–American Express Global Business Travel and KDS start work on integrating solutions to offer traveler-centric digital tools to travel managers and travelers–

Paris/London – Tuesday, October 4, 2016 – American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) today announced the completion of the acquisition of KDS, a global provider of integrated travel technology headquartered in France. Announced in August, this acquisition is part of GBT’s broader investment strategy to develop a suite of integrated digital services for business travelers, bolstering its core technology platform with KDS’ integrated travel SaaS technology.

GBT Chief Executive Doug Anderson said: “The acquisition of KDS is pivotal for GBT. We are focused on providing solutions that optimize the traveler experience within the managed travel environment. Our strategy is to develop and acquire the tools to deliver on that objective. KDS allows us to offer the first seamless end-to-end shopping and booking experience centered on today’s business traveler.”

Dean Forbes, CEO of KDS, said: “The immediate focus will be on developing our solutions further as part of a global travel leader and continuing to work with all our partners and customers for the benefit of their business travel. It is something about which we have always been passionate, and we now have the reach to make it a reality for an even broader audience.”

All KDS employees will today officially join the GBT family of 12,000 employees globally.  There is no expected change in the KDS management team and the company will continue to operate in its current office locations.

American Express Global Business Travel will continue to work with and support other online booking tools across global marketplaces.

About American Express Global Business Travel 

American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) equips companies of all sizes with the insights, tools, services and expertise they need to keep their travelers safe, focused and productive while on the road. With approximately 12,000 employees and operations in nearly 120 countries worldwide, GBT empowers customers to take control of their travel programs, optimizing the return on their travel and meetings investments, while, more importantly, providing extraordinary traveler care.

Learn more at amexglobalbusinesstravel.com and amexglobalbusinesstravel.com/content/. Follow us @ twitter.com/amexgbt.

American Express Global Business Travel (“GBT”) is a joint venture that is not wholly-owned by American Express Company or any of its subsidiaries (“American Express”). “American Express Global Business Travel”, “American Express” and the American Express logo are trademarks of American Express, and are used under limited license.

About KDS

KDS is a global provider of integrated travel technology and industry leader in complete door-to-door trip booking. For more information on KDS, visit http://www.kds.com and follow us @KDS_Innovates.

Media Contact:

Martin Ferguson
American Express Global Business Travel
+44 7789 816 523
[email protected]