# Fellow Talk | Why the Future of Travel Still Needs People

_Fellow Talk · Fellow Talk · Published 2026-09-28 · Source: https://fellow.partners/insights/fellow-talk-why-the-future-of-travel-still-needs-people_

In this Fellow Futures episode, Anthony and Paul are joined by Karen Hutchings, Director at Cobb & Hutch Consulting, whose career spans airlines, business travel and major global travel, meetings and events programmes.

AI can plan an itinerary, personalise a journey and remove friction from the booking process. But when something goes wrong, travellers still want a person.

In this Fellow Futures episode, Anthony and Paul are joined by Karen Hutchings, Director at Cobb & Hutch Consulting, whose career spans airlines, business travel and major global travel, meetings and events programmes.

Together, they explore why business travel’s ageing systems are overdue a rethink, how expectations from leisure travel are reshaping the corporate experience, and where AI can genuinely make journeys better.

They also discuss blended travel, digital detoxing, the growing demand for authentic experiences, sustainability, volunteering and why tomorrow’s travellers will need to understand the different value offered by technology and people.

The conversation builds on [Fellow’s report,](https://fellow.partners/insights/transforming-travel-brands-for-tomorrows-travellers) Transforming Travel Brands for Tomorrow’s Travellers.

Listen: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3ARruhlwerdlJgbnvdFFLc?si=0I70VM2ORlS_Ppgxwi_hPA