B2B Travel Payments Strategy for Airlines and Agents

This document is a thought leadership piece that discusses the evolving landscape of B2B travel payments and its significance for airlines and travel agencies. It outlines the necessity for both parties to develop a B2B travel payments strategy that complements their B2C efforts, especially in light of the changing travel distribution environment. The text emphasizes the importance of customer experience as a driving force behind business strategies in the travel industry. It details how travel agencies are adopting a retailer business model to enhance customer experience and streamline operations while managing risks associated with payment fraud and supplier defaults. The document also highlights the challenges airlines face in maintaining competitive distribution strategies and the need for a balanced approach to B2B payments. It concludes by indicating that the next part of the series will delve deeper into the challenges and opportunities within the current B2B travel payments environment for air travel.