BTN Expert Q&A

WTMC CEO Sarosh Waghmar is breaking away from entrenched corporate travel industry paradigms by building proprietary technology and pursuing a New Distribution Capability strategy that he says will disintermediate traditional distribution pathways and make established global distribution systems just another shelf from which... Keep Reading

This summer will mark two years since AccorHotels acquired the FRHI brand. The deal immediately gave Accor presence in North America, which had been a relative white space in Accor's portfolio. But, as with many M&A transactions, early days have been filled with lessons and surprises, and where the companies expected to find... Keep Reading

After years of explanation and debate as a part of the education blitz to build acceptance of its New Distribution Capability standards, the International Air Transport Association views 2018 as the year when it finally begins to focus on pushing transaction volumes in the standard. IATA NDC program director Yanik Hoyles... Keep Reading

It's been over a year since American Express Global Business Travel acquired KDS and Roxana Bressy took over as KDS CEO, following Dean Forbes departure in 2016. The T&E provider kept a low profile last year as it found its footing. KDS also is expanding its team so much that Amex GBT VP of product marketing and innovation... Keep Reading

Three-year-old hotel solutions tech startup Conichi hit the corporate travel scene big in 2016, earning BTN's Innovator of the Year Award and other industry honors in Europe and the U.S. But Conichi—which pitched itself as an agnostic layer of technology that integrates with various hotel systems to deliver such capabilities... Keep Reading

Delta has undertaken a flurry of activity this year in building global alliances and joint business ventures, including significant investments in several of its international partners. Those moves earned Delta CEO Ed Bastian a spot on BTN's 2017 25 Most Influential list, and Bastian spoke with transportation editor Michael... Keep Reading

It's been nearly a year since Norwegian Air Shuttle received its long-sought approval to expand its service to the U.S., heating up competition on transatlantic routes. The low-cost carrier remains in growth mode and is expanding its premium offering, which targets business travelers. While it already maintains large... Keep Reading

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is investigating whether forthcoming biometric facial scans for departing foreign travelers could speed up other airport processes, like Transportation Security Administration checks, baggage tagging, lounge entry and even duty-free purchases. The agency will introduce facial scanning in... Keep Reading

Twenty-one year BCD Travel/Advito executive Bob Brindley has left the mega travel management company and consultancy to join artificial intelligence-driven travel app provider TripActions. He will broker supply-side relationships for the startup, both with content partners and product licensing with agency partners.... Keep Reading

InterContinental Hotels Group CEO Keith Barr assumed his new role as head executive on July 1, stepping up from his prior position as chief commercial officer. But already Barr has ambitious plans for IHG. He spoke with BTN lodging editor Julie Sickel.... Keep Reading