Recap NATM Member Meeting 15 April 2025
🏨 Full House at Van der Valk Den Haag Wassenaar
The most recent NATM member meeting on 15 April was a full house, welcoming both existing and new members. Hosted by Van der Valk Den Haag Wassenaar, the afternoon delivered a strong mix of industry insight and inspiration.
đź’¬ Setting the Stage: Keynotes on NDC
The session on NDC Challenges began with insightful keynotes by Herman Mensink, Kelly Kortekaas, Jan-Willem Wijnolts from KLM, Andries Oprel from Amadeus, and Walter Schut from ANVR.
Each speaker shared their views from their own professional perspective, setting the stage for a dynamic panel discussion.
🤝 Panel Discussion: Bridging Complexity and Collaboration
Moderated by Herman Mensink, the panel—with contributions from Raymond Reedijk (KLM), Andries Oprel, Walter Schut, and Lenny Hornsby (Deloitte)—delved into the complexity of NDC implementation and related developments.
The discussion exposed the technical and organizational complexity across the airline distribution chain and emphasized the need for alignment and cooperation.
As Lenny Hornsby stated:
📣 “Buyers should push intermediaries to deliver flexibility in handling non-GDS (direct connect) content – not just for air but all verticals and understand the buyers' processes to deliver the value buyers are looking for.”
🌿 Hospitality Meets Heritage: A Family Business Story
Alex Luiten, General Manager of the recently renovated Van der Valk hotel, shared the inspiring story of their fourth-generation family-run business and its deep-rooted focus on sustainability, local partnerships, and future-oriented hospitality.
👩‍💻 Looking Ahead: Gen Z and Fintech in Travel
The session concluded with a forward-looking contribution from Alexander Gevers Deynoot, VP Strategic Partnerships at Hopper Technology Solutions, on how Gen Z and fintech are reshaping corporate travel and driving new digital expectations.
🚀 The Take-Away?
The NATM member meeting on 15 April underlined a shared industry need: to future-proof corporate travel by fostering greater collaboration, embracing innovation, and staying aligned with evolving buyer expectations.
Whether through tackling NDC complexities, rethinking hospitality, or adapting to Gen Z’s digital mindset—transformation is not optional, but essential.
