Kuoni parent sells corporate travel arm to American Express GBT

Wednesday, 04 Sep, 2019 0

American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) has completed its acquisition of DER Business Travel, the corporate travel arm of Kuoni’s parent DER Touristik Group, for an undisclosed sum.

The purchase will expand GBT’s footprint into Germany’s small and mid-sized clients sector while DER’s travel management will be enhanced by GBT’s international scale and global network.

In addition, DER’s corporate clients will have access to GBT’s travel and expense eco-system and core technology platform.

GBT senior vice president and MD international Elyes Mrad said GBT’s scale and technology combined with DER BT’s expertise and relationships in Germany creates a ‘new and stronger value proposition’ for German businesses.

"DER Business Travel has been a highly-regarded travel management company in Germany for many years. The acquisition expands GBT’s footprint into the small and mid-sized client segment in Germany, and is positive news for DER BT’s clients," he said.

"While they will continue to benefit from local servicing expertise, access to GBT’s global reach, scale and end-to-end travel and expense eco-system will bring many opportunities."

The DER BT brand will remain in place, for the time being, said GBT.

GBT was created in 2014 as a joint venture partnership between American Express and an investor group led by Certares. The business has focused on extending its global reach and scale with several acquisitions, including the purchase in July 2018 of the Hogg Robinson Group.

GBT said it ‘will continue to look for opportunities to grow where value for the business, our clients and their travellers can be found’.

Linsey McNeill

Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk

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