Data Will Drive 2015

Carlson Wagonlit Travel’s (CWT) seventh Travel Management Priorities report – the second in a two-part analysis of CWT’s annual travel manager survey – reveals that travel managers will put more emphasis on data and mobile technology to direct their travel programs in 2015, with a continued focus on cost-saving and traveller engagement.

CWT’s research highlights the top priority (at 63%) is leveraging travel data to build predictive analyses and benchmarks. This underlines that with better data visibility, travel managers are able to steer their travel programs towards their particular business objectives.

Subsequent top priorities include deploying a fare tracking and rebooking solution, which 62% of respondents agree is a high priority, while promoting mobile apps to increase travel efficiency on the go remains a key topic, in third place at 60%. CWT’s report underlines the continued importance of mobile technology, which will play a pivotal role for both travel managers and for travelers on the go.

In North America, respondents indicated their top 3 priorities were:

• Leveraging travel data to build predictive analyses and benchmarks (67%).
• Deploying fare tracking and rebooking solution (59%).
• Promoting mobile app to increase traveler efficiency on the go (58%).

David Moran, CWT’s executive vice-president with responsibility for global marketing & enterprise strategy, said: “Travel managers are looking to translate data into insights and promote mobile technology to improve traveler experience. Ultimately it’s about refining travel programs, and we’re working with clients to develop the best tools and benchmarking they need to make the most of their travel programs in 2015 and beyond.”

In December, CWT released the first part of the research, showing travel managers expect data security, the global economy and mobile technology to be the three trends most impacting their travel programs in 2015, indicating a clear influence on their priorities for the year ahead.

For more, go to http://www.carlsonwagonlit.com .