Tag Archives: B2B

Amex GBT set to acquire CWT for USD 570mn

American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) has agreed to acquire global business travel and meetings solutions provider CWT for USD 570 million.

The planned acquisition would offer CWT’s 4,000 customers access to the Amex GBT ecosystem and create about USD 850 million in revenue, the companies said in a press release. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

“Bringing CWT onto the proven Amex GBT software and services model will create more choice for customers, more opportunities for people and more value for shareholders,” Phil Abbott, CEO, Amex GBT said in the release.
Amex GBT, which is operated by Global Business Travel Group, supplies B2B software and services for travel, expense, and meetings and events, according to the release. Its portfolio covers meetings and events, consulting and sustainability solutions, while its marketplace offers access to a range of other offerings, the release said.

If the acquisition closes, CWT customers would have access to Amex GBT’s software and services for travel and expense — Neo 1, Neo and Egencia — and its solution that allows customers to integrate with technology partners, Select, the release said.

For Amex GBT and CWT, the planned transaction would deliver about USD 155 million in synergies and greater capacity for investment in software and services, per the release.

“Joining forces with Amex GBT helps accelerate our vision of a tech-enabled future for business travel, where people and technology combine to deliver an exceptional customer experience,” CWT CEO Patrick Andersen said in the release. “We are highly confident in the value creation of the combined company.”

 

 

RezLive participates in SATTE

 

RezLive.com, a B2B online travel wholesaler, shares its participation in the SATTE event recently held in Delhi, NCR. The event served as an outstanding platform for RezLive.com to connect with numerous travel agents and hotel partners, establishing connections and showcasing its latest offerings.

SATTE proved to be an opportunity for RezLive.com to fortify relationships with travel agents and partners while introducing them to the company’s innovative solutions and enhanced benefits. The event witnessed a substantial turnout of agents, creating an ideal setting for meaningful interactions and networking.

A feature of RezLive.com’s presence at SATTE was the engaging Happy Hours sessions on Day 1 & Day 2, where agents enjoyed a delightful experience with refreshing beer. This provided an atmosphere for conversations, further strengthening the bonds between RezLive.com and its esteemed partners.

The entire Indian sales team from RezLive.com actively participated in the event, ensuring personalised attention for agents and updates on the latest offerings, including the exclusive RezVault Top Up Bonus. This bonus reflects RezLive.com’s commitment to delivering added value to its partners and facilitating their success in the travel industry.

In addition to the successful SATTE presence, RezLive.com showcased its product, Affiliate.Travel, which is reshaping the travel industry landscape.

Powered by RezLive.com’s vision, Affiliate.Travel revolutionises how travel partners and businesses collaborate. This groundbreaking platform offers a new paradigm in affiliate marketing for the travel sector, providing affiliates with a dedicated sub-affiliate portal that can be customised and offered to their B2C clients or corporates, empowering them to enhance offerings and expand their market reach.

RezLive.com also spotlighted its exclusive loyalty program, RezRewards, at SATTE. This program demonstrates the company’s dedication to rewarding and incentivising its valued partners. Travel agents earn rewards points for every booking made through RezLive.com, which can be redeemed for enticing rewards spanning E-Commerce, Retail, and Cinema. RezRewards underscores RezLive.com’s commitment to cultivating long-term relationships with partners and providing unparalleled value and recognition in the competitive travel industry landscape.

Jaal Shah, Group Managing Director at RezLive.com, expressed enthusiasm about the overwhelming response at SATTE, stating, “We are thrilled to connect with so many agents and partners, and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. Our presence at SATTE underscores our dedication to supporting our partners and delivering unparalleled service and benefits.”

AVIAREPs, Shanghai government launch B2B platform, SmoothTravel to boost inbound to China

Global representation, marketing and communications agency AVIAREPS together with the Shanghai Municipal Government has launched Shanghai’s official online B2B travel platform, SmoothTravel.

SmoothTravel serves as the official gateway for the global travel industry to connect with both inbound and outbound Chinese travel agencies, tour wholesalers, online travel agencies (OTAs), and MICE agents in the East China market.

SmoothTravel aims to seamlessly link international travel businesses with the thriving Chinese travel market. The platform is designed for all segments of the travel industry around the world, including major destinations, receptive tour operators, hotel groups, retailers, attractions, rental car agencies, cruise lines, and more, all eager to broaden their business outreach to the Chinese market.

Key Features of SmoothTravel:

• China Partner Search: SmoothTravel empowers overseas members to identify new inbound or outbound China travel trade partners. Members can easily connect with Smooth Travel’s Member Matching Manager, facilitating introductions to highly-qualified Chinese travel trade partners based on their specific requirements.

