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ARRIVALS<br />
Welcome<br />
Rise of the machines<br />
Technology has long been the driving<br />
force behind the travel industry's<br />
evolution, but as you absorb the pages<br />
of this issue's extended feature (p61-<br />
79) you might come to the conclusion<br />
that <strong>2019</strong> could be something of a<br />
watershed moment for the tools and processes that power the business<br />
travel industry. Booking tools are increasingly incorporating bots and<br />
artificial intelligence as TMCs bid to deliver greater personalisation and<br />
efficiencies, while the divisive topic of NDC is also gaining traction.<br />
It is interesting that technology also underpins the vast majority of<br />
entrants in this year's Disrupt Awards. I'll have the pleasure of joining the<br />
judging panel when the finalists pitch their businesses to delegates at the<br />
<strong>Business</strong> <strong>Travel</strong> Show on <strong>Feb</strong>ruary 20-21 and I look forward to hearing<br />
more about their various innovations. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Business</strong> <strong>Travel</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> team<br />
will be out in force at the show reporting on the latest announcements<br />
and trends, so come and say hello.<br />
One topic that will undoubtedly reverberate around the halls of Olympia<br />
London is that of Brexit. At the time of writing, it is still not clear how – or<br />
even if – the UK will depart the European Union on <strong>Mar</strong>ch 29. Perhaps the<br />
picture will be clearer by the time our next issue goes to press at the end<br />
of <strong>Mar</strong>ch – or perhaps not!<br />
Finally, it is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Colin Ellson who<br />
passed away in January. Colin was a regular contributor to <strong>The</strong> <strong>Business</strong><br />
<strong>Travel</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> and other BMI Publishing titles. A veteran travel journalist,<br />
he was well-loved and respected by his many industry acquaintances.<br />
the<br />
<strong>Business</strong>travel<br />
MAGAZINE<br />
EDITORIAL<br />
EDITOR<br />
Andy Hoskins<br />
andy.hoskins@thebusinesstravelmag.com<br />
CONTRIBUTORS<br />
Catherine Chetwynd, Linda Fox,<br />
Rob Gill, Gillian Upton<br />
& Angela Sara West<br />
JOURNALIST<br />
Benjamin Coren<br />
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR<br />
Steve Hartridge<br />
SALES<br />
PUBLISHER<br />
David Clare<br />
david.clare@thebusinesstravelmag.com<br />
DESIGN & PRODUCTION<br />
SENIOR DESIGNER<br />
Louisa Horton<br />
DESIGNERS<br />
Ross Clifford & Zoe Tarrant<br />
PRODUCTION & STUDIO MANAGER<br />
Clare Hunter<br />
PRODUCTION CONTROLLER<br />
Steve Hunter<br />
BMI PUBLISHING<br />
MANAGING DIRECTOR<br />
Matt Bonner<br />
CEO<br />
<strong>Mar</strong>tin Steady<br />
Andy Hoskins, Editor<br />
(Print) ISSN 1754-8543. THE BUSINESS TRAVEL MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED BY<br />
BMI PUBLISHING LTD: SUFFOLK HOUSE, GEORGE STREET, CROYDON,<br />
SURREY, CR9 1SR, UK. T: 020 8649 7233<br />
E: ENQUIRIES@BMIPUBLISHING.CO.UK<br />
BMIPUBLISHING.CO.UK<br />
ALL PAPER USED IN THIS PUBLICATION IS SOURCED FROM SUSTAINABLE<br />
FORESTS AND IS FULLY RECYCLABLE.<br />
WHILE EVERY EFFORT IS MADE TO ENSURE ACCURACY, BMI PUBLISHING LTD<br />
CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS.<br />
©BMI PUBLISHING LTD <strong>2019</strong><br />
IMAGES: SOURCED FROM SUPPLIERS, ISTOCKPHOTO.COM<br />
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THEBUSINESSTRAVELMAG.COM<br />
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