Travel Tech Welcomes The Innovators Of Tomorrow

In 1999, companies operating today, such as Booking Holdings and Expedia Group, were newcomers to the nascent online travel booking industry as the Internet gradually gained ground among consumers.

A small organization, the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), was formed to promote the expansion of Internet travel services and advocate its interests before legislators.

Today, Booking and Expedia are the two largest travel companies in the country, according to Travel Weekly's 2023 Power List. Travel Tech is now a $289 billion industry and, for the first time since its inception, it is expanding its membership categories to accommodate a new generation of pioneers.

"We look for all kinds of innovators in travel technology, knowing that 25 years ago Bookings and Expedias started with the same thing," said Laura Chadwick, CEO of Travel Tech.

Last week, Travel Tech launched an Advocate membership tier aimed at startups and small and medium-sized businesses (Associate and Executive categories already exist). At launch, four companies (Group Travel Odyssey, DCX Travel & Technology, Dream Guest and UCPlaces) came together under the Advocate tier.

Legislative priorities for travel technology

Laura Chadwick

Chadwick just celebrated its one-year anniversary at Travel Tech. During that time, the association submitted 14 comments to state agencies, worked with legislators to introduce bills beneficial to its members, rebranded and relaunched its website, and expanded its membership.

“I am very excited about the next chapter next year in the industry,” he said. "I'm a big advocate for professional associations and what they can do."

Travel Tech's legislative priorities include refunds to airlines and ways to make surcharges public on search pages. Chadwick said the Biden administration's crackdown on "waste" has been at the forefront. Travel Tech's primary goal is to provide a national standard for resort fee transparency.

Therefore, Chadwick said the association worked closely with the American Hotel & Lodging Association and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce to create the No Hidden Fees for Lodging Fees Act.

The FAA reauthorization bill is also a priority. Travel Tech has several questions about the bill, but the main one is the common goal with ASTA to include a “ticket agent” representative on the Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee.

"Because over the last ten years we have consistently sold 50% of all airline tickets," Chadwick said. “We regularly reach such a large number of consumers. "We believe we should have a say in this forum."

It appears this position will be added to the legislation, he said, which will be beneficial to both professional groups.

Artificial intelligence is on the horizon

Travel Tech will celebrate its 25th anniversary next year. Chadwick is planning an event at the Capitol to connect members and politicians. Its goal is National Travel and Tourism Week in May.

Chadwick also said that next year the industry will hear more from Travel Tech about artificial intelligence and its place in the industry.

“We think travel is a great use case for this technology,” he said, “and we'll talk about how it can be used in the most responsible way possible to keep people safe. travelers."

Travel Tech - Innovation in an Epidemic - Marjorie and Alex on TechLifeSkills with Tanma, episode 43