The U.S. State Department issued a Level 1 advisory for Vietnam, recommending normal precautions. Vietnam is generally safe, but petty crime is common in tourist areas. Landmines and unexploded ordnance exist, mainly at construction sites; risk is low in urban areas. Advises not to pick up or approach unknown metal objects.
Amadeus released a new report, Orchestrating Success, revealing that transformative AI tools are ready, but their successful adoption depends on strong foundations of trust, security, and governance. The report finds AI is poised to fundamentally transform the role of travel managers by automating repetitive tasks such as policy queries, approvals, and disruption management, freeing them to focus on forecasting, risk management, and wellbeing. It highlights AI use cases already taking shape in Amadeus Cytric, including trip intent detection, zero-touch trips, and dynamic policy.
New research from GBTA and Radisson Hotel Group reveals corporate travel managers are adapting hotel sourcing strategies amid market changes. Key findings: 54% of organizations partially outsource RFP activities, dynamic discounts are growing (49% of programs saw increases), and AI usage is expected to rise from 32% to 69% in upcoming RFP cycles. Travel managers balance costs, risk, and traveler experience while leveraging AI.
BCD Travel has been selected as the global travel partner for GE Vernova, managing corporate and crew travel across 106 countries. The move consolidates previously fragmented operations with multiple TMCs under an integrated solution powered by BCD technology, marking a major shift after more than 30 years with its incumbent provider. BCD will use its Tripsource platform to improve traveler engagement, simplify booking, and strengthen compliance, and TripPlanner technology for rotational workforce travel.
Expedia Group released research based on a survey of 1,500 hotel decision makers across six markets, finding that full connectivity, not just basic connectivity, drives stronger revenue performance, less manual work, and lower operational risk. 81% of fully connected properties say connectivity improved occupancy, ADR, or RevPAR, compared to 52% with basic connectivity.
The U.S. Department of State issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Jamaica due to crime and health risks. Violent crime is widespread, with one of the highest homicide rates in the Western Hemisphere. U.S. government employees are restricted from using public buses or driving at night, and travel to certain areas requires authorization. Medical care is limited, and private hospitals require upfront payment. Travelers are advised to avoid night travel and purchase travel insurance.
The U.S. Department of State updated its travel advisory for Jamaica, maintaining Level 2 and removing the 'natural disaster' indicator. Increased caution is advised due to crime and health risks. Violent crime is widespread with high homicide rates. Reconsider travel to specific parishes such as St. Ann's Parish (Steer Town) and others. Medical care is limited; travel insurance is recommended.
The UK FCDO updated its travel advice for Peru, maintaining advice against all but essential travel to areas within 20km south of the Peru-Colombia border (Loreto region) and the VRAEM region. The update removed information about Colombia's temporary border closures. Travel insurance may be invalidated if traveling against FCDO advice.
Air India and Booking.com announced a strategic partnership to deliver a co-branded platform on Air India's website and app, offering access to Booking.com's global accommodation inventory. Maharaja Club members earn 5 points per INR 100 spent, with exclusive discounts up to 15% for a limited period. The partnership aims to provide a seamless, end-to-end travel booking experience.
Ctrip Corporate Travel attended the third 66 Finance Festival and co-founded the Tongfan Alliance with Golden Finance and others to provide one-stop finance and tax solutions. CMO Zong Huiwen stated they will integrate the entire travel consumption chain, embedding invoice settlement and expense control. CIO Wang Zheng shared AI applications in cross-border travel risk control and compliance, with cross-border travel orders growing over 30% for three consecutive years.
The UK FCDO has updated its travel advice for Sierra Leone, adding information about completing a health travel declaration. The advice emphasizes that no travel can be guaranteed safe, reminds travelers to purchase appropriate travel insurance, and to read all advice. Updated on 19 June 2026, still current.
Research by Booking.com and Oxford Economics shows that travel booked through Booking.com supported €691 billion in economic activity across Europe in 2025, comparable to Belgium's GDP. Visitor spending of €291 billion supported 4.7 million jobs and €175 billion in wages. Launched at VivaTech 2026, the study highlights the importance of digital platforms for SMEs.
The FAA and EASA reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation at the 2026 International Safety Conference, focusing on information sharing, Safety Management Systems, automated flightdeck technologies, cybersecurity, and more. They will meet regularly to review progress, supporting innovation while maintaining public confidence.
