• Two-thirds of agents worldwide plan coordinated investments in technology over the next year and plans to increase its technology investments by approximately 13 % over the next 12 months.
  
• 40% of leisure agents say that one of their top priorities in the next 12 months is to gain New Distribution Capability (NDC). NDC volumes have increased by a factor of five compared to 2022 and it clearly has the potential to be a game changer for agencies of all kinds in the coming years.
  
• Over the coming year, all agents together indicated that data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital payments will be the key technology priorities for their companies. From now until the next five years, Generative AI (Gen AI) and the Metaverse will also be at the center.

What does each of the travel sectors have in mind when they think about technology in 2024?

Online travel agencies (OTAs) are focused on search and creating a comprehensive one-stop shop to better serve travelers. Their competitive advantage will be enabled by providing access to the best content through contextualized and intuitive search. For this reason, OTAs are prioritizing user experience and innovation over margin improvements, with 72% of them investing in improved search starting today and another 22% planning to do so soon.

Over half of leisure agents turn to robotics to streamline manual processes. Smart retailing and the ability to differentiate and ”impress” their customers are more important than ever. And as they strive to offer creative, end-to-end journeys for their customers, leisure agents are seeking the best possible access to flights, hotels, insurance, mobility and experiences at the destination.

Business travel agencies (BTA) prioritize automation and digital payments. Virtual cards are high on the agenda for BTAs and are seen as one of the top areas to unlock productivity for 67% of agents, reducing the need to reconcile individual payments. There is also significant potential for self-service technology (e.g. airline ticket changes) to streamline business travel for both agents and travelers.

Johan Nordqvist, VP Airlines Nordics and Managing Director Amadeus Scandinavia, says: ”As the market grows, more sophisticated technology is available to help our industry continuously improve the travel experience. Amadeus is at the heart of the travel ecosystem and we are excited to help travel sellers achieve their goals. Together, we make travel better.

According to the press release.