Industry-first move allows Hilton to deliver its own content directly onto Navan’s managed travel platform.
In a move that could transform hotel distribution in corporate travel, global AI-powered business travel and expense platform, Navan, will become the first travel management company (TMC) to integrate directly with Hilton's Central Reservation System (CRS) and content.
TMCs have long used intermediary reservation systems for bookings, which limit the amount and type of hotel information that can be displayed.
Bypassing this link in the distribution chain, the integration of Hilton’s application progamming interfaces (APIs) into Navan’s marketplace effectively gives hotels greater control of retail and marketing.
With the Booking API, Navan will access real-time rates and availability from Hilton's CRS.
And for the first time, the Content API implementation will allow Hilton to deliver its own property and room information directly to Navan's booking platform.
According to the partners, the “new level of access to Hilton’s portfolio” can also translate to greater choice and value for Navan users.
Hilton and Navan are also eager to highlight how rich content that comes directly from hotels can “reduce discrepancies and improve traveller confidence”.
Another benefit for corporate bookers is greater consistency and streamlining of payment acceptance across the chain’s global portfolio, the two said in a joint statement.
Dane Molter, SVP of Group Travel Marketplace at Navan, said that the direct connection affects the corporate user experience from hotel search through to booking and checkout.
Frank Passanante, SVP and global head of sales and HRCC at Hilton, added: “We are evolving the hotel distribution model and delivering direct connectivity that better supports how corporate customers book, manage and experience travel.”
The partners also expect this industry-first move to pave the way for further collaborations on automation and post-booking capabilities down the line.