The CWT Solutions Group is betting that the best way to engage and influence travelers is through gameplay, and has a new gamification-based business travel platform under development. The consulting branch of Carlson Wagonlit Travel, the company announced the new program on Aug. 5 at the Global Business Travel Association Convention in San Diego.
The new offering will reward business travelers with points and recognition for making booking decisions that are in line with an organization’s spending and procurement goals.
“As supplier pricing looks to increase across the globe in 2014, it’s more important now than ever for travel managers to explore innovative options that will help them control costs,” said Joel Wartgow, senior director of the CWT Solutions Group, Americas, in a statement.
The platform will incorporate the CWT Solutions Group’s travel expertise to offer a customized program aimed at getting corporate travel decision-makers to make the most beneficial and cost-conscious choices when booking. A major part of the program is its game-style elements, which aim to drive user engagement and ultimately incremental savings for the company itself.
Through a combination of individual points-earning and public recognition on a customized leaderboard, participants will be incentivized to make travel choices that are beneficial to the organization, without requiring an overly mandated process. The platform will also allow the individual and the program manager to track individual performance against their peers, division, or company as a whole.
“This offering uses traveler competition and virtual incentives to positively reinforce desired behaviors,” added Wartgow. “We’re not just providing the technology needed to “gamify” a travel program, but are working with clients to determine what behaviors need to be changed and identifying the correct strategies to employ within their corporate cultures to generate results.”