In a move to streamline and improve its corporate travel processes, Accor is turning to automation to tackle challenges associated with rate discrepancies in booking platforms. This initiative is directed at resolving issues such as “leakage,” where company employees bypass corporate booking tools in favour of online travel agencies due to visible discrepancies in negotiated rates.
Automation as a Solution
Accor’s strategy involves automating its entire corporate rate negotiation process using artificial intelligence. This approach is set to gather data from Accor’s various hotel branches and subsequently recommend pricing structures. The aim is to ensure that the negotiated rates appear accurately on booking platforms, thereby eliminating inconsistencies that drive employees to seek alternative booking options.
Industry-Wide Concern
This problem isn’t unique to Accor; it’s a widespread issue affecting many companies and hotel groups. A recent study by Spotnana, Direct Travel, Marriott, and the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) highlights that the primary reason employees bypass corporate tools is the availability of more competitive rates elsewhere. This trend underscores a significant area for improvement within the corporate travel booking sector.
Reporting based on coverage first published by skift.com.