FCm Travel Solutions further expands in Europe

Global travel and expense management specialist, FCm Travel Solutions, is forging ahead with development of its network in Europe with the addition of Poland and the official induction of The Netherlands and Russia.

These respected travel agencies, all of whom have the capacity to service local and multinational companies, have created important strategic links within FCm Travel Solutions’ EMEA network, which was launched in June 2005 with more than 20 leading European travel companies.

Recognised as one of the top 10 business travel agencies in Poland, Warsaw-based Travel Express was established as an American business in Poland in 1994. It has 30 staff offering specialist corporate services, including a VIP executive service, executive leisure operation and dedicated MICE team. In January this year, the company won the highly-coveted AmCham Entrepreneur of the Year award from the American Chamber of Commerce in Poland.

In the Netherlands, FCm Travel Solutions has created a new presence through the well-established Terra Travel Group founded in 1972 by Dutch travel industry veteran Rik J Viezee.  FCm Travel Solutions’ corporate client base will initially concentrate on Rik Viezee’s strong links with international aid agencies, government departments and the Dutch business establishment.

Terra Travel Group consists of three key divisions: Specials Unlimited, a group and incentive travel programme; Baobab Reizen, the original overland tour operation set up 34 years ago; and Summum Reizen specialising in adventure tours.

Meanwhile locally owned Russian Business Travel (RBT) has become a fully fledged inductee into the FCm Travel Solutions network.  RBT was established in 2003 as a subsidiary of the DAVS agency and is one of the leading travel management companies in Russia with nine per cent market share.

The company signed with FCm Travel Solutions last year and employs 80 people across its national network. Clients include major accounts such as Coca-Cola, Schlumberger, Baker Hughes and Philips.

FCm Travel Solutions’ general manager network development, Charles Gregory, said the group’s newest associates would not only strengthen its presence within key European markets, but also add to its growing operations across Asia Pacific and the Americas.

“Each new addition is another link in a growing chain of fully integrated representation which enables us to provide our clients with personal and professional service…first and foremost at a local level, but also globally,” Mr Gregory said.

“Our business strategy is all about controlled and steady expansion, supported by excellent systems and leadership. The progressive roll-out of our EMEA network is critical to ensuring we are both locally and globally competitive. It is not only creating opportunities for us to win new clients within EMEA, but to expand our business with existing regional clients into other regions.

“In recognition of the significance of the Central European region, we are hosting our first management meeting for our network associates, in Budapest at the end of March,” he said.

As part of FCm Travel Solutions’ ongoing expansion, offices throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa are being launched progressively.