BTN Op-Eds

Op-Ed: The Travel Industry's AI Problem Is Hype, Not TechBy Gabe Rizzi, President, Altour

While AI has the potential to enhance travel programs, buyers should ask tough questions about its real-world application and measurable value.... KEEP READING

Looking Isn't Free Anymore, Here's Who PaysBy Steve Clagg, founder and principal of Clagghaus Consulting

Part Two: The transaction fee is a fossil from the human-search era; search model cost is the new front. Don't let vendors profit off inefficiency.... KEEP READING

The End of the Free Look: AI is Killing Travel’s Oldest BargainBy Steve Clagg, founder and principle of Clagghaus Consulting

Part One: Looking was free. Booking paid for it. AI just voided that contract. Here's a glimpse of the economics you will not be able to unsee.... KEEP READING

In Crisis, Travel Programs Are as Strong as the Weakest LinkBy Michael Savicki, Chief Risk & Compliance Officer, Amex GBT

Major incidents such as the 2024 global CrowdStrike IT outage, the Heathrow Airport substation fire in 2025, and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East... KEEP READING

Consistency Under Pressure: How Executive and Event Travel Is Changing in 2026By Craig Chambers, Group CEO at TBR Global Chauffeuring

Business travel faces increasing disruptions from weather, geopolitical events and more complex global environments. Organizations require seek travel... KEEP READING

The Long Road to Emerald CityBy Kintela Managing Partner Martin Ferguson

Kintela's Martin Ferguson spins a fable of what could be on the horizon for managed travel, if the industry is able to avoid the Wicked Witch, which... KEEP READING

More AI, Less Trust and Business Travel’s Core ValueBy tClara founder and CEO Scott Gillespie

tClara founder and CEO Scott Gillespie knows everyone is talking about AI-powered travel tools. Meanwhile, he says, AI is shaping forces well beyond our... KEEP READING

2025’s Wild Ride Brings More for 2026By Caroline Strachan, CEO Festive Road

2025 was tumultuous for travel buying with tech, mergers, and shifting consumer expectations. Buyers need resilience, collaboration and focus to... KEEP READING

Do You Belong In an Open or Closed Travel Tech Garden?By Johnny Thorsen, Serko VP Strategic Business Development

OP-ED: The SAP-GBT partnership Complete has prompted debates in the managed travel industry about the "walled garden" vs. "open ecosystem" models. The... KEEP READING

From 3 A.M. Chaos to Strategic Calm: Harnessing AI in Business TravelBy Jo Lloyd

FCM Travel's Jo Lloyd on eschewing 'bright shiny object syndrome' for AI in favor of practical travel management applications.... KEEP READING

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