Increasing consumer reliance on smartphones as a travel tool has made travel management companies (TMCs) across the globe sit up, pay attention and adapt to the significant changes across the industry, sprouting a new type of travel specialist which Travelscene Corporate has coined ‘the matrix travel agent’.

Just as the Internet changed the way almost everything was done in the nineties, smartphones have achieved the same heady game-changer status, fundamentally changing habits and behaviours of consumers. And according to David Padman, General Manager of Travelscene Corporate, golden opportunities remain for TMCs to bridge the gap between smartphone technologies and users.

“Without doubt, smartphones have changed the way we travel. But corporate clients are still essentially looking for two simple solutions: speed and ease, no matter what happens. So it is vital for TMCs to stay current with their technologies and ensure a smooth transition for clients,” Mr Padman said.

“Welcome ‘the matrix travel agent’: the new wave specialist who has become the glue that brings together a travel solution for clients, linking smartphones, tablets, applications, booking systems, corporate travel policies – and keeping it all in line with clients’ business goals and objectives.”

“With tens of thousands of travel and travel-related applications currently available, and hundreds being added every week, clients are overwhelmed with what to use, how to use it and when to implement it to improve their journey, or their travel spend.”

“That’s where the matrix travel agent comes in. With so many tools and platforms now available, TMCs must translate the changes seamlessly, and demonstrate the smarts. The technologies themselves are creating changes in traveller behaviours, so it is now about how TMCs are dealing with these changes that matters.”

“The blueprint for the matrix travel agent lies in TMCs keeping abreast of the newest technologies, which has always been a number one priority for Travelscene Corporate agents. Our Member agencies are continuing to adapt and upgrade their systems so that new applications, which are being developed almost on a daily basis, can be plugged in immediately allowing their clients to hit the ground running.”

“The biggest value Travelscene Corporate can provide for our Members is assisting in delivering value to their clients. In the smartphone and tablet environment, this means looking to the future so that agents can keep one step ahead of the game – and we’ll keep working to find the right fit every time.”