Breaking News at GBTA Conference in Europe

During the late November GBTA Conference 2017 Frankfurt in partnership with VDR, a dozen suppliers announced breaking industry news at a special Media Cocktail hour preceding the event.

Amadeus tackled small meetings and event management by announcing the integration of HRS’ meetago solution with Amadeus cytric Travel & Expense to help corporations better manage their hotel programme.

Carlson Wagonlit Travel unveiled stats from its annual CWT Connected Traveler Study revealing Millennials are much more sociable than older business travelers, and are also most concerned about their personal safety.

Concur highlighted new research conducted in partnership with the GBTA Foundation on the impact of business traveller booking behaviour and duty of care. They also announced new TripLink live integrations, new partnerships, and as product innovations as well.

Europcar Germany announced it will now offer rental car bookings via voice-operated devices Amazon Echo and Echo Show, completely eliminating the need to log in to a website to reserve a rental car.

FCM Travel Solutions announced the launch of FCM Connect – its new suite of technology tools, in particular the new Seeqa online booking tool as well as an Update on launch of Sam – FCM’s ground-breaking chatbot/AI based mobile app for business travellers – which is now live in the app store. FCM also announced its stand-alone operation in Germany is up an running with a new office in Berlin with capacity for 100 staff.

International SOS announced its Travel Risk Outlook for 2018 including a new Travel Risk Map.

Travel start-up JetClass announced it is opening private jet travel to the masses for the first time and reinventing the business class experience by enabling passengers to book seats on scheduled private jet flights across Europe for prices competing with business class tickets.

LOT Polish Airlines announced new routes for 2018 as well as the induction of new aircraft to its fleet in 2018, the B738MAX8 and B787-9.

Innovation Row exhibitor MagicStay announced the new version of Weezard, its apartment booking tool for travel managers.  The tool is available in SaaS mode, which allows for a travel policy, centralized payment management, workflow approval, and expense tracking.

The Marriott – Sheraton Offenbach Hotel announced the completion of an extensive modernization following a €3.2 million investment in the 221-room, four-star hotel to ensure it is prepared to meet the needs and challenges of tomorrow’s traveller.

Radius Travel announced the 2018 launch of its Radius Travel Meetings & Events, a division of Radius Travel that offers advanced, custom, and global meetings solutions. The new division will offer flexible global meetings solutions at every level, including strategic meetings management, end-to-end events, and specialized services.

Traveldoo announced a new mobile expense app designed to help to take the pain out of the expense re-claim process. Following extensive research and testing, the new app incorporates an engaging consumer-led look and feel, with greater automation for ease of use, quicker expense processing and reimbursement.