Marriott International recently introduced Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy, a travel management platform tailored for small-to-midsize businesses. This move is seen as a significant step in a segment that has been long awaiting transformation in the corporate travel landscape. The platform’s launch comes at a critical time as the industry is still recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, even before the pandemic hit, companies were showing interest in more flexible and efficient travel management solutions.
Market Need and Opportunity
Many small and midsize businesses have struggled to rebuild their in-house travel management teams to pre-pandemic levels. This gap has left them seeking innovative solutions to manage employee travel effectively without the need to hire additional staff. In identifying this need, Marriott International aims to capitalize on the underserved segment of small-to-midsize businesses and gain market share by offering a comprehensive global program with Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy.
Drew Pinto, the executive vice president and chief revenue and technology officer for Marriott International, emphasized the strategic importance of tapping into the growing demand for business travel management solutions post-pandemic. The launch of the platform fills a void in the market as highlighted by a survey conducted by Wakefield Research, which revealed significant frustrations among business travelers with existing booking platforms. These insights have driven Marriott to position Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy as a user-friendly, one-stop shop for corporate travel needs.
Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy offers a range of features to streamline travel management for small and midsize businesses. In addition to booking hotels, flights, rail travel, and rental cars within the Marriott portfolio, the platform allows customization of travel policies, real-time analytics on travel spend, sustainability reporting, and interactive health and safety monitoring for travelers. Integration with existing expense-management platforms enables seamless payment processing and automated expense reporting. Employees also gain access to Marriott Bonvoy benefits, enhancing their travel experience.
Despite the advanced features of Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy, some industry experts remain skeptical about the platform’s long-term success. Jay Ellenby, president of Safe Harbors Business Travel, emphasized the human factor in corporate travel management and the potential challenges that arise when complications occur. While technology can facilitate processes, human support is crucial in resolving issues promptly. However, experts like Bjorn Hanson from NYU acknowledge Marriott’s capabilities in addressing these challenges and believe in the brand’s potential to navigate the complexities of corporate travel management successfully.
Marriott International’s Business Access by Marriott Bonvoy has the potential to disrupt the corporate travel industry by providing tailored solutions for small and midsize businesses. By addressing the evolving needs of companies in the post-pandemic world and offering a user-friendly platform with a range of features, Marriott aims to carve a niche in this market segment. While skepticism exists within the industry, it is evident that Marriott’s strategic vision and innovative approach have the potential to reshape the landscape of corporate travel management in the years to come.