What blockchain in corporate travel could mean for GDSs, TMCs

Although a hot topic for several years now, blockchain is no longer viewed in the industry as that “Bitcoin thing,” but rather as a technology with practical use cases in travel.

According to Johnny Thorsen, vice president of travel strategy and partnerships at Mezi, blockchain is now a widely recognized technology platform, whether referred to as blockchain proper, distributed ledger, Internet 3.0 or a host of other names.

“There are many terms [for blockchain],” Thorsen says, “but we’re only scratching the surface of what it will become.”

Speaking at The Beat Live in New York last week, Thorsen outlines five reasons blockchain technology is needed in travel: unreliable data; highly inefficient integration; conflict of interest; lack of transparency; and cost.