London-headquartered Wings Travel Management (www.wings.travel), global specialists in managing complex travel and people logistics to the energy and marine sectors, is expanding its footprint in the United States with the acquisition of the energy and corporate travel business of Lafayette-based Associated Travel in Louisiana, for an undisclosed sum. The agreement takes effect on 1st November 2019 and is a key strategic milestone for Wings as it gives the company a presence in a second major US energy sector hub, complementing Wings’ existing operation in Houston.
Founded in 1967, Associated Travel (www.ineedatrip.com) is a highly respected and well-established travel management company (TMC) in Lafayette providing tailored online and offline business travel management to Louisiana-based energy sector companies as well as other corporate travel clients. Furthermore, it is also the premier Louisiana-based travel agency serving leisure, film and group travel. Following the sale, Associated Travel will continue serving its leisure and group travel clientele from its current office in Lafayette and CEO Robbie Bush will retain ownership and management of these areas of the business.
Robbie Bush, President, Associated Travel added: “We are delighted to have reached this agreement with Wings Travel Management in terms of our energy and corporate business, which brings a global energy, marine and corporate travel company into our community along with its corresponding positive economic impact. At the same time, we look forward to continuing to service our leisure and group travel customers to whom Associated Travel has provided travel assistance for many years.”
The energy and corporate sector business will operate under the Wings Travel Management brand and day to day operations will be managed by Wings senior management team including Chris Martin, VP Business Development, Americas, based in Houston. All current corporate travel staff of Associated Travel will also become part of Wings Travel Management under the agreement. Wings will also introduce its proprietary mid office system TMA® (Travel Management Application). This cutting-edge software enables all Wings’ offices globally to operate off the identical centralised global platform and database, giving clients real-time traveller tracking, on-demand reporting and access to multiple travel content aggregators seamlessly.
Robbie Bush Associated Travel Tony Sofianos Wings Travel Management