As we close out October, I'm energized by the rapid pace of change in corporate travel, where adaptability and innovation are essential for turning challenges into opportunities. At ALTOUR, our mission is unwavering: to handle the complexities of connecting people, allowing your teams to concentrate on achieving outstanding outcomes. This month, that mission is evident in our focus on flexible technology, strategic leadership, and global collaborations that enable businesses like yours to navigate uncertainties with confidence and efficiency.
In this issue, we introduce ALTOUR Connect as a smarter alternative to Concur's evolving model, offering an open ecosystem with AI-driven policies, integrated payments, and built-in sustainability features for seamless, agile travel management. We also recap our strong presence at BTS America 2025, where AI Book shone as an Innovation Faceoff finalist, and highlight insights from the Sustainable Business Travel session on balancing ESG goals with operational excellence.
We're thrilled to welcome new senior leaders Nina Marcello and Chantal Wulf, who will enhance our hotel content sourcing and partner management - check out Nina's blog on rethinking hotel sourcing in volatile markets. Our travel news features Mike Boult on managing bleisure travel and Dr. John Rose's tips for flight delays amid the government shutdown, with ALTOUR tools like AI Shield providing real-time support.
On the global stage, we celebrate ALTOUR Kenya's 70th anniversary and our participation in Networking 2025 in Buenos Aires, fostering connections across LATAM. And YES inspires with ideas for holiday events, showcasing our expertise in crafting bespoke meetings, incentives, and conferences that deliver lasting impact and memorable experiences worldwide.
Change is relentless, but together, we're transforming it into advancement. Thank you for your partnership, we're with you all the way as we co-create the future of corporate travel.
You may have heard about SAP Concur's recent announcement naming Amex GBT as its "premier partner," signaling a change in how they'll prioritize innovation and partnerships moving forward. At ALTOUR, as a longstanding SAP Concur Elite Partner, our dedication to supporting your program remains unwavering—we'll continue delivering the high-level service, expertise, and care you've come to expect. That said, this development has prompted many clients to explore flexible alternatives. Enter ALTOUR Connect: our intelligent, global platform that unifies booking, payments, cards, and expense automation into one seamless experience.
Why ALTOUR Connect Stands Out:
Open Ecosystem: Freedom to innovate without being tied to one TMC's roadmap.
End-to-End Visibility: Track every transaction and traveler in real-time.
AI-Driven Policies: Dynamic approvals ensure compliance and speed.
Built-In Sustainability & Duty of Care: CO₂ tracking and responsible travel features.
Seamless Integrations: Connects with your ERP, HR, and finance systems.
Compared to Concur's evolving closed model, ALTOUR Connect offers 30% more content through multi-channel access (direct connects, aggregators, GDS, NDC), a modern mobile-first design, and client-driven innovation for greater agility and savings.
Ready to see how ALTOUR Connect compares or discuss a migration plan?
ALTOUR made a strong showing at the Business Travel Show (BTS) America 2025 in New York City this October, where we exhibited and participated in key sessions. The event brought together industry leaders to explore emerging trends, with themes centered on technology integration, sustainability, and resilient travel management.
A highlight was ALTOUR's AI Book, a finalist in the prestigious Innovation Faceoff competition. This conversational booking tool, powered by advanced AI, demonstrated how it streamlines complex itineraries in seconds while ensuring policy compliance and personalization—reducing friction for travelers and managers alike.
The Sustainable Business Travel session was particularly impactful, discussing strategies for lower-carbon options, eco-friendly suppliers, and CO₂ tracking. ALTOUR's approach aligns closely, with tools like AI Predict for proactive disruption management and integrated sustainability features in our platforms to help clients meet ESG goals without sacrificing efficiency.
Overall, BTS America reinforced the need for balanced innovation—blending AI with human expertise to build future-ready programs. We're excited about the connections made and look forward to implementing these insights for our clients.
Welcoming New Senior Leaders: Nina Marcello and Chantal Wulf
We're excited to announce two key senior appointments at ALTOUR, strengthening our expertise in hotel content and partner management to deliver even greater value to our clients.
