BCD Travel takes ownership stake in Dubai partner

BCD Travel takes ownership stake in Dubai partner

BCD Travel strengthens Middle East presence by taking ownership stake in leading Dubai travel management company

UTRECHT, The Netherlands, Feb. 26, 2013 – BCD Travel, one of the world’s leading travel management companies, today announced it has taken a minority ownership stake in its long-time partner in Dubai, which has been operating as BCD Travel LLC.

“Over the past several years, the Middle East has been a consistently strong economic performer,” said Joop Drechsel, chief executive officer of BCD Travel. “Our investment in Dubai enhances our ability to support companies and travelers in this dynamic region. It’s a natural outgrowth of our long partnership with a solid company that already services many of our top multinational customers.”

With annual revenues of US$57 million, BCD Travel LLC is one of the United Arab Emirates’ leading travel providers. It has been BCD Travel’s partner since 2006, and has three offices in Dubai. In addition, the agency maintains onsite teams of travel consultants at multiple corporate offices.

Khalid Al Rostamani, vice chairman of AW Rostamani Group, holds the majority of the remaining ownership shares. The AWR group is one of the United Arab Emirates’ largest and oldest family business conglomerates.

“The Middle East is becoming increasingly important to travel buyers whose companies do a lot of long-haul flying,” said John Snyder, BCD Travel global president and chief operating officer. “Our strengthened partnership with BCD Travel LLC signals our commitment to providing the levels of service buyers expect in every region key to their success.”

Khalid Al Rostamani, who also serves as chairman of BCD Travel LLC, Dubai, said: “Strong partnerships are key to flexible and efficient responses to rapidly evolving markets, technologies and customer needs. This kind of business model has had great success in other areas of our group’s activities. We have proven synergies with BCD Travel, and we look forward to further leveraging our mutual focus on powering our customers’ business success and providing excellent and consistent service to their travelers.”