Following almost a year of Zoom meetings, now that a roadmap is in place for international travel to return, business travel is going to be top of the agenda for firms across the world.
As the industry returns there is an opportunity for the next breed of up-and-coming start-ups to assert their point of difference, as well as for established brands to re-establish trust with their key audiences. The travel management industry is becoming increasingly competitive so with an audience of potential customers now thinking about reviewing their existing travel arrangements following the pandemic, the coming months are going to be crucial for the industry’s leading players.
We shine a spotlight on five of the business travel firms that are set to play a key role helping businesses return to normal.
Click Travel
One of the fastest growing companies in the UK, Birmingham based Click Travel has been the recipient of several recent high-profile accolades, including a ranking on the Sunday Times Profit Track 100 and two awards at last year’s Business Travel Awards. Click’s travel management and booking platform aims to take not only the complexity but also some of the cost out of business travel. Backed by the BGF and working with clients such as TalkTalk and Red Bull the business’ most recent financial figures show they’re clearly travelling in the right direction under CEO Jill Palmer’s leadership and 2021 is sure to be a vital year for the firm’s continued growth.
TravelPerk
While flights around the world may have stopped throughout 2020, activity at TravelPerk certainly did not. Despite the restrictions, the travel management firm has acquired two businesses in the last year, Albatross and NextTravel, expanding its global footprint and broadening its service offering as we begin to move beyond the pandemic. Partnering with some of Europe’s hottest start-ups including SumUp, Revolut and Transferwise the business boast that they can offer firms not only a 30% reduction in their annual travel budget, but also an 80% reduction in time spent booking and organising travel.
TapTrip
Founded in 2018, TapTrip’s online platform has undergone a significant transformation throughout the pandemic. Previously servicing mainly travel management companies, having identified the damage the pandemic was going to wreak on the business travel industry, the start-up has now diversified and is beginning to focus on several specific verticals including marine and energy. The pace of innovation at the company is swift which has enabled them to grow significantly over the past year – a rarity within an industry decimated by COVID-19. This is just the beginning as the company now has exciting plans to branch out further, aiming to target other sectors including the worlds of sport and finance. It’s been an exciting year for the business and we look forward to seeing more over the coming months.
Silverdoor
Another firm offering an innovative booking experience for corporate travellers, Silverdoor is one of the market’s most trusted serviced apartments providers. With a twenty-year track-record, Silverdoor prides itself on its personal touch and provides each of its clients with a dedicated account management team who source and negotiate properties on their behalf. The firm have an international presence with offices in Lancaster, London, Singapore, Denver and Hyderabad and look after over 200,000 apartments around the world.
AltoVita
Operating internationally, AltoVita look after 50,000 private homes and 150,000 serviced apartments across Europe, North/South America and Asia. Founded by Vivi Cahyadi & Karolina Saviova, this start-up is aiming to use their founders’ experiences living around the world to revolutionise corporate travel, looking after the logistics and leaving business travellers free to maintain their lifestyles whilst abroad. The platform connects company travel managers with property management firms and aims to provide a personal alternative to the often hit-and-miss experiences provided by firms including AirBnB.
With the travel industry re-opening and more players vying for share in the sector than ever, get in touch today to discuss how we could help your brand set itself apart and stand out from your competitors.
