BCD Travel acquires major US TMC

BCD Travel has acquired World Travel Service Inc, a major corporate travel management company (TMC) in the US.

Based in Tennessee, World Travel Services has more than 100 employees and annual sales in excess of US$330 million. It also operates a MICE division called Liaisons Meetings & Incentives. The agency has operated as a BCD affiliate since 2002.

“As a respected travel management company with a strong focus on mid-market corporate customers, World Travel fits our culture and growth goals very well,” said Craig Bailey, BCD’s president of North America.

“This acquisition shows our clear intent to continue to aggressively pursue growth opportunities and acquisitions that benefit our clients by strengthening our position as a leader in corporate travel well into the future.”

The World Travel purchase is the latest in a series of investments BCD Travel has made in recent years. Others have included the purchase of Tbiz from Travelocity and the acquisition of another US-based company, Universal Meeting Management. BCD also recently established a new joint venture in Brazil.

“We’ve established close working relationships with BCD Travel leadership,” said Lamar Shuler, president of World Travel Service. “Together we will continue to thrive, producing value for our customers, shareholders and our staff—who will have greater exposure to how a global company operates and more paths for long-term career growth.”

Following the acquisition, World Travel will continue operating under its existing brand as a business unit of BCD Travel.

sourced:traveldailymedia.com