SHOW NEWS

In our Buyer Spotlight series, we speak with corporate travel leaders across the Asia Pacific region to understand how they’re navigating the realities of managing business travel today. By asking the same set of questions, we uncover shared challenges, different strategies, and practical insights that help shape stronger travel programmes across APAC.

For our latest spotlight, we spoke with Myril Anne Espita, who shared her perspective on managing travel programme transformation while balancing global policy frameworks with the complex realities of the APAC region.

Q1: What’s the biggest challenge you’re currently facing in your travel programme?

“Credit Card Implementation as FOP (Global Credit Card Programme) and the transition to our new TMC — including implementation and migration.”

Large programme transitions often bring both opportunity and complexity. Implementing a global credit card programme and migrating to a new travel management company requires careful coordination, internal alignment, and strong supplier collaboration.

For many travel managers, initiatives like these mark a significant shift in how travel spend is tracked, managed, and controlled across global organisations.

Q2: How are you balancing cost control and traveller experience across such a diverse region?

“Flexibility and localized approach are required in balancing cost control and traveller experience in a diverse region like APAC. We set a clear Global Travel Policy to manage spend effectively, but we also adapt them to local market conditions where needed, such as preferred suppliers, fare types, or booking channels. At the same time, we focus on traveller experience by ensuring ease of booking, reliable support, and duty of care. We do partner with suppliers who deliver both competitive pricing and consistent service standards across markets.”

This highlights one of the defining challenges of travel management in Asia Pacific: balancing global consistency with local flexibility.

While global travel policies help manage spend and compliance, adapting them to local market realities—such as supplier availability, pricing structures, and traveller expectations—is often essential for programmes to function effectively across the region.

Q3: Has your approach to sustainability shifted over the past year? If so, how?

“We have always worked with suppliers that have clear sustainability commitment, as well as promoting lower-carbon travel options where available. Sustainability is an area that the business as a whole are currently looking to increase focus on.”

As sustainability continues to move higher on the corporate agenda, many travel programmes are expanding their focus in this area. Working with responsible suppliers and encouraging lower-carbon travel options are often early steps as organisations develop broader sustainability strategies.

Q4: What do you wish more suppliers understood about supporting buyers in the Asia Pacific region?

“I wish more suppliers understood the diversity and complexity of the APAC Region. Each market has unique travel patterns, regulations, and traveller expectations. Localized solution is crucial especially when it comes to pricing or service models. Suppliers who can deliver localized service while maintaining global standards will really have a plus point.”

Myril Anne’s perspective reinforces a message we’ve heard repeatedly from APAC buyers: the region cannot be approached as a single market. Suppliers who succeed in APAC are often those who combine global scale with genuine local understanding—offering flexible solutions that reflect the realities of different markets.

Q5: How are you using data to make travel programme decisions more strategic?

“We use data to identify spend patterns, traveller behaviours, and supplier performance across markets. This helps us negotiate with suppliers and target cost savings.”

Data continues to play an increasingly important role in shaping travel strategy. Insights into spend patterns, traveller behaviour, and supplier performance allow travel managers to identify opportunities for savings while strengthening supplier negotiations and programme efficiency.

Q6: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to a peer managing travel across the region?

“Be flexible and localize their approach. It is important to balance Global Travel Policy with market-specific solutions. Listen to traveller feedback and adapt as much as possible.”

Flexibility is a recurring theme across many APAC travel programmes. Myril Anne’s advice reflects the reality that success often comes from balancing structure with adaptability—while ensuring traveller needs and feedback remain part of the decision-making process.

Myril Anne Espita’s perspective highlights the evolving nature of corporate travel management in APAC. From programme transitions and payment implementation to localisation strategies and supplier collaboration, managing travel across the region requires both structure and adaptability.

As travel programmes continue to evolve, insights like these help highlight the practical strategies travel managers are using to navigate complexity and deliver value for their organisations.

Want to connect with travel leaders like Myril Anne Espita?

Join us at the Business Travel Show Asia Pacific 2026, where buyers, suppliers and industry experts come together to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and shape the future of corporate travel in the region.

👉 Apply to be a hosted buyer or register today.