Vision Travel Joins Forces with Direct Travel

TORONTO, MONTREAL and DENVER, April 10, 2017 /CNW/ - Vision Travel, the largest independent travel management company in Canada, today announced an agreement to merge with Direct Travel, Inc., one of the top travel management companies in the United States.  Vision Travel will continue to operate in Canada under its existing name and brand. 

This move is the first step toward a shared strategy to build a global company.  Vision's executive team will remain in place: Brian Robertson will continue as President of Vision Travel, Ontario West Region, and Joel Ostrov will continue as President, Quebec East Region, working in tandem with Direct Travel's executive team.

"Coming together with Direct Travel makes sense for our business in North America," says Brian Robertson, President, Vision Travel (Ontario West).  "Our companies share the same values and commitment to providing our customers with high quality services, and a more personalized approach to travel."

The combined companies will enhance services by extending their global reach, allowing them to fulfill the unique needs of their local markets through stronger relationships and more buying power across one organization.  Together, Vision and Direct Travel will provide customers with more choice, while allowing them to continue to work with their established and trusted providers.

"We are excited about what this merger offers our customers," says Joel Ostrov, President, Vision Travel (Quebec East).  "We are enhancing our travel management services overall and offering the most advanced technologies to our customers."

With close to 2,000 team members across North America, Vision Travel and Direct Travel represent over $3 billion USD in sales. The expanded organization will have offices in over 60 locations.

Ed Adams, CEO of Direct Travel adds, "This is a tremendous growth opportunity for both companies and will benefit our clients by broadening our position as leaders in travel well into the future." 

The agreement is scheduled to be finalized by April 30, 2017.

About Vision Travel

Vision Travel is a leader in travel management in Canada, employing 725 travel professionals. The company has been providing a full range of corporate, meetings & incentives, leisure and loyalty travel services from coast to coast to a wide spectrum of Canadian companies since 1953. In 2016, Vision Travel was ranked 24^th in North America on the Travel Weekly Power List and is a leading member of Virtuoso, the world's most prestigious travel network.

Vision Travel is committed to a more personalized and responsive approach to the business of travel and this is achieved through customer service, exceptional value and trust.  Our success is a testament to our valued team members.  For more information about Vision Travel, please visit www.visiontravel.ca

About Direct Travel

Direct Travel, Inc. is a leading provider of corporate travel management services, established with the goal to create a best-in-class TMC.  The company has been providing travel management services for over 40 years; working with clients to develop highly customized travel programs.  By leveraging both the expertise of its people and innovative solutions, Direct Travel enables clients to derive the greatest value from their travel program in terms of superior service, progressive technologies, and significant cost savings.  Direct Travel has offices in over 45 locations across the US and the UK, and is currently ranked 15^th on the Travel Weekly Power List.  Direct Travel is also a prominent member of Virtuoso, the world's most prestigious luxury travel network.  For more information about Direct Travel, please visit www.dt.com.

Additionally, Direct Travel offers full-service performance improvement solutions, including meeting and event management, group incentive travel and individual recognition solutions through its wholly owned subsidiary Creative Group, Inc.  For more information, please visit www.creativegroupinc.com.

SOURCE Vision Travel

Media Contacts: Katherine Heydon, FleishmanHillard on behalf of Vision Travel, Tel: [phone] (direct), Mobile: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Emily Ngai, FleishmanHillard on behalf of Vision Travel, Tel: [phone] (direct), Mobile