Consolidation of two leading travel management brands will deliver
superior servicing and solutions to businesses in Spain
MADRID, Spain--(Business Wire)--American Express Business Travel, a global industry leader in
business travel management, and Barcelo Business Travel, a Barcelo
Group company specializing in business travel, announced an agreement
to come together in a joint venture, combining the expertise and
talent of two industry leaders in the region. Customers will benefit
from access to American Express global product, knowledge and network
and Barcelo Business Travel's local network and expertise. The new
joint venture came into affect at the beginning of 2008 launching a
new identity with presence from both companies.
Charles Petruccelli, President, American Express Global Travel
Services, commented on the agreement, "Partnership is a key part of
our global growth strategy for American Express Business Travel and we
already have a successful track record in operating joint venture
partnerships in Italy, China and Japan. By teaming with strong joint
venture partners we are able to grow in key markets around the world
and strengthen our value proposition. Additionally, we continue to
invest in servicing, innovation and talent to deliver superior global
service standards and expertise with local insight to our clients."
Simon Pedro Barcelo, co-president of the Barcelo Group, commented,
"Today is a very important day for business travel. Two big companies
have decided to join forces and work together, and now offer their
clients the best. It's an honour for the Barcelo Group to share
business travel with American Express."
The new joint venture will bring together a workforce of over 450
business travel professionals in the company's network of offices
across Spain. The expertise and experience these two companies bring
to bear in the market will enable them to offer a specialized service
to corporate customers regardless of size or needs. The new joint
venture will initially be servicing a portfolio of over 400 customers.
According to Angel G. Butragueno, managing director of American
Express Business Travel, "This partnership is about combining our two
talented organizations to deliver increased service and capabilities
to our joint customer base."
Antonio Cursach, managing director of Barcelo Business Travel,
highlights, "The combination of resources and expertise delivers value
to our current and potential customers. Merging the two businesses
enables us to offer solutions that currently do not exist in the
market by drawing on the global influence and capabilities of American
Express together with the capillarity and flexibility of Barcelo
Business Travel."
Under the auspices of this agreement, the new company will offer a
competitive range of products, services and initiatives that address
the needs of the whole of the business travel market in Spain.
Barcelo Viajes, the consumer travel branch of the Grupo Barcelo
travel division, will continue to run independently from this new
entity, albeit strengthened by the synergies in areas such as
contracting and structure resulting from the agreement.
The agreement was signed on December 21st. Angel Garcia
Butragueno, General Manager of American Express Business Travel for
Spain, and Antonio Cursach, General Manager of Barcelo Business Travel
attended the signature ceremony. More information on the new entity
and its strategy in the Spanish market will be available in the first
months of 2008.
About American Express Business Travel
American Express Business Travel, a division of the American
Express Company, is dedicated to helping its clients realise the
greatest possible value from their investment in travel through
increased cost savings, outstanding customer service and greater spend
control. For small businesses, medium-sized enterprises and
multinational corporations, American Express Business Travel provides
a combination of industry-leading booking technology, travel
management consulting expertise, strategic sourcing and supplier
negotiation support and customer service available online and offline,
around the world.
American Express operates one of the world's largest travel agency
networks with over 2,200 travel service locations in over 140
countries and territories worldwide. The Company processed US$21.8
billion in global travel sales in 2006.
American Express Company (www.americanexpress.com) is a
diversified worldwide travel, financial and network services company
founded in 1850. It is a world leader in charge and credit cards,
Travellers Cheques, travel, business services and international
banking.
About Grupo Barcelo
Barcelo Business is part of Grupo Barcelo, one of the most
prestigious players in the tourist sector all around the world, with
75 years of history. It manages more than 150 hotels in 14 countries
and 400 offices, helping more than 2 million clients per year.
Barcelo Business has specialized in big corporations with a high
volume of corporate individual travels and collective travel such as
congresses, conventions, incentives and incentives, which requires
integrated solutions.
Sloane & Company
Elizabeth Fluke, 212-446-1887
efluke@sloanepr.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
