The future of B2B travel technology: professionals prioritize automation and mobile solutions
A global survey by RateHawk reveals that travel agents in Latin America and Asia are the most interested in adopting new technologies, although a significant segment still struggles to adapt
September 10, 2025 – RateHawk released the second edition of its “What Supercharges Travel Professionals” report , based on more than 1,300 surveys of travel agents and operators in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia, and the Persian Gulf. The study identifies the industry’s key challenges and highlights the technology solutions most in demand by professionals.
Among the findings, nearly a quarter of respondents consider intense competition their biggest challenge, especially in Asia (30%) and the Persian Gulf (49%). Added to this are rising client expectations (24%) and the difficulty of maintaining stable revenues (15%), which explains why a third of professionals prioritize commission improvement.
The report also details that searching for deals consumes the majority of agents' operational time, with figures reaching 52% in the Persian Gulf and 44% in Latin America. Activities such as reservation changes (17%) and repetitive administrative tasks (16%) appear to be other critical factors.
Technological adoption is emerging as a key way to address these challenges. Nearly 29% of respondents identify innovation as the most significant opportunity to transform their daily work, with the highest demand in Latin America (44%) and Asia (31%). However, 21% admit to having difficulty adapting to new platforms, with the highest incidence in Asia and North America.
Regarding the most sought-after solutions, automation tops the list with 50% of global interest, followed by mobile booking optimization (33%) and artificial intelligence and advanced analytics tools (34% each). The generational differences are clear: while 40% of younger agents prioritize mobile solutions, only 28% of more experienced professionals consider them a priority.
“Travel professionals see technology as a strategic ally for managing processes, gaining flexibility, and offering better service,” said Astrid Kastberg, CEO of RateHawk. “The future of the industry will require agents capable of combining customer service, data management, and mastery of digital tools. With the right innovation, the sector can grow sustainably in the coming years.”