American Express Global Business Travel (GBT), a leading business partner for managed travel, has completed the acquisition of Egencia, a leading digital travel management platform. As part of the transaction, Expedia Group has become a shareholder in GBT and has also entered into a long-term agreement to provide accommodations supply to GBT.
GBT will accelerate investment in the Egencia brand, its people and technology, the company reports. Teaming Egencia with GBT’s Supply MarketPlace, one of the most comprehensive sources for content and experiences in business travel, provides customers with more value and choice and offers suppliers enhanced access to business travelers.
Paul Abbott, CEO, GBT, said, “Bringing GBT and Egencia together will create a winning formula that will define the future of travel. We will provide unrivaled value, choice and experiences to customers. Unrivaled value because together we’ll have the best content and deliver the best savings. Unrivaled choice because no one comes close to the breadth and depth of solutions we will offer. And unrivaled experiences because we have the best people and technology in the industry.”
Mark Hollyhead, president, Egencia, said, “Today is a significant moment in realizing the next important chapter for Egencia. Becoming part of an organization totally focused on business travel will accelerate Egencia’s growth and amplify what we do best—offer technology-driven solutions that address the ever-evolving needs of business travel and its many stakeholders.”
“We are pleased to see Egencia grow with this new opportunity, especially as business travel comes back,” said Ariane Gorin, president, Expedia for Business. “At Expedia Group, we power thousands of partners around the world with our best-in-class technology and vast inventory. Closing this deal, including our long-term agreement to provide lodging supply to GBT, is an important step forward in our ambition to power the entire travel ecosystem and help all of our partners achieve their goals.”
With the close of the transaction, Hollyhead will continue to lead the Egencia business, reporting directly to GBT CEO Paul Abbott and will join GBT’s executive leadership team.