LOT Polish Airlines' NDC content is now live on Travelport+, making it available to agencies across all of the airline's markets. The go-live fulfils commitments made when the two companies renewed their distribution agreement, extending a partnership dating back to 1993. Agencies can now access LOT's NDC content, including unsurcharged fares, domestic Polish itineraries and ancillaries previously unavailable through traditional distribution channels. The content is accessible through Smartpoint and the TripServices cloud-native API platform.
The 3rd Urumqi International Aviation Hub Construction Conference was held with over 400 guests. The 'New Kazakhstan Express' was launched, a northwest regional aviation initiative was released, and multilateral cooperation agreements were signed. Discussions focused on transforming from a traffic hub to a value hub, covering route expansion, transit efficiency, and sixth freedom rights.
Travelport's TripServices Flights API release Ancillaries 26.11.25W supports sending frequent flyer (loyalty) information for all passengers in the Standalone Seat Map request. This feature applies to GDS only.
Sabre announced a deployment with Ultra Group (now Linex Travel) using its MCP server and agentic AI to manage complex post-booking processes like ticket reissues and dynamic exchanges. Linex Travel, acquired by Linex Capital, will use Sabre Mosaic to expand its global loyalty redemption marketplace.
The UK FCDO updated its travel advice for El Salvador, with the latest update removing information about Tropical Storm Cristina. The advice still emphasizes that no travel is guaranteed safe, reminds travelers to purchase insurance and read all advice. Updated on 17 June 2026, still current.
Perk research shows 20% of employees regularly misrepresent expenses, and 56% have done so at least once. 31% still submit manually via email or spreadsheet, with manual processes more prone to misrepresentation. AI-generated receipts account for 8%, highest in Germany. Perk suggests expanding corporate card access, reducing friction, and implementing proactive guardrails.
Expedia TAAP introduces a new back-office API and internal reference code feature to help travel agencies streamline back-office operations and reduce manual work. The API provides real-time push notifications, automatically updating booking and earnings data, and supports integration with existing systems. This move aims to evolve TAAP from a booking platform to an integration-first ecosystem.
Amadeus released 'The New Rules of Travel Protection' report, surveying 3,000 travelers. 74% of global travelers purchase protection at least once a year, and 58% consider it essential for all trips. Bundling increases purchase rates from 43% to 58%. Travelers prefer coverage tailored to specific trips, such as medical, cancellation, luggage delay.
The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 2 advisory for Lesotho due to crime and health concerns. Crime, including armed robberies and carjackings, is common, and the health infrastructure is inadequate. Travelers are advised to enroll in STEP, avoid walking or driving at night, purchase travel insurance with medical evacuation, and bring sufficient prescription medications.
The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 2 "Exercise Increased Caution" advisory for Lesotho, citing crime and health. Crime is common in Lesotho, with armed robberies and carjackings occurring from time to time, and local police may not have enough resources to respond quickly. Lesotho's health infrastructure is inadequate; health facilities, services, hygiene, and quality control do not meet U.S. standards of care, and pharmacies are neither well-regulated nor well stocked, with locally available medications potentially unsafe. Travelers have the option to enter South Africa for health services.
The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Botswana, urging increased caution due to crime. Petty crime and crimes of opportunity, such as theft, home invasions, break-ins, muggings, and smash-and-grab incidents, are common. Travelers are advised to enroll in STEP, stay aware of surroundings, avoid walking or driving at night, and purchase travel insurance.
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) welcomes the political agreement on EU air passenger rights reform, which preserves compensation rights of €250-€600 for delays over three hours and strengthens airlines' obligations to inform and assist passengers. GBTA urges EU member states to implement the rules clearly and consistently to boost business traveler confidence.
SAP Concur published a blog post offering five steps for SMBs to cut employee expense costs, including moving away from spreadsheets, eliminating paper receipts, embracing AI and automation, improving visibility, and building a partner ecosystem. It cites data showing integrated solutions can reduce travel and expense costs by up to 21%.
Amadeus announced two major innovations in hospitality: a full-stack AI commerce solution to help hotels capture demand in AI-powered channels, and Amadeus Max, an AI assistant layer for cross-product workflows. Amadeus is also working with Google on the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) and introducing Performance Manager for AI search, with early pilots showing 44.7% of AI-driven visitors reaching the booking engine.
