Inside BCD Travel: CEO Stephan Baars on AI, Service & the Future of Managed Travel

Inside BCD Travel: CEO Stephan Baars on AI, Service & the Future of Managed Travel

In Season 4, Episode 4 of the Travel Again Podcast, hosts Mike McCormick and Ed Silver welcome Stephan Baars, CEO of BCD Travel, one of the world’s largest privately held travel management companies with operations in more than 170 countries and over $25 billion in annual sales. The conversation explores how business travel is evolving as AI, automation, NDC, and new technology reshape every part of the travel ecosystem. Stephan shares why BCD continues to invest heavily in technology while maintaining that customer service remains the company’s greatest competitive advantage. Topics include: • Why business travel continues to outperform expectations • How AI is changing travel management companies • Why human expertise still matters in an AI-driven world • The future of NDC and airline distribution • Open platforms vs. closed ecosystems • Risk management and duty of care during global disruptions • The evolving role of travel advisors in corporate travel Whether you’re a travel executive, supplier, buyer, technology provider, or simply interested in the future of business travel, this conversation provides valuable insight into where one of the industry’s largest travel management companies believes the market is heading.

The State of Airlines in 2026 | Cranky Flyer’s Brett Snyder Breaks It Down

Are airlines finally stable—or just catching their breath before the next disruption?Industry analyst Brett Snyder (Cranky Flyer) joins Travel Again to break down the real state of the airline industry.In Season 4, Episode 3 of Travel Again Presents, hosts Mike McCormick and Ed Silver sit down with Brett Snyder, founder and CEO of Cranky Flyer and one of the most respected airline analysts in the industry.From record airline profits to rising labor costs, shifting demand patterns, and geopolitical uncertainty, the airline industry is navigating one of the most complex moments in its history.Brett returns to the show to deliver what we jokingly call the “Cranky Airlines State of the Union.”In this episode, we explore:• Why airlines are financially stronger than ever• The growing divide between premium and economy demand• Why ULCC carriers are struggling right now• What Southwest’s strategy changes really mean• How geopolitical risks and fuel prices could impact airlines next• Why consolidation and scale now dominate the industryWe also dive into Brett’s Cranky Network Awards, which celebrate the airline network planners quietly shaping route strategy across the industry.If you want to understand where the airline industry is heading next, this conversation provides one of the clearest perspectives available.

How Amex GBT Is Transforming Business Travel: Paul Abbott Explains the Strategy

What does the Amex GBT + SAP Concur alliance really mean for the future of business travel? CEO Paul Abbott joins Travel Again to give his most detailed public explanation yet.In Season 4, Episode 2 of Travel Again Presents, hosts Mike McCormick and Ed Silver sit down with Paul Abbott, CEO of American Express Global Business Travel, to break down one of the most important strategic moves in the corporate travel sector: the expanded partnership between Amex GBT and SAP Concur.Paul explains how GBT is shifting from a services-led business to a leading B2B software and services company, why they’ve invested more than $1B in product and technology, and how the Concur alliance creates a unified ecosystem for content, data, distribution, AI-powered service, and traveler experience.Together, they explore: • How Amex GBT transformed its business in 3 years • Why the Concur alliance matters for customers, suppliers, and the market • The next phase of modern retailing and NDC • How AI is reshaping traveler experience, duty of care, and agent productivity • What’s required to compete in today’s software-driven travel ecosystemThis is one of the most comprehensive conversations to date about Amex GBT’s strategy and the road ahead for managed travel.Guest:Paul Abbott, CEO, American Express Global Business TravelLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-g-abbott/Hosts:Mike McCormick & Ed Silver — Travel Again Advisory

Northstar + JTB: The Deal That Redefined Travel Media | Tom Kemp Interview

When JTB Corporation surprised the industry by acquiring Northstar Travel Group—the powerhouse behind Travel Weekly, BTN, and Phocuswright—everyone wanted to know why. In this exclusive interview, former CEO Tom Kemp breaks down what really drove the deal and what it means for the future of travel media, events, and AI. In the premiere of Season Four of Travel Again Podcast, hosts Mike McCormick and Ed Silver sit down with Tom Kemp, former Chairman and CEO of Northstar Travel Group and current Chairman of PRA Business Events. Tom offers an inside look at the recent Northstar acquisition by JTB Corp., discussing how the deal came together, why the Japanese giant is making a long-term play in global travel media, and what it signals for B2B information and events worldwide. The conversation explores: * How Northstar grew from 3 brands to 125 global events and $130M+ revenue. * Why JTB’s century-long horizon is a game-changer for travel media. * The future of face-to-face events in an AI-driven world. * Lessons in leadership, culture, and strategic growth from Tom’s career. Whether you’re in travel tech, media, or meetings & events, this episode reveals how the industry’s most influential brands are adapting to massive change and why trust and community still matter most. Guest: Tom Kemp Hosts: Mike McCormick & Ed Silver, Travel Again Advisory

Travel Again Podcast - Interview with Henry Harteveldt | S3E6

TRAVEL AGAIN Podcast presents… The Bi-Weekly Travel Roundup, covering the headwinds and tailwinds Impacting the Business of Travel. This week, we interview Henry Harteveldt, President Atmosphere Research Group.