• Risk Mitigation: Addressing differences in payment practices, SmoothTravel provides a unique payment guarantee system to minimize risks associated with new China travel industry partners. A comprehensive travel insurance program is also offered for Chinese members to ensure risk reduction for both outbound and inbound sectors. In addition, a bilingual mediation system to resolve any disputes is provided at no cost to members.

• China Outbound Market and Consumer Insights: Leveraging extensive China government and industry resources, SmoothTravel delivers the latest research on China’s outbound travel market, industry trends, and consumer preferences. This includes surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, workshops, and on-site visits.

• Training and Support: SmoothTravel offers a comprehensive two-way training platform with specialised courses for both overseas and Chinese members. All members can access promotion and support during various events in China.

• Market Research: Members can commission SmoothTravel for custom-tailored tourism market research to optimize their market strategies.

SmoothTravel has been designed to revolutionise the way the global travel industry engages with the Chinese market and redefine collaboration and connectivity, providing unparalleled opportunities for businesses to thrive in the vibrant Chinese market.

India emerges as second largest market for Rail Europe in 2023: Björn Bender, CEO and Executive Chairman

In a significant milestone for Rail Europe, India has emerged as the second largest market for train bookings in 2023, marking a historic achievement after nearly three decades of presence in the country.

Björn Bender, CEO and Executive Chairman of Rail Europe, highlighted this development during his visit to India, stating, “In 2023, India has become our second strongest source market after the US, a first in our 90-year history. We saw a 65% recovery from India in 2022, and currently, the company is at 75% of pre-2019 levels. The growth in 2023, at 11% on both B2B and B2C fronts compared to 2019, showcases India’s remarkable progress.”

The growth from India accounted for approximately 10% of total tickets sold across channels in 2023. Bender noted, “India, alongside the US, Korea, Japan, and Australia, has consistently been among our top five markets for the past decade. Now, India has risen to the second position after the US. We anticipate a 20% growth from India in 2024.”

As a regular train traveller logging 75,000 kilometres in 2023 alone, Bender sees the European railway as a EUR 70 billion industry. “We anticipate the European rail sector to experience double-digit growth year on year. Our aim is to accelerate even further; on average, we forecast a 25% growth for the company, contingent upon various geopolitical factors.”

Regarding product preferences from India, Rail Europe has observed high demand for Eurail Pass and Swiss Pass, along with increasing interest in point-to-point tickets. Bender highlighted the unique seat reservation technology available, facilitating agents to book a wide range of options for travellers, including seat reservations for Bernina Express and Glacier Express in Switzerland, which have gained popularity in India. Additionally, seat booking for the Eurail Pass is now offered.

 

Archipelago International strikes a transformative B2B deal with HBX Group to optimise travel experience

Southeast Asia’s leading hotel operator Archipelago International, has strategically partnered with HBX Group, a renowned global B2B TravelTech company. This two-year agreement will leverage the complementary strengths of both parties to drive expansion, enhance travel experiences, and redefine the B2B travel landscape.

Archipelago International brings to the table its extensive expertise in hospitality management, and a portfolio of over 200 hotels spanning 45,000 rooms across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. HBX Group, meanwhile, boasts a global network of more than 71,000 travel distributors across 190 source markets, providing access for Archipelago to clients around the world, including in hard-to-reach areas.

This agreement will enable Archipelago International to tap into HBX Group’s global reach and high-value clientele, expanding its market presence and further solidifying its position as a leading hospitality player.

“We are excited to embark on a strategic partnership with HBX Group, which will undoubtedly propel our expansion and elevate the travel experiences we offer to our guests. HBX Group’s global reach and expertise in the B2B travel sector will be invaluable as we continue to grow our presence in key markets around the world.
This partnership is a testament to our commitment to innovation and our unwavering belief in the power of collaboration to shape the future of the hospitality industry. With HBX Group, we will further strengthen our position as a leading hospitality provider in Southeast Asia and beyond,” said John Flood, CEO and President, Archipelago International.

Through this collaboration, hoteliers will gain access to Enhanced distribution channels. HBX Group’s extensive network of travel distributors will significantly expand Archipelago International’s reach, making its properties more visible to a wider audience of potential guests. HBX Group’s cutting-edge TravelTech solutions will provide Archipelago International’s properties with the tools they need to optimize their operations, enhance guest satisfaction, and drive revenue growth.

Pippa Williamson, VP, Commercial-APAC, HBX Group, said: “As an ecosystem player in the travel industry, we provide our customers with interconnected products and services, offering a seamless experience travellers. Collaborating with Archipelago International will help us to expand our business in Asia-Pacific at a time when travel to this region is in high demand.”