Global travel management company BCD Travel has acquired Travelocity Business.
Industry insiders believe the move is designed to help Travelocity parent Sabre prepare for an IPO that will take the company public.
“TBiz,” which was launched by Travelocity in 2003, ranks among the 10 largest travel agencies in North America.
BCD Travel plans to continue to service TBiz clients under the TBiz brand.
“We’re a growth-oriented company and see this move as a smart, strategic acquisition,” said Mike Janssen, president of BCD Travel’s Americas region.
Travelocity Business president Yannis Karmis will now serve as president of Travelocity Partner Network.
BCD Travel had $21.2 billion in sales in 2012.
It’s part of BCD Holdings N.V., a privately held Dutch company founded in 1975 that also owns CheapTickets, BudgetAir, Park ‘N Fly, and TRX.
By Cheryl Rosen, Editor TravelMole US
