Megatrends 2021: Brands That Embrace Agility and Flexibility Will Be Equipped for the Future of Travel


Megatrends 2021 AMEX agility and flexibility

Skift Take

The Covid-19 pandemic proved that brands that are able to quickly evolve their offerings to meet the shifting needs of customers are the ones that will not only survive, but come out stronger through their ability to adapt. The importance of embracing agility is one lesson brands can take into 2021 and beyond.
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When Covid-19 paused travel last year, American Express Travel acted quickly to revamp its offerings to meet the new realities of its Card Members around the world. The move showed the need for brands to innovate and adapt on the fly – something that will undoubtedly continue to be necessary when travel begins to rebound.

SkiftX spoke to Audrey Hendley, president of American Express Travel, about the company’s outlook for travel’s return, how the company pivoted its offerings during Covid-19, and its expectations for traveler habits going forward.

SkiftX: What’s your outlook on where travel will be, looking toward 2025?

Audrey Hendley: The future of travel is strong, and we believe it will eventually return to the level it was at in 2019. There is pent up demand for travel right now. In our October 2020 Amex Trendex survey of consumers across the U.S., U.K., Mexico, Canada, Australia, Japan, and India, 84 percent of people said that