How AI is Achieving “Frictionless” and Inclusive Travel for Everyone

The travel industry has had an interesting five years. First, COVID wreaked havoc. Then there were recovery years as the industry settled into a new normal. Now, AI is reshaping the industry by improving the inclusivity of travel products and services and delivering a “frictionless” travel experience.

It’s already having an impact, as the state of AI in corporate travel 2025 report, which surveyed 300 travel managers in the US, shows. For example, 52% of respondents said AI tools exceed expectations, while 92% said tools at least met their expectations. 

AI-powered predictive analytics and hyperpersonalisation play an important role in this. 

Contrary to popular belief, this doesn’t make travel agents redundant. Instead, the need for experienced travel managers continues to grow. 

But how does “frictionless” actually work? Why is it a game-changer for travellers? Most importantly, why should you still have a corporate travel manager in your corner?

Intelligence that Learns

You might have heard of hyper-personalisation. It’s often used in marketing and refers to strategies, products, and services that are tailored to your personal preferences.

In travel, it refers to hyper-personalised itineraries and adaptive risk alerts that evolve to meet your specific needs. This evolution is based on your past behaviour and preferences. Basically, AI learns to read you and anticipate your needs.

Using AI to Best Effect

At its heart, frictionless travel is about hyper-personalisation and efficient administration. These are in AI’s wheelhouse, as it easily manages complex, time-consuming admin and related tasks. 

For example:

• Money saved: Instead of shopping around chasing low rates and prices, AI delivers all the information to your digital door. This is particularly handy when it comes to automatically adjusting prices according to local markets. 
• Accelerated approval: Depending on your business’s size and industry, getting trip approval can be a nightmare. Machine learning and automation learn your company’s trip approval processes and generate accurate, compliant approval applications in the blink of an eye.   
• Human support: This is where we address the whole AI-replacing-people debate. You simply can’t replace the personal touch. However, it’s convenient to use AI for routine tasks (which we’ll call lightening the cognitive load) because then we can focus on high-touch service and your well-being.

Empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

AI is often referred to as a leveller. It breaks through barriers and ensures everyone has the same access to the same service. In other words, no preferential treatment based on income and position in society. In travel, that means SMEs can finally access and leverage the same tools as large enterprises. 

This includes:

• Access to negotiated rates: SMEs and large enterprises have access to the same centralised booking platforms. SMEs get the same negotiated corporate rates and travel discounts without trying to negotiate rates using their (limited) professional and personal clout. 
• Enterprise sophistication: Centralised platforms provide insight into travel programmes and patterns. This gives SMEs more control over their travel processes, identifying cost-saving opportunities and improving the efficiency of travel programmes.

If you’re looking for numbers, every dollar SMEs spend on business travel produces an average of $12 in revenue. This is largely due to new customer acquisition. 

Analytics, Cost Control & Policy Compliance

If you want to make good decisions, you need good data. You also need a way to process data quickly and efficiently to deliver relevant results. It’s too much for one person to manage. Just imagine the cognitive load. AI tools often include analytics tools that quantify travel data, providing (highly personalised) insights into your travel programme. 

Analytics benefits include:

• Cost savings: Predictive forecasting combined with travel trend analysis reveals future cost-saving potential. 
• Policy compliance: AI picks up patterns and trends, so anomalies are quickly identified. Basically, travel managers identify changes in cost patterns and unusual employee behaviour and get to the bottom of the problem.

You, the Traveller

You are our priority. So, your safety and well-being are of paramount importance. AI can devise comprehensive travel programmes that use analytics to monitor every aspect of your business trips. 

For example:

• Real-time tracking: With no invasion of privacy, modern travel management systems monitor where you are and which transport you’re using. AI anticipates your likely route and identifies things like road closures and heavy traffic, so you can adjust your trip. 
• Holding onto your sanity: Travelling takes its toll. Too much travel, long trips, and jet lag can wear you down. You feel “over it” and lose your motivation. AI tools flag potential problems, so you can get some well-deserved rest while someone else checks in at the airport. 

AI Rings in a Sustainable Future 

Climate change and sustainability are on everyone’s lips. There’s pressure on businesses to reduce their carbon footprint. This is tricky when your job requires a lot of travel. Again, AI and analytics prove their worth. 

Here’s how:

• Carbon reporting: Modern travel platforms include multi-level reporting on carbon emissions. For example, you could compare transport methods and choose the one that’s most carbon efficient.
• Willingness to change: AI tools deliver a lot of data, but it’s only meaningful if it’s actioned. Travel management agencies must accept the realities of a continuously evolving industry and adapt quickly to change, adjusting travel programmes as the landscape shifts. 

Is Travel Really Frictionless?

Nothing in life is ever 100% plain sailing. But here’s the truth. Making your own corporate travel arrangements is time-consuming, and there’s no guarantee that you’ll get the best deals or rates available. Working with a travel manager removes pressure, saves time, and definitely saves costs. 

Why not experience the results yourself? Contact us before your next trip, leave the details in our hands, and find out what 99% frictionless travelling feels like.

Posted on 17 April 2026 by VMR Travel