BTN Expert Q&A

American Airlines has re-dedicated its efforts to the corporate market after its previous New Distribution Capability strategy didn't go as planned. They've focused on restructuring their corporate sales team, renegotiating agreements, and enhancing international presence. American Airlines is committed to meeting customers... Keep Reading

The five-year-old Travel and Meeting Society last month held its second annual Ignite educational conference in Phoenix. TAMS executive director Phyllis Tess recently talked with BTN's Chris Davis about TAMS' niche in the business travel industry, new initiatives and the future of the association's program for startups.... Keep Reading

AAHOA is collaborating with Kalibri Labs to analyze the impact of U.S. federal policy changes on hotel markets. AAHOA CEO Laura Lee Blake discussed market concerns, particularly slow bookings and labor shortages amid economic uncertainty.... Keep Reading

Barcelona-based TravelPerk over the past several years has boosted its footprint through the acquisitions of Click Travel, AmTrav and Yokoy. TravelPerk president and COO Jean-Christophe Taunay-Bucalo talked about how the acquisitions fit into the company's larger strategy, its implementation of AI and its continued effort to... Keep Reading

TMC Fox World Travel has set aggressive growth plans for the next several years, having already recently doubled the size of its sales team. CEO Chip Juedes spoke recently with BTN's Michael B. Baker about his strategy to grow Fox without acquisitions, the TMC competitive landscape and Fox's strategy in keeping up with data... Keep Reading

The U.S. hotel market is expected to see growth in 2025, with corporate transient demand showing near-term strength that may moderate due to factors like economic uncertainty and changes in corporate travel behavior post-pandemic.... Keep Reading

Nearing her first anniversary at the helm of Direct Travel, CEO Christal Bemont now is in charge of the servicing side of creating Steve Singh's long-running vision of "the perfect trip" for business travelers, built off the technology of his other investments, Spotnana, Troop and Center. She spoke recently to BTN's Michael... Keep Reading

Serko recently completed its $12 million acquisition of GetThere, making it the second-largest corporate online booking provider in North America. CEO Darrin Grafton discusses that and a host of other investments he hopes will shift the industry.... Keep Reading

Partnership Travel Consulting, a travel management consultancy headed by Andrew Menkes, on Jan. 1 acquired Fare Audit, Inc., a corporate travel audit firm. BTN's Donna M. Airoldi spoke with Menkes about the purchase, Fare Audit's offering and future plans. ... Keep Reading

Kari Wendel has joined HRS as VP of Meetings, focusing on redefining HRS's market approach with a new focus on payment and data.... Keep Reading