BCD reveals new brand
The new force in business travel, formed after a flurry deals in early January, has been named BCD Travel.
It will operate in 96 countries, have a workforce of 12,000 and currently generates sales of $12 billion.
The group will formerly trade under its new brand after Dutch-based BCD Holdings completes the acquisition from TUI of TQ3 Travel Solutions, likely to be at the end of the month.
The group will comprise TQ3, US-based WorldTravel BTI, The Travel Company and recently signed partners in Latin America, EMEA and Asia.
New chief executive Mike Buckman said the company is positioning itself as the “leading provider of global travel logistics” rather than just a travel management company.
“BCD Travel’s value lies in our ability to deliver a service that eases the burden of the logistics of travel for our travellers while reducing the overall costs of business to our clients,” he said.
BCD Holdings founder and chairman John Fentener van Vlissingen added: “We have listened to our clients and that is why we will become one wholly-owned company with one technology and under one management.
“This is a new approach which requires a new name and I am excited that we have chosen the name BCD Travel.”
BCD Travel claimed it will be the market leader in Belgium, Denmark, Germany and Holland and rank in the top five in the US, UK and Italy.
In a statement, it described its entry into the market as a “new era” for the business travel industry.
It said it will simplify and streamline the travel process through a “single, intuitive technology infrastructure.”
Suppliers and distributors wll have a centralised access to the content, it said, “setting it apart from the competition.”
BCD Travel chairman Joop Drechsel said: “BCD Travel brings together three recognised travel companies and together we will offer solutions that are flexible. Our service philosophy is grounded by the knowledge that all corporations act and move differently.”
Report by Steve Jones
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