The inaugural BTN Business Travel Show America in New York (15–16 October 2025) delivered an impressive debut. From the moment the doors opened, the energy was undeniable – the ALTOUR booth was buzzing with conversations, client catch-ups, and new connections. The atmosphere captured a clear message: business travel is evolving fast, and the industry is ready to redefine how technology and human insight work together to drive real-world impact.
Across countless meetings and sessions, one theme dominated the conversation, travel technology and AI. But it wasn’t just about tools or automation. The real shift is in how data, people, and systems are being re-engineered to work together in smarter, more agile ways.
Here are the three topics that stood out most for us:
1. Agile Travel Strategies
The discussion on agile travel strategies showed how the industry is moving past the era of fragmented tech stacks. The focus now is on creating digital ecosystems, where AI and human insight combine to deliver continuous improvement.
At ALTOUR, this is already shaping how we design travel programs. With ALTOUR Intelligence, we’re building adaptable, AI-driven systems that learn from every booking and interaction. It’s about more than speed or automation; it’s about simplifying complexity and aligning technology with the way travel teams really work.
Key takeaway: The most successful programs aren’t chasing the latest tool. They’re building intelligence into their operations from the start.
2. AI in Action
In the “AI in Action: How Travel Managers Are Engineering Smarter Programs” session, the conversation moved beyond theory. AI is no longer experimental, it’s embedded.
Travel managers are shifting from “should we use AI?” to “how do we use it better?” The smartest teams are using it to power conversational booking, predictive analytics, and personalized traveler experiences, all while maintaining compliance and control.
Our AI Book tool is one example of this in practice, helping global organizations book faster and smarter while keeping visibility across content and spend.
Key takeaway: The winners won’t be those who adopt AI first, but those who apply it with purpose.
3. Sustainable Business Travel
Sustainability remains a top agenda item, but the focus is evolving. It’s not just about tracking emissions; it’s about making smarter, lower-impact decisions at every stage of the journey.
Sessions on sustainable business travel highlighted the industry’s shift from reporting to action, embedding carbon data into bookings, supporting responsible choices, and aligning sustainability goals with business outcomes.
That’s exactly how we approach it at ALTOUR. We help clients move beyond measurement to make sustainability a practical part of every trip, not just a post-trip report.
Key takeaway: Progress comes from connection, sharing what works, acknowledging what doesn’t, and collaborating across the industry.
From the conversations on the show floor to the packed breakout sessions, BTS America proved that innovation in business travel isn’t slowing down – it’s accelerating. The industry is embracing new ideas, new partnerships, and new technology with purpose. For ALTOUR, it was an inspiring reminder of why collaboration and curiosity remain at the heart of everything we do.
Looking Ahead
The conversations at BTS America made one thing clear: the future of business travel will be defined by intelligent ecosystems – where AI, technology, and human expertise work seamlessly together to create smarter, safer, and more sustainable programs.
At ALTOUR, we’re leading that transformation. As a global expert in travel management and AI-led travel technology, we’re already helping organizations build complex travel programs that flex, learn, and deliver measurable results.
Let’s talk about how we can future-proof your travel program.
