Balancing service and tech
Kalka notes an increase in RFPs in which buyers specify direct contracts with outside travel technology providers, with questions surrounding the TMC’s ability to integrate with them.
“We have started to see some RFPs with stated technology,” says Kalka. “As the TMC, we are seeing more of a need to be flexible based on direct contracts that corporations have. That certainly hasn’t lessened any expectation that the TMC brings technology to the table. But because there are technology options and more that you can contract directly and plug into your travel programme… we’ve seen a result [from that]. Years ago we weren’t being asked about a very specific…