A whopping nine finalists have been named in the Business
Travel Awards Europe’s new Innovation in Artificial Intelligence category as
all corners of the industry speed to market their latest automation, agentic
modules and full AI-powered applications. Acai Travel leads the list
alphabetically—working mostly with agency automation and agentic workflows.
Clarasight is in the mix after recently pivoting to AI strategy planning from
its previous focus strictly on sustainability strategy. DGI has made the list
for AI innovation as well, joined by resource planning, payment and expense
platform Emburse along with HBX Group, Oversee, PredictX, SAP Concur and Thrust
Carbon.
Artificial intelligence innovation is one of three new
awards categories featured this year—and one category making a comeback after a
three-year carve out. CIBT, Fragomen Nomadic, Visa Service Desk B.V and VisaDoc
are the finalists in the new Partnership in Cross-Border Services category introduced
in a volatile 2026 as travel managers face both renewed and continuing
challenges in cross-border mobility and documentation requirements for business
travelers. Also new this year is Partnership in Payment or Expense, which
proved another robust category for finalists, with seven competitors still in
the running: Emburse, Hubli, Perk, Rydoo, SAP Concur, UATP and WEX.
Sustainability-focused recognition also returns to the
Business Travel Awards Europe this year in a new form. Following three years in
which BTN Group, parent company of BTN Europe and the Business Travel Awards
Europe, ran dedicated Sustainability Awards programmes in Europe and the United
States, the company has integrated sustainability recognition back into the
BTAs through the new Business Travel Achievement in Sustainability Innovation
category.
The move reflects a shift away from a standalone awards
programme rather than a step back from the issue itself, according to BTN Group
executive director of conference content and strategy Jen Bankard, who manages
the awards process. While U.S.-based companies have become more cautious in how
they publicly communicate sustainability strategies under the current political
administration, and Europe has seen some regulatory timelines slow, the
strength of this year’s finalists underscores continued commitment and
innovation in the region, she said. BCD Travel, DGI, Hubli, Squake and
Travalyst Coalition have advanced to the final round of judging.
Thirty-five travel buyers and independent consultants
comprise the Business Travel Awards Europe judging panel. The panel is
reflective of the industry and includes representatives from across the UK and
Europe, as well as from a variety of industries with managed travel programmes
of varying scope and size. Finalists in all categories are subject to a
second-round proof of achievement that includes submission of additional
materials and for some categories are subject to additional scrutiny and
interviews conducted by the BTN Europe editorial team.
Specifically, the editorial team weighs in on finalists in
the Travel Buyer of the Year and Travel Team of the Year categories. For the
buyer award, four travel managers remain in the running: Mars Inc.’s Alexis
Decourt, Flutter Entertainment’s Ana James, SSE’s Jacquie Peebles and Cambridge
University Press & Assessment’s Michael Strange. For travel team, three
teams now are vying for the top honors: EDF Energy partnered with Corporate
Travel Management, Nokia (internal team on its own) and Wood partnered with
Direct Travel.
For finalists in all 25 categories, check out the
award’s programme pages. To attend the Business Travel Awards Europe event on
30 September at London’s JW Marriott Grosvenor House, get the
information here.