8 August 2014

CTM Announces Further USA Expansion

Corporate Travel Management (ASX: CTD) has today announced the acquisition of Avia International Travel (Avia), a travel company based in Houston, Texas effective 01 September 2014.

This latest extension to CTM’s US footprint further cements the award-winning travel management company as a significant player in the North American market, operating in 17 cities across 7 states.

Avia has operated for over 17 years in Houston, one of the biggest travel markets in the world, providing predominantly corporate travel services with a strong niche in the Oil, Gas and Marine sectors.

CTM’s Managing Director, Jamie Pherous cited Avia’s geographic location, expertise in the Oil, Gas and Marine sectors, scale and strategic alignment as key drivers for the acquisition. “We are delighted to have Avia become part of the CTM team. It possesses all the qualities that we look for, having a great service reputation, a dedicated team and great “hands on” management. This combined with our successful and well established offices throughout the USA will allow us to better leverage our combined buying power, client facing solutions, and support expertise moving forward.”

The President of Avia, Antonella Ballatori said, “The opportunity to become a part of the wonderful team that CTM has built will allow us to enhance our product and service offering to our many clients. By expanding our global reach as part of CTM, Avia will add new opportunities to network both US and international clients and work with the other CTM offices to support their US-based clients as well. Our employees will see new and exciting career opportunities evolve as a result of our future growth initiatives.”

Ballatori added “CTM has a unique culture of empowerment, which has a significant benefit in allowing us to continue to be creative and responsive in our effort to provide our clients with enhanced, customised travel solutions.”

CTM has long led the resource travel market in Australia with customised technology and services tailored to the mining and resource markets. Avia’s expertise in these sectors further complements CTM’s strong value proposition to this sector particularly in Australia, Singapore, Texas and Alaska.