When those managing a multinational corporate travel program choose to align with a single global distribution system, they are putting their eggs in one basket. And they shouldn't expect to aggregate 100 percent of available content in the market without some technical assistance, according to Shell International Global Travel manager of business development Albert Kilsdonk.
Speaking in Rome last week during an Association of Corporate Travel Executives conference, Kilsdonk said Shell told Carlson Wagonlit Travel, its consolidated global travel management company from 2005, "that we absolutely require 100 percent content. However you do it, do it." Doing it meant that "back-office systems had to work very hard to close the gaps in a couple of countries."
When asked to elaborate on the challenges of selecting a single GDS, Kilsdonk said, "There always is a little bit of a chicken-and-egg philosophy with the GDSs. They know they are weak in some markets and they do want to close the gap, but on the other hand they also need to have enough customers to make that happen."