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Travel and Hospitality Tech Outlook: Specials Magazine
![Navan, Inc [NASDAQ:NAVN]: Putting Travel Control before the Expense Report](https://www.travelnhospitalitytech.com/uploaded_images/103-b0k75.jpg "Navan, Inc [NASDAQ:NAVN]: Putting Travel Control before the Expense Report")
Most travel controls arrive after the money has already been spent. By the time finance reviews an expense report, the employee has already completed the trip, and the transaction may be weeks old. Policy enforcement then becomes an exercise in identifying what should have happened earlier, rather than influencing the decision while it can still be changed. Navan [NASDAQ:NAVN] moves financial control upstream. Its corporate travel and expense platform applies company rules while employees are searching, booking and spending, then carries the resulting context into reconciliation. Instead of asking finance teams to reconstruct each transaction after the trip, Navan is designed to make the transaction policy-aware from the beginning. Faster reporting does not solve the underlying timing problem. Control becomes more useful when it is applied before an exception becomes an expense that needs to be explained.
![Navan, Inc [NASDAQ:NAVN]: Putting Travel Control before the Expense Report](https://www.travelnhospitalitytech.com/newstransfer/upload/4230-q40v-.jpg "Navan, Inc [NASDAQ:NAVN]: Putting Travel Control before the Expense Report")
Travel Management
Hotels and event venues often struggle with fragmented coordination, limited visibility and inconsistent client communication across the event lifecycle. Sales, planning and operations teams frequently rely on separate systems, creating inefficiencies and increasing the risk of missed details during execution. HotelTech IQ addresses this challenge by centralizing event management into a single platform that connects teams and processes in real time. Its approach transforms how events are planned, communicated and delivered. “HotelTech IQ transforms the event app into a seamless extension of the hotel’s brand and guest communication strategy,” says Keith Lefkof, founder and CEO.
Top Travel Booking Technology Solutions 2026
Travel agencies typically spend considerable time searching for the right flight for a customer. Finding a competitive fare can mean checking multiple airline websites, booking systems and global distribution platforms. Some discounted fares and regional airline options may be unavailable through the systems agencies typically use. Agents lose valuable time comparing prices manually, and complicated ticket changes or urgent travel disruptions can add another layer of work. The result can be slower customer service and lower margins for the agency. Picasso Travel helps travel agencies and tour operators work smarter, faster and more profitably with Cockpit, its powerful booking platform that brings airline fares and booking options together in one place. Agents can compare regular airline prices, negotiated and discounted fares and airline-direct NDC options, with access to fares from more than 100 airline contracts and 50+ low-cost carriers. Agencies can issue tickets automatically and add services such as baggage and seat selection. Automating routine search and ticketing work allows travel professionals to devote more time to customers and the situations that call for their expertise. Knowledgeable support is available when bookings require changes or other assistance. Backed by a 47-year reputation in the U.S. travel industry and strong relationships with airline partners, Picasso Travel brings experience to both its technology and client support.
Marketing Solutions
Transforming Cruise Experiences with Innovative Technologies
Anders Karlsson, Vice President, Hotel Operations, Virgin Voyages
Revenue Management
Challenges to Data Analysis in Hospitality Industry
Mike Kuzmar, Vice President Business Intelligence and First Analytics, First Hospitality
Hotel and Restaurant Management
Redefining the Future of Hotel Technology
Josh Dow, Vice President, Hotel Technology Strategy & Services, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts [NYSE: WH]
Hotel and Restaurant Management
Leading Food & Beverage with Purpose, People & Performance
Brandon DeVoe, Corporate Director of Food & Beverage, Coral Hospitality
Smart Hospitality
The People behind Exceptional Hospitality
William Grace, Director of Sales and Marketing, The Hotel at Arundel Preserve
IN MY OPINION
Hotel and Restaurant Management
Why High-Tech Hospitality Still Comes Down to People
Rob Esplen, Senior VP, Food & Beverage, Live! Casino & Hotel
LAST WORD
Smart Hospitality
Leading with Support, Accountability and Growth
Ethan Goldberg, Food and Beverage Manager, Kiawah Island Club
IN FOCUS
AI-Driven Revenue Strategies Shaping Hotel Performance
AI revenue management software is advancing forecasting, automation, and analytics to improve hotel profitability and planning.
Travel Spend Optimization Solutions as a Competitive Advantage for Modern Enterprises
Travel spend optimization solutions improve cost control, enhance compliance, streamline employee travel experiences and provide strategic insights for business growth.
EDITORIAL
Advancing Travel and Hospitality through Technology
Our cover story features Navan, Inc. [NASDAQ:NAVN], recognized as the Top Corporate Travel and Expense Management Platform 2026. Its platform brings travel booking, payments, policy controls and expense management into a unified workflow. By applying company policies throughout the booking and spending process, Navan helps organizations improve visibility, automate routine transactions and direct attention toward decisions that require human judgment.
Technology is also reshaping how travel professionals manage the growing complexity of bookings and customer expectations. Picasso Travel, recognized as the Top Travel Booking Technology Solutions 2026, developed its Cockpit platform to bring airline fares, booking options and ticketing capabilities into one environment for travel agencies and tour operators. By combining airline content, automated ticketing and dedicated support, the company helps travel professionals improve efficiency while enhancing customer service.
In hospitality, connected platforms are creating new ways for teams to coordinate experiences. HotelTech IQ, recognized as the Top Event Technology Platform 2026, connects sales, planning and operations teams through a centralized event management platform. Its solution helps hotels and venues streamline coordination, improve communication and deliver more consistent attendee experiences through integrated digital tools.
The issue also features perspectives from industry leaders on how technology is shaping service. Anders Karlsson, Senior Vice President Hotel Operations at Virgin Voyages, discusses the need to balance digital innovation with human connection. Brandon DeVoe, Corporate Director of Food & Beverage at Coral Hospitality, shares why strong leadership, consistent service and an understanding of what guests expect still matter when creating memorable experiences.
Taken together, the stories in this issue show that technology creates the greatest impact when it strengthens the people and processes behind hospitality. We invite our readers to explore these perspectives and the solutions helping travel and hospitality organizations move forward.
