Buyers continue to face major challenges with airline distribution and imminent changes to booking of NDC content according to global, EMEA and UK travel managers attending ITM’s latest Buyer Knowledge Exchange on 14^th March.

Buyer Knowledge Exchange sessions are hosted regularly by ITM to assist buyer members problem solve common issues, ask questions of their peers and benchmark their approach. Travel managers taking part represent diverse industry sectors such as financial services, energy, food, technology, telecoms, consulting, media and entertainment.

NDC dominated discussions again this month with some buyers expressing concern that they will face a deluge of complaints from travellers about fares being visible but not bookable in their OBT. Other buyers expect a potential increase in leakage, whilst others foresee challenges with managing the manual process for exceptions to policy. Buyers also stated their frustration at the lack of readiness by GMCs, OBTs and GDSs given the length of time that NDC has been underway.

For a full download of buyer sentiment on this trending topic as well as other current issues such as group hotel payments and managing changes to policy, which were also discussed at the latest Buyer Knowledge Exchange, visit ITM Resource to access the notes from the session.

The next Buyer Knowledge Exchange takes place on 11^th April 2023. Buyers can click here to register and join the discussion.