More than 400 travel industry professionals came together for the 2024 ITM Autumn Conference at London’s Royal National Hotel to discuss emerging trends in the travel sector.
The ITM Autumn Conference provided valuable insights into how the travel industry can navigate current challenges and seize new opportunities by focusing on innovation, inclusivity, and fostering strong supplier relationships.
Key themes of the conference included sustainability, technology innovation, and inclusivity. Read on for our key takeaways…
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“Labour’s focus will be on strengthening relationships with EU countries”
Session: Travelling Through Change: A Political & Economic Outlook
Speaker: Ben Kentish, Presenter at LBC
Ben Kentish highlighted Labour’s evolving approach to international relations since being elected as the new UK government in July. The focus for Labour is on providing practical solutions for international movement within the EU, with one such initiative being the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa which will facilitate travel and work opportunities for young professionals in EU countries.
SilverDoor’s Comment: For business travellers, this shift may lead to a more predictable travel environment with fewer hurdles to corporate mobility between the UK and the EU. If Labour’s approach succeeds, travel and relocation management companies can expect fewer disruptions linked to visa and work permit delays.
“Cost and safety are the dual challenges facing corporate rail travel”
Session: Debate - Are We Grounded?
Speakers:
Samantha McKnight – Vice President, Client Solutions | CIBT Visas
Cedric Dufour – Head of B2B Sales | Trainline
James Dow – General Manager, London | Blacklane
Oliver Moore – Director of Travel Agency Sales, EMEA | Enterprise Mobility
Leonard Mattison – Travel Manager & Sustainability Lead | Barclays
Simon Andrews – Global Travel Operations Manager | Shell
Cristina Chimenti – Head of Global Travel | Sky
Although there can be financial and logistical challenges associated with adopting rail travel more widely, Simon Andrews emphasised the growing need for businesses to integrate rail travel into corporate mobility strategies as part of their sustainability goals. Samantha McKnight suggested a practical compromise, giving an example of “combining ground transport” — using a train for the majority of a long journey and a car for the final leg.
James Dow called for better risk management systems that protect traveller safety and productivity. He added that C-suite leaders put comfort and convenience as two of their top five priorities, which can both be compromised due to ‘travel threats’, such as:
- Transport delays or cancellations (e.g., due to weather, technical issues, or strikes)
- Security risks (e.g., political instability, terrorism, or crime in the destination)
- Health concerns (e.g., outbreaks of diseases or inadequate medical facilities)
- Transportation infrastructure issues (e.g., lack of reliable transport options or poor road conditions)
- Natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes, earthquakes, or floods)
These challenges not only disrupt schedules but also take a toll on employees' well-being and safety. While financial considerations are important, ensuring that business travellers are safe and travel with minimal stress is ultimately key to sustaining a successful travel programme.
SilverDoor’s Comment: An example of risk management is traveller tracking technology, which is a feature in our online booking tool (OBT). By integrating with crisis management platforms International SOS and Anvil, travel managers can view where all in-house guests are around the world and be alerted when travellers could be at risk during geopolitical events.
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“The accessible travel market is valued at $30 billion annually in the US and Europe alone.”
Session: Start Me Up
Speakers:
Gemma King VP of Global Corporate Travel | Omnicom
Katharina Riederer Co-Founder & CEO | eco.mio
Lioz Amar CEO & Founder | Travaxy
Mark Chamberlain CCO / CTO | Lokulus
Travel technology is evolving to better serve disabled travellers, yet significant gaps remain in this area. Lioz Amar explained that the absence of a universal standard for accessible accommodation leads to inconsistencies, negatively impacting travellers with disabilities.
With 1.2 billion people globally living with disabilities, the accessible travel market is valued at $30 billion annually in the US and Europe alone. This presents a huge opportunity for businesses to meet the demand for inclusive and accessible travel solutions.
SilverDoor’s Comment: As an accommodation provider, it's essential to offer a broad range of accessible options for business travellers. This includes apartments with accessible bathrooms, as well as one-bedroom units featuring furniture designed for inclusivity. Catering to the needs of this demographic not only presents a valuable business opportunity but also contributes to inclusive travel experiences.
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“Every industry has acronyms. But we have a problem. It's almost like mass confusion.”
Session: TMC Room 101
Speakers:
Jackie Clark Chief Commercial Officer | DiamondAir International
Adam Knights Regional Managing Director, Europe & Middle East | ATPI
Chris Galanty Global CEO Corporate Travel | Flight Centre Travel Group
Jason Geall Executive Vice President - Global SME | AMEX GBT
Chris Galanty expressed frustration over the overuse of jargon and acronyms within the travel industry, calling for clearer communication.
Business travellers, especially those new to corporate travel, benefit from straightforward language in travel policies, bookings, and communications. Simplifying industry jargon can make the travel process more accessible and reduce confusion.
“When you look at the subject of diversity, when you bring people together from different backgrounds and different experiences, you tend to yield much better results.”
Jason Geall highlighted the value of fostering diverse teams. Bringing together people from different backgrounds and experiences leads to better outcomes and innovation. Hiring candidates from outside the travel industry can foster this diversity, resulting in fresh perspectives that improve services and address traveller needs more effectively.
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What do you think about the discussions at the ITM Autumn Conference? How do you see these trends impacting your travel management strategies? Share your experiences and insights here.
