As from 1 March two strong brands are cooperating in the business travel sector: American Express, a leading provider worldwide in business travel management, and FIRST Business Travel, the business travel sector of TUI Leisure Travel, are entering into partnership to look after small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Germany. The two companies believe that the combination of American Express’s global offer and network and FIRST Business Travel’s local presence will yield special added value for customers.
The SMEs segment will continue to grow strongly as far as business travel is concerned. The aim of the new link-up is to quickly penetrate the market. One of the strengths of American Express is the individual and global service it provides to major customers and mid-sized companies. “Through the cooperation with FIRST Business Travel we will now be able to reach the SME segment better in Germany. The personal and professional service and the strong regional presence of our partner will optimally complement the American Express offer,” explains Marc Hildebrand, Vice President & General Manager for Central Europe at American Express Business Travel.
In return American Express will be contributing its extensive know-how, its experience and its holistic business concept in the business travel sector along with the tools it deploys such as benchmarking, consulting and a worldwide hotel and hire car programme. For FIRST Business Travel American Express is the ideal partner. “American Express not only has a comprehensive global network but also the strongest global brand. This will enable us to meet the requirements of our branches and franchise partners, says Peter Wittmann, Head of FIRST Business Travel. “Many of our SME customers have international branches and need harmonised solutions for efficient purchasing and cost management,” states Wittmann.
The importance of German small and medium-sized enterprises as a growth segment is highlighted by a current study conducted by the German Business Travel Association (VDR). This shows that in 2005 around 150 million business trips were made, of which 84 per cent were by small and medium-sized firms. The total volume of business trips made by SMEs amounted to 38 billion euros, which represents considerable potential for the new partnership between American Express and FIRST Business Travel.
About American Express
American Express Business Travel, a division of travel and finance service provider American Express International, Inc., develops solutions worldwide for optimising travel management at companies. As a global service provider the Business Travel division supports small, mid-sized and internationally active companies across all sectors in the planning, implementation and control of business travel management.
Through innovative travel booking technology, comprehensive advisory services in the development of purchasing strategies and support in negotiations with suppliers and customers American Express Business Travel provides professional purchasing and mobility management.
With 2,200 travel agencies in more than 140 countries and regions American Express Business Travel has one of the biggest travel agency networks worldwide. In 2006 total sales revenue amounted to 21.8 billion dollars.
About FIRST Business Travel
FIRST Business Travel is the business travel sector of TUI Leisure Travel and pools the expertise of the business travel units for the three brands FIRST Business Services, Hapag-Lloyd Reisebüro and TUI ReiseCenter. FIRST Business Travel offers travel planning, travel organisation, local support, billing and controlling from a single source, in particular to small and medium-sized companies.
TUI Leisure Travel GmbH is a wholly-owned subsidiary of TUI AG, Europe’s leading travel group. TUI Leisure Travel pools all the travel activities handled through the company’s sales outlets. These include around 980 franchise and cooperation partners as well as around 430 branch offices.