The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 3 advisory for Pakistan due to armed conflict, terrorism, crime, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk, including Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Terrorist attacks may target transportation hubs, hotels, and other locations. Travelers are advised to enroll in STEP, avoid large gatherings, and be aware of local laws.
SITA has appointed Frank Jaffé as Senior Vice President of SITA Global Services, effective June 1, 2026. He will lead the team that provides operational support to over 2,500 customers worldwide, ensuring technology runs smoothly for airlines and airports. Jaffé brings over 25 years of international experience, having previously served as Vice President of Global Delivery Services at Amadeus.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) announced temporary restricted areas (TRAs) over parts of Singapore on selected dates in June, July, and August 2026 for National Day Parade (NDP) aerial activities. The TRAs cover the Kallang area and extend from ground to 3,000 feet. During these times, all aerial activities including kite-flying and drones are prohibited, with penalties for violations.
Rebecca Kelley, Travel and Expense Analyst at Meteor Education, shares her experience with SAP Concur. The company has ~350 employees, with ~100 regular travelers. Through the integrated platform and Verify automated auditing, they saved significant time and stayed on budget for the first time in 2024 and 2025, after previously overspending by 25-30% annually.
A SAP Concur blog post highlights that manual invoice processing becomes increasingly inefficient and risky as businesses grow. Digitizing invoices and automating AP processes can reduce processing costs by up to 70%, cut handling times by 66%, improve compliance, and strengthen supplier relationships. AI-powered tools like OCR and machine learning automate data extraction and matching, while integration with ERP systems provides real-time visibility into cash flow and supports better decision-making.
The eighth annual SAP Concur Global Business Travel Survey reveals a paradox: while 93% of business travelers say work trips benefit their wellbeing, 67% are hesitant to travel due to safety concerns, disruptions, and role pressures. CFOs recognize travel's strategic value (97%), but travel managers feel unsupported. Employees increasingly expect employer support for safety, yet trust in data monitoring is fragile.
The Third Urumqi International Aviation Hub Construction Conference opened on June 12, themed 'Sky and Earth Together, Asian Heart Hub: New World Aviation Hub, New Golden Corridor Ecosystem.' Over 400 Chinese and foreign guests discussed building a world-class international aviation hub and promoting the 'Air Silk Road.' Xinjiang Airport Group launched the 'China-Kazakhstan Express' with partners, and COMAC issued an initiative for joint regional routes in Northwest China.
GBTA's annual U.S. Legislative Summit took place June 9-11 in Washington, D.C., with 120 members and stakeholders from 31 states. They held over 120 Capitol Hill meetings advocating for policies that support the business travel industry, which drives $624 billion in annual economic impact and accounts for 2.1% of U.S. GDP. Priorities include modernizing the air traffic system, avoiding burdensome entry processes, and advancing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
The UK FCDO updated its travel advice for Belize, removing information about the State of Emergency, which has now ended. The advice still emphasizes that no travel is guaranteed safe, and reminds travelers to research destinations and obtain appropriate travel insurance covering itinerary, planned activities, and emergencies.
Expensify, Inc. announced the final results of its modified 'Dutch auction' tender offer, accepting 6,053,023 shares of Class A common stock at $1.20 per share, for a total cost of approximately $7.26 million, representing about 6.8% of outstanding shares. The offer expired on June 10, 2026, and the company will pay with cash on hand.
The U.S. Department of State issued a Level 3 travel advisory for Nigeria, advising travelers to reconsider travel due to crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, and inconsistent healthcare. Some areas have increased risk, with several states listed as 'Do Not Travel.' The advisory highlights widespread violent crime, frequent kidnappings for ransom, unreliable healthcare, and recommends travelers obtain travel insurance including medical evacuation.
The U.S. Department of State updated its travel advisory for Nigeria, maintaining Level 3 'Reconsider Travel.' The advisory cites risks of crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, and inconsistent healthcare. Several states are listed as 'Do Not Travel,' including Borno, Yobe, etc. Travelers are advised to remain vigilant, obtain travel insurance including medical evacuation, and have contingency plans.
A SAP Concur blog post explores how AI is transforming travel and expense (T&E) management. Traditional T&E processes rely on employees understanding policies, often leading to errors and inefficiency. AI enables proactive management by providing real-time guidance, automating classification, and identifying high-risk expenses, improving compliance, data accuracy, and efficiency.