KAYAK’s Innovative Enterprise Solution for Business Travel
KAYAK is revolutionizing the business travel sector with its new enterprise solution, KAYAK for Business. Senior Vice President Eva Fouquet highlights how the platform aims to resolve persistent industry challenges through interoperability across booking platforms and blockchain-based expense solutions.
Addressing Key Corporate Travel Pain Points
KAYAK for Business tackles several critical issues in corporate travel, including content management, servicing, data integration, and expense reporting. By partnering with major airlines and leveraging technologies like Blockskye Pay, KAYAK seeks to streamline the travel management process, enhancing the traveler experience and providing companies with robust compliance tools and data-driven decision-making capabilities.
Content Management and Enhanced Servicing
One significant challenge in corporate travel is content management. Companies require control over available flight options, ensuring access to all flights, prices, and extras based on loyalty status. KAYAK addresses this by integrating new APIs from major airlines, enabling direct ticket purchases. This integration allows travelers to book and manage flights through various channels, including the platform, agencies, airline websites, apps, and even airports.
By simplifying the booking process and offering a user-friendly experience, KAYAK meets the needs of both corporations and employees. The platform consolidates content from various sources into a seamless interface supported by a consistent blockchain data model, facilitating easy travel plan changes.
Blockchain-Based Expense Solutions
Expense management is a critical issue in corporate travel, with 43% of US travelers struggling with expense management during business trips. KAYAK’s partnership with Blockskye introduces Blockskye Pay, eliminating the need for credit cards when booking trips and simplifying expense reporting. This solution saves time and money by removing manual reporting and providing instant expense confirmation. It also promotes the use of unused tickets, helping companies avoid financial losses.
Enhancing Data Integration and Analytics
KAYAK’s platform emphasizes data integration, providing real-time tracking of travel plans and expenses for both companies and travelers. This capability transforms travel program management, enabling companies to move from descriptive analytics (analyzing past events) to prescriptive analytics (predicting and optimizing future events). Comprehensive data helps companies negotiate better deals with airlines and improve travel policy compliance.
Industry Shift and Competitive Landscape
KAYAK’s direct connections with major airlines signify an industry shift towards booking through direct channels, prioritizing loyal customers. KAYAK’s solution ensures compliance with duty of care, reporting, policy compliance, and other essential services. This trend is expected to continue, with users and suppliers favoring solutions that align with this strategy.
Real-time tracking and data integration capabilities enable companies to make informed decisions about their travel programs, improving employee satisfaction and compliance with corporate travel policies. KAYAK’s solution provides features such as access to all airline options, preferred seat selection, and luggage payment, ensuring a seamless experience for travelers.
KAYAK’s enterprise solution represents a significant advancement in corporate travel. By addressing pain points such as content management, servicing, data integration, and expense reporting, the platform streamlines travel management for companies and employees. The integration of blockchain-based expense solutions and enhanced data analytics further strengthens its appeal. KAYAK’s focus on providing a consumer-grade experience for business travelers is set to positively influence employee satisfaction and corporate travel policy compliance, positioning the company at the forefront of a transformative shift in business travel management.
Source: cointrust.com
