Business travel is constantly growing and changing; however, how has technology made a stressful process a bit easier?
One of the biggest changes in business travel is how companies view it. Previously, most companies looked at travel and traveling for business as two separate and distinct things. However, that is not the case anymore, especially with the advent of nonstop connectivity. For example, now I can email from a plane exactly the same as I can from my office.

As such it is important to change how we look at business travel and see it as not just a step to a goal but an integral part of the business process. This is where technology and things such as AI can help make the process more efficient.

However, a strong travel culture is not only important for your business because it can make you more efficient. In fact, according to research by the Harvard Business Review, a strong company travel culture can make your customers more loyal by 50%, increase your market share by 43%, and improve your employee satisfaction by 35%!

AI and data science is completely changing and improving the business travel experience. More specifically, it is doing this by personalizing your travel. This helps reduce the amount of time wasted planning a trip. Now using AI, you can get all the small travel details right so that you can use your business trip most efficiently. For example, using your previous travel history, it can help book a hotel room that you would like, rent a car, and suggest places to eat during your trip.

One of the worst and most stressful things about business travel when arriving at a new destination is getting around. AI with GPS can solve this problem by either directing you around traffic when driving even though you have never been to the place before or even make suggestions on the quickest public transportation routes.

Additionally, AI helps keep you safe. This is especially important if you are in a new place or country where the norms are very different and you don’t know who to trust. By aggregating data, AI apps can help you make quick and informed decisions on what to do. While you could do all the research ahead of time, as a busy business traveller, do you even have the time?

While on business trips, you are there for your company. However, everyone knows that if you don’t take some personal time, you won’t be able to work at your best. AI can also help here by suggesting places to eat and things to do on your time off.

Lastly, technology allows you to aggregate, report, and optimize your business travel. Now rather than just telling your boss that your trip cost X amount, you can show them that it helped build X dollars of business while costing X% less than a regular business trip.