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Business Travel Show Asia Pacific announces ‘AI in action’ as first in series of AI and technology sessions taking place during two-day conference programme
Business Travel Show Asia Pacific today announces details of its AI and technology focused sessions for its two-day conference programme. AI continues to dominate corporate travel with recent market research* into the global corporate travel sector reporting that two thirds – 66 per cent – of corporates are planning to integrate a range of AI-driven booking, expenses and pricing tools across their travel programmes in the next six years.
The first, ‘AI in action: How corporate travel programmes and their supplier partners are using AI today’, will examine the impact of AI across the corporate travel ecosystem, followed by the following additional sessions:
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‘AI and travel management’ opening day two with BTN Group Vice President of Content, Elizabeth West, presenting findings from the latest Business Travel News research on AI and travel management
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Business Travel Show Asia Pacific Innovation Faceoff 2026 presentations. Taking place across the two-day event, five of the brightest and boldest innovators in the industry will pitch the latest technology solutions set to shape the future landscape of corporate travel and meetings. The final award presentation will take place at the end of day two at 4pm on 15 April in the Knowledge Arena
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Buyer-only BTN Community session: ‘Technology and distribution’ will examine the impact of travel technology and distribution changes on managed travel programmes, also on day one
Now in its second year, Business Travel Show Asia Pacific returns to Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, 14 – 15 April 2026. Ahead of the show, attendees from across the APAC region share their views on how and where AI is set to make the biggest impact.
From reactive to proactive
The direction of AI in corporate travel is clear: no longer simply answering traveller queries, it is beginning to anticipate them as predictive tools accelerate. From flagging visa requirements 60 days in advance, to forecasting flight disruptions and triggering instant re-bookings before travellers are impacted.
Vibhav Singh, Principal Consultant – Commercial Lead, Amex GBT Consulting predicts, “Looking ahead, we will see more proactive, ‘agentic’ experiences – where AI shifts from simply responding to requests to actively supporting travellers in the background, such as monitoring disruptions and helping re-accommodate trips when needed, with seamless escalation to a human when it matters most.”
Geert de Boo, Vice President of Global Business Travel, JTB Business Travel also highlights the impact more proactive tools will have on enhancing a more personalised approach, "We are implementing AI to improve the traveller experience, guiding towards more relevant and personalised itinerary-building, based on an understanding of travellers' preferences and past travel patterns.” In line with striking a more proactive, personalised approach, he also references the role of Agentic AI in enabling travel management companies to “deliver deeper levels of support, but still with the possibility of a real agent’s help to support a range of services including, for example, our signature Trip Disruption Assistance.”
Agentic AI takes centre-stage
'Agentic AI' is also seen by many as the defining trend of 2026. Vicki Parris, Managing Director for SE Asia, FCM Travel, says the TMC expects agentic AI to be one of the main aspects of its AI-implementation across its systems in the year ahead: “Integrating agentic AI into our booking system will see travellers gradually move away from the traditional OBT booking to a more intuitive solution.”
A view shared by Eugene Tan, General Manager - Southeast Asia & Global Partnerships, Trip.Biz who also highlights the concern its implementation raises around trust. “The biggest impact this year is the transition from assistive AI to agentic AI. AI is no longer just a chatbot that answers questions; it is evolving into a proactive agent that anticipates disruptions and executes complex tasks autonomously.
“On the other hand, this rapid shift has also created a 'trust gap.' Many of our clients are explicitly worried that AI is being used as a tool for deflection: to replace the real human agents they rely on in a crisis. AI generates efficiency, but only people generate trust. The impact of AI this year will be to prove that the most successful initiatives implemented for the travel programmes can combine digital speed with reliable human presence to support the business travellers.”
Is governance putting the brakes on AI acceleration?
In line with the topic of trust, buyer-side voices are also conscious of the need to secure solid governance foundations before committing to scaling AI across travel programmes. Kerri Homann, Travel Manager, Rheinmetall Defence Australia and New Zealand comments, “While AI has the potential to improve efficiency and insight, our primary focus will be on ensuring that any use of AI across the travel ecosystem is secure, compliant and well governed. Ultimately, the challenge for the industry will be balancing innovation with responsibility, ensuring AI enhances the travel programme while protecting our travellers, our data and our duty of care obligations.”
Commenting on this year’s show, Jen Bankard, Executive Director, Conference Content & Strategy, The BTN Group, said, “The pace and scale of AI acceleration in the last year has brought both opportunities and important questions, shaping conversations across corporate travel and the industries served by today’s travel buyers. When curating this year’s conference programme, our focus has been on placing AI within the broader context of the industry - exploring how buyers and suppliers are working together to apply it in practical ways, alongside sharing the findings from our global AI survey of travel buyers.
“The second edition of Business Travel Show Asia Pacific is set to be thought-provoking and inspiring with experts from across the industry providing insights and advice on not only AI and technology but also distribution, sustainability and crisis response, ensuring visitors leave informed by up-to-the-minute information to enhance the next stage of their travel programme.”
Over 500 leading corporate travel buyers and suppliers are expected to come together for two days of sourcing, learning, networking and insights on the latest news, trends and research influencing one of the fastest growing corporate travel markets globally.
Corporate travel buyers, procurement managers responsible for corporate travel and meetings planners are invited to attend the event for free, subject to qualifications, while non-exhibiting suppliers may purchase tickets.
For more information, including registration and the full conference agenda, please visit: businesstravelshowapac.com
Business Travel Show Asia Pacific is co-located with The Meetings Show Asia Pacific which will also host two AI sessions: ‘Event AI Tools in Action’ on day one and ‘The Digital Doppelganger’ which is the keynote speech on day two.
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