American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) has joined the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA). While several of GBT’s subsidiary companies, including Ovation Travel Group and Egencia (when part of Expedia Group), have been active with ASTA, this is the first time the company as a whole has been an ASTA member.
“Never before has the travel agency sector faced challenges on the scale of those we face today—from governments, from the doom-and-gloom media depressing travel demand to the COVID-19 virus itself,” said Zane Kerby, ASTA’s president and CEO, in a written statement. “Now more than ever, we need a strong national trade association in Washington, D.C. and commend GBT for recognizing that. We are extraordinarily grateful to have a company like GBT in our corner as we fight to help our members overcome these challenges, which threaten both corporate and leisure travel alike.”
“As the world returns to travel, GBT is working hard to deliver more value to clients and to make life easier for travelers as they get back on the road,” said Rajiv Ahluwalia, GBT’s SVP, partner solutions and supply marketplace. “We view ASTA as a key support system for that work, and are excited about our new partnership. GBT looks forward to working with staff and volunteer leaders to support the Society’s advocacy, business intelligence and consumer awareness initiatives.”
GBT joins ASTA both as a Premium member and a member of its Corporate Advisory Council (CAC), a key stakeholder group within ASTA made up of the heads of the Society’s largest travel agency/TMC, consortia, franchise organization, host agency and supplier members.
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