American Express Business Travel, the travel management company, has been lauded for its industry-leading technology and travel management services…
American Express Business Travel, the travel management company, has been lauded for its industry-leading technology and travel management services by winning several top industry awards and acknowledgements from the World Travel Awards, InfoWorld Magazine and Travel Trade Gazette Asia.
The company was named the “World’s Leading Travel Company” for business and consumer travel for the second consecutive year and was recognized as having the “World’s Leading Corporate Travel Booking Website” by the independent World Travel Awards. American Express was also recognized for its innovative and superior travel technology by InfoWorld Magazine, which named the new TravelBahnSM Gateway point-of-service and Web-based reservations system tool as one of the premier 100 technology solutions in the country. In addition, earlier this quarter Travel Trade Gazette’s Asia-Pacific readers in their 16th Annual Travel Awards named American Express the “Best Corporate Travel Agency.”
“These awards underscore American Express Business Travel’s unmatched global reach, deep commitment to innovation and technology leadership, and online travel expertise,” said Charles Petruccelli, President, Global Travel Services, American Express. “We are extremely proud and grateful to receive the industry recognition, which only further energizes our commitment to provide savings, service and control to customers of every size, worldwide.”
The 12th Annual World Travel Awards were held in London in which over 165,000 travel professionals from 200 countries voted to acknowledge the best in travel and tourism worldwide.
“The world`s travel professionals have once again recognized American Express Business Travel as the world`s leading travel company, a testament to American Express` unmatched global reach and peerless customer service,” said James A. Khan, Global Sales Director, World Travel Awards. “And in the online arena, one of today`s most competitive categories, American Express also won the travel industry`s accolades, underscoring the company`s dedication to delivering industry-leading technology and innovation.”
“It is especially gratifying to win the world’s leading corporate travel booking Website award as American Express Business Travel celebrates a decade of providing online business travel,” Petruccelli commented. “As the industry’s online pioneer, we are grateful for the opportunity to have served thousands of companies and millions of business travelers over the years. We are looking forward to the chance to serve millions more as we strive to set an even higher standard of ease, effectiveness and functionality in online travel.”
Ôhe InfoWorld 100 Awards recognizes the top information technology projects that creatively meet business and technical needs across a variety of industries. As a travel agent-facing tool, American Express’ Gateway product not only integrates front-end booking tools and systems information – allowing travel counselors to deliver personalized service – but also provides for increased recognition of savings and corporate travel policy control by combining American Express databases with a powerful Web fare search engine.
“The Gateway system was developed with our clients’ needs at the forefront,” said Michael Laughlin, Vice President Global Solutions Development, American Express Business Travel. “It was created to help our clients achieve and maximize control and cost savings over their travel programs through advanced booking and reservation technology. We are honored to have been chosen for this award by InfoWorld from among an extremely competitive field of innovators.”
Ôhe Asia-Pacific region voting online and through a printed questionnaire, Travel Trade Gazette’s 16th Annual Travel Awards recognized American Express as the “Best Corporate Travel Agency” for its unparalleled contributions to the business travel industry within the region. This award follows the American Express China Business Travel Forum, held in April 2005. This was the first-ever event of its kind in China, designed to showcase the business travel industry and further business travel in China, both internally and externally. Earlier in the year American Express also announced the launch of American Express Online in China. This was the first solution designed specifically to address the unique needs of China’s market.
“The Asia-Pacific region is the fastest growing area for business travel in the world,” said Petruccelli. “There is an overwhelming need for travel management expertise, and we are gratified that this award acknowledges American Express’ long-standing commitment to serving this region and helping facilitate its rapid economic growth. American Express will continue to work relentlessly to provide corporate travel solutions across the Asia-Pacific region.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
