Hilton and AI-powered business travel and expense platform Navan have set out plans for a direct hotel booking connection focused on corporate travel.

The new set-up will link Hilton’s distribution framework with Navan’s booking and travel marketplace platform.

Navan is set to become the first travel management company (TMC) to connect directly with Hilton’s central reservation system (CRS) and content services.

The connection is expected to allow real-time shopping and booking while also giving access to hotel content supplied directly from Hilton.

The integration is being enabled through Hilton-developed APIs [application protocol interfaces] and implemented with Navan’s travel marketplace platform.

One part of the connection will give Navan direct access to Hilton’s reservation system for room availability, rates and bookings.

Another part will provide hotel and room information directly from Hilton, with Navan becoming the first travel management company to use that content capability within its booking experience.

The companies said the arrangement is expected to improve the quality and consistency of hotel content shown to joint corporate customers.

Navan and Hilton are also working on more consistent virtual payment acceptance across Hilton’s global portfolio to reduce friction for travellers and travel managers.

The partnership is also intended to support future developments, including additional automation and post-booking integrations.

Hilton senior vice-president (SVP) Frank Passanante said: “By partnering closely with Navan and leveraging Hilton’s industry-leading technology and commercial expertise, we are evolving the hotel distribution model and delivering direct connectivity that better supports how corporate customers book, manage, and experience travel.”

Navan group travel marketplace SVP Dane Molter said: “Collaborating with Hilton on this direct connection will allow us to deliver superior experiences for users from their initial hotel search through booking and checkout.”