Nina Marcello joins as Senior Director of Hotel Content Sourcing & Adoption, where she'll lead efforts to curate and optimize our global hotel offerings. With her deep industry knowledge, Nina will enhance sourcing strategies, ensuring access to premium, compliant, and sustainable accommodations that align with your travel programs. Drawing from her recent responses to Skift on hotel sourcing, we've shaped her insights into a by-lined blog, "Rethinking Hotel Sourcing in a Volatile Market." This piece introduces Nina, shares her perspective on data-driven strategies in today's unpredictable landscape, and positions ALTOUR as a thought leader in client-centric approaches.
Chantal Wulf steps into the role of VP of Partner Management, focusing on building and nurturing strategic relationships worldwide. Her leadership will drive collaboration with key partners, expanding our network to provide seamless, innovative solutions for multinational clients.
These appointments reflect ALTOUR's commitment to innovation and client-centric growth, empowering us to offer more tailored, efficient travel experiences.
Mike Boult Featured in Business Travel Executive: Managing Bleisure Travel
ALTOUR Chief Commercial Officer Mike Boult recently shared expert insights with Business Travel Executive Magazine on the rise of blended (bleisure) travel - where work and leisure intersect, and how companies can navigate its new realities while balancing compliance, costs, and traveler satisfaction.
As Mike explains, bleisure is surging across demographics and industries, offering benefits for talent retention and well-being. However, it raises key challenges like insurance gaps and personal liability: “It could also lapse once the official business portion ends, so it’s about educating employees about their own liabilities during their personal time.”
Smart organizations are adapting with formal policies or flexible frameworks to define responsibilities, educate employees, and implement mature pre-trip approvals.
At ALTOUR, we view bleisure as an opportunity, not a risk, guiding clients to build proactive strategies that protect people and the bottom line.
As Mike notes, “the key is transparency, education, and mature pre-trip approval processes.”
Dr. John Rose in Washington Post: Tips for Managing Flight Delays Amid Government Shutdown
The ongoing U.S. government shutdown is causing widespread flight delays and staffing shortages in aviation, as highlighted in a recent Washington Post article. Dr. John Rose, ALTOUR’s Chief Risk Officer, provides practical advice to help travelers navigate these uncertainties with minimal stress.
Key points from the article include air traffic control shortages leading to thousands of daily delays (e.g. nearly 7,000 on Monday alone) and warnings that disruptions could worsen without paychecks for controllers and TSA staff.
Dr. Rose emphasizes proactive strategies: "Plan ahead, build in extra time, and have a backup plan - small steps that make a big difference when travel gets complicated." He advises monitoring updates, opting for flexible bookings, and considering travel insurance for added protection.
At ALTOUR, tools like AI Shield deliver real-time risk alerts for disruptions, while AI Respond handles flight cancellations instantly with alternatives, ensuring duty of care and minimizing impacts from events like shutdowns.
We're committed to keeping you informed and prepared during such challenges.
With You All The Way in Kenya: Celebrating 70 Years of Excellence
We’re proud to celebrate an incredible milestone for ALTOUR Kenya, marking 70 years of excellence in the travel industry. Hosted at the elegant Hemingways Nairobi, the anniversary event brought together clients, suppliers, and industry friends for an evening that truly reflected the spirit of ALTOUR - authentic relationships, local expertise, and a shared commitment to exceptional service.
For seven decades, our Kenya team at Hemingways Travel has set the standard in corporate and leisure travel, building trusted partnerships that continue to thrive today. As part of the ALTOUR global family, they exemplify The ALTOUR Way... combining deep local insight with worldwide reach to support clients wherever business takes them.
Here’s to 70 years of partnership and a future defined by innovation, growth, and success - with you all the way.
Fostering Connections: ALTOUR at Networking 2025 in Buenos Aires
At ALTOUR, strong partnerships are the foundation of progress. We're proud to have participated in "Networking 2025," organized by ALTOUR ARGENTINA Travel Services, which brought together valued customers and suppliers for an evening of meaningful connections, collaboration, and forward-looking discussions on corporate travel.
