accommodation, transportation, or other services is often a time-consuming process, from searching for options to comparing, negotiating rates, and booking. In this regard, choosing a good partner with advanced technology helps simplify the process and save time. Aleix de Castellar, CSO of Apartool, comments, emphasizing the importance of technology in this context: "In an increasingly digitized world, technology becomes the fundamental ally to optimize our processes and offer a faster service without sacrificing quality."
Cost optimization with technology In the current scenario of rising prices in corporate travel, technology emerges as the key to facing inflation. Finance departments and travel managers are challenged to effectively manage travel expenses. After a year of significant increases in business travel rates, a similar but more moderate dynamic is expected in the coming year. In this context, technology becomes the main ally to automate, centralize, and control corporate travel expenses.
Technology as the Formula for Personalization Business travel is undergoing a transformation driven by the integration of technology and artificial intelligence, going beyond improving the traveler's experience. This evolution redefines the relationships between travel companies and their customers, highlighting the ability to personalize suggestions with greater precision thanks to the intelligent use of user data. The organized arrangement of this information on platforms allows for creating detailed profiles, facilitating proposals tailored to guest needs. This personalization not only enhances the guest experience but is also positively valued by companies sending workers, ensuring their comfort. An example is the experience shared by Joao Silva, Country Manager Portugal of a Relocation Agency, who highlights our tailor-made service: "Accommodation options were very personalized according to each family's needs."
At Apartool, we share the Biz Travel Forum's vision of the importance of technology in the evolution of the corporate travel industry. A significant portion of our recent 5.5 million euros Series A investment will go towards boosting technological development with our Product & Technology team, consisting of more than 9 experts dedicated to improving our platform every day to make your day easier. Additionally, we agree that technology is essential for saving time in management; with Apartool, you'll go from 5 days to 2.2 days to find and book a corporate apartment.
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