The corporate travel segment has had huge investment rounds poured into it in the past year, with startups in the space claiming it needs fixing.
Longer term observers of the sectors are a little more sceptical of the so called "disruptors" and often question whether they offer anything different.
As founder and senior director of investment firm Certares and executive chairman of American Express Global Business Travel, Greg O’Hara is well-placed to comment.
During an executive interview at the Phocuswright Conference in Florida last month, O’Hara discusses how the Amex GBT joint venture between American Express and Certares came about in 2013.
He also talks about current developments in airline distribution such as IATA’s New Distribution Capability and on the high valuations of startups in corporate travel (TripActions et al).
O’Hara contrasts some of those large funding rounds to the sums Amex GBT invests in technology as well as the company’s potential to make further acquisitions and grow further.
Executive Interview American Express Global Business Travel - The Phocuswright Conference