Carina Fernandez Grenno, our Regional VP for Latin America & Canada, delivered a compelling keynote on the outlook for corporate travel in 2025. One standout insight: “Three million dollars are spent on corporate travel every minute globally in 2025. In Latin America, US$105,000 per minute.” Carina challenged attendees to rethink measurement by shifting from “reason for travel” to “objective of travel,” emphasizing follow-up on outcomes for true ROI.
She also shared takeaways from the GBTA LATAM Conference in Mexico City, highlighting themes like AI technology, ROI optimization, and regional collaboration - insights that are guiding our support for clients across Latin America and beyond.
Events like this reinforce ALTOUR's commitment to empowering businesses through innovative, client-focused travel solutions.
Discover Extraordinary New Hotels in Destinations You’ll Love.
With a portfolio of over 30 extraordinary brands and more than 9,600 properties across 143 countries and territories, Marriott Bonvoy® invites travelers to experience renowned hospitality in the world’s most memorable destinations. Whether you're exploring around the corner or across the globe, every journey offers the chance to create transformative, eye-opening moments.
At the heart of Marriott Bonvoy are three guiding pillars:
Best Brands & Experiences: We’re committed to delivering flawless, elevated guest experiences through the industry’s most admired brands. Our goal is simple: to turn every stay into a lasting memory.
Most Loyal Members: With over 248 million members and growing, Marriott Bonvoy is more than a loyalty program — it’s a global community. We’re focused on expanding enrollment and deepening engagement across every touchpoint.
Being in More Places: From hotels and luxury villas to yachts and premium home rentals, we’re wherever our customers want to be. Our diverse offerings span every price point and travel style, ensuring there's something for everyone.
Meet Nina Marcello, Senior Director of ALTOUR Hotel Content and Adoption
We're excited to introduce Nina Marcello, our new Senior Director of Hotel Content Sourcing & Adoption at ALTOUR. Nina has dedicated her career to the travel industry, with extensive experience in hospitality, corporate travel, and consulting. Starting in hotel management, she developed a passion for service excellence and guest experience, which she now applies to advocating for innovation in hotel accommodations.
Get to know Nina better:
What is the most memorable trip you have taken? I am blessed to have been on many wonderful trips in my lifetime. The ones with my family always make me the happiest. Currently, I am still carrying around the excitement of seeing the Eagles at the Sphere in Vegas in early October. What an amazing experience!
What is your go-to travel song or playlist when you are on the road (or in the air)? Summer road trips typically lead to Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville album; it is a sure sign that the weather has turned and fun times are ahead.
What is your travel superpower? Organization: I always take a few minutes to ensure that needed information is in my phone. This prep has saved me time and again. Also, if you need it – I have it. Always prepared.
If you could have one famous travel companion (past or present), who would it be? Tough one…. Perhaps Julia Child as we could cook, explore regional food and drink wine together or Lucille Ball as I always loved her comedy and she seemed to always skirt just on the edge of fun and trouble.
If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have 3 items, what would they be? Sunscreen… I burn like crazy, a good book… might as well keep busy and water… it is a desert after all.
Welcome, Nina!
Elevate Your Holiday Events with YES!
As the holiday season approaches, now's the perfect time to plan unforgettable corporate gatherings that inspire, connect, and celebrate your team. At Your Event Solutions (YES), an ALTOUR company, we specialize in crafting bespoke events, from intimate holiday parties to grand incentives and conferences that deliver impact and lasting memories worldwide.
With our global expertise in meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE), YES turns visions into reality through innovative planning, venue sourcing, and seamless execution. Whether it's a festive end-of-year celebration or a strategic team-building retreat, we handle every detail with creativity and precision.
Don't just take our word for it... here's what one client shared: "YES continue to pull off our best and most memorable activations. They bring things to life in such a unique and product-led way... They handle last-minute changes extremely well and cope so well under high pressures... Their ideas are blue sky thinking, never done/seen before moments. This creativity is greatly appreciated."
Ready to make your holiday events pop? Contact YES today to start planning!
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