BTN Expert Q&A

Air Canada significantly has bulked up its U.S. sales force as the carrier prepares for major international expansion during the next several years. Today, the carrier serves about 190 markets and carries 38 million people per year; by 2020, it aims to operate in 250 markets and carry about 50 million people annually,... Keep Reading

In the eight years since Enterprise Holdings acquired the National Car Rental brand, it has invested heavily to increase the corporate-focused brand's standing, according to Enterprise chief strategy officer and executive vice president of global sales and marketing Greg Stubblefield. "National had always been a third tier to... Keep Reading

Cvent Blue Release, Cvent Express and mobile meetings apps were on the docket when BTN editorial director David Meyer sat down with Cvent senior vice president of marketing Eric Eden during the Cvent Connect conference at Las Vegas' MGM Grand, which drew almost 2,500 attendees. Most of the 1,600 meetings buyers among them... Keep Reading

Over the past 12 years, Turkish Airlines has increased its fleet size nearly sixfold from 55 aircraft to almost 300, enabling it to fly "more countries than any other airline in the world." BTN transportation editor Michael B. Baker visited the carrier's headquarters in Istanbul, where a new airport slated to begin a phased... Keep Reading

On Tuesday, Choice Hotels International celebrated the grand opening of its newest Cambria Hotel & Suites, located in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood. It's the first in New York City for the upscale, contemporary brand, and a second Cambria is slated to open near Times Square in the fall. Though New York consistently enjoys... Keep Reading

U.S. Bank is putting its money where its technology is thriving. The bank has made a two-year, multimillion-dollar investment to upgrade its Access Online commercial card management system and mobile app. It also restructured earlier this year, switching from a product-specific operations model to a customer-specific one.... Keep Reading

Cyril Kovarsky joined Accor on April 1 as senior vice president of global sales after serving as senior vice president of corporate sales for business services at Orange, a French multinational telecommunications corporation. He spoke with BTN Group editorial director David Meyer about his approach, including the fact that... Keep Reading

One might assume that Gary Kessler, president and CEO of ground transportation network Carey International, is not a fan of Uber and its fellow on-demand transportation apps. Kessler, however, says the industry owes a bit of gratitude to such disruptors. As travel buyers confront the apps' policy and security ramifications,... Keep Reading

Since Southwest launched flights from Atlanta three years ago, the low-cost carrier has expanded and solidified its position there, not to mention across the United States. Its rise provides travel buyers a bit more negotiating power in their dealings with major carriers, and that’s a boon especially for small and midmarket... Keep Reading

Despite protests from the Big Three U.S. carriers, Emirates plans to add flights to established U.S. routes and open a new one to Orlando later this year. In an interview with BTN transportation editor Michael B. Baker, Emirates vice president of U.S. sales Matthias Schmid said the United States remains the carrier's “key... Keep Reading