News Roundup: Partnership to get a slice of the Middle East business market in a new deal between Amex GBT and Kanoo Travel, while Sabre’s recently released study details ‘retail revolution’ in the hospitality industry.
Corporate Travel: American Express GBT forms Middle East joint venture with Kanoo Travel
Dubai will be the headquarters of the new JV between American Express GBT and Kanoo Travel.
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American Express Global Business Travel (GBT), business partner for managed travel, has entered into an agreement to acquire a controlling stake in Kanoo Travel, one of the largest travel management networks in the Middle East.
GBT will form a joint venture with parent company YBA Kanoo Group, with each holding a 65% and 35% stake respectively.
The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed. The transaction is expected to close in late 2019 or early 2020, subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions.
Headquartered in Dubai the new JV will have management and operational control of the business and its 500 plus employees. It will provide managed travel and events services to clients in the Middle East.
Kanoo Travel has worked with GBT since 1980, starting as its travel representative in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and then signing a master franchise agreement in 2003 covering North Africa, the Levant, GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) including Iraq and the CIS countries. The company now operates in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman.
“Kanoo Travel has been a trusted, long-term partner for GBT in the region for many years and is known and respected by many of our clients,” said Elyes Mrad, GBT’s managing director, International.
“The creation of the joint venture will enhance how we service those clients and their travellers by combining Kanoo’s region-specific expertise with the backing of GBT’s global scale and technology.”
Added Nabeel K. Kanoo, president of Kanoo Travel, said: “GBT’s global clients, many of whom we already service, stand to benefit from a more consistent global offering because of this joint venture.
“Our own clients in the Middle East will profit in the long term from having access to GBT’s total travel and expense eco-system, proprietary technology and global reach. Our people are also excited by the possibilities that come with being part of the world’s most recognizable business travel brand.”
Hospitality: Sabre shows how hoteliers can transform into retailers in new study
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Global travel technology provider Sabre has released a study that details key consumer trends, which are fuelling the transformation of hoteliers into retailers in what it terms as “retail revolution” in the hospitality industry.
Produced in partnership with TrendWatching, the report reveals how innovative retail and hospitality players are harnessing key consumer trends to drive innovation and improve their guest experience in what it terms as ‘retail revolution’.
Apart from highlighting the trends the report includes actionable insights to create a more personalised experience for guests and provide them with convenience, relevance, fun, recognition and support – the things they crave in today’s retail-driven environment.
Here are some of the trends listed in the report.
Sentient spaces
Travellers are increasingly aware of an ever-growing ecosystem of cameras and sensors. Although sensitive to security concerns they crave personalisation and are willing to share their data to get it. Smart physical spaces, such as retail stores and hotel rooms, are now built with technology ranging from facial recognition to robots that create experiences tailored to the guests.
A-Commerce
Retailers have mastered the use of algorithms and smart devices to increase convenience and serve up intuitive recommendations at crucial moments. Busy travellers will increasingly expect the same experience from their travel providers. Developing capabilities to automate shopping or selection and purchase of activities will allow hoteliers to deliver increased simplicity.
Village squared
Smart retailers are responding to society’s increasing sense of isolation by transforming their spaces in new ways to foster connections and promote social well-being. Hotels, with a myriad of unique and functional spaces at their disposal, have significant, and relatively untapped, potential to maximise their properties.
“Technology is changing the expectations of today’s travellers. They demand flexibility, optionality and a seamless shopping experience that goes beyond booking a guestroom,” said Clinton Anderson, president of Sabre Hospitality Solutions.
“This presents exciting opportunities for hoteliers to extend far beyond their traditional offerings. Hoteliers must pay attention to the consumer behaviours driving this retail revolution and capitalise on the possibilities,” he added.
• Download the full report here.
• Featured image credit (Skyline of Doha, Qatar): danefromspain/Getty Images
