The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) has announced that American Express Global Business Travel (GBT), the world’s leading B2B travel platform, has joined its Society. While several of GBT’s subsidiary companies have been active with ASTA, including Ovation Travel Group and Egencia (when part of Expedia Group), this marks the first time the company as a whole has been an ASTA member.
GBT is a Premium member of ASTA, the membership category for agencies with more than $50 million in annual sales. It is also a member of the Corporate Advisory Council.
ASTA president and CEO Zane Kerby said there has never before been a need for a trade group like ASTA as the industry navigates the coronavirus crisis. He said, “The Society is 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 senior vice president of partner solutions and supply marketplace.
“We view ASTA as a key support system for that work, and are excited about our new partnership.”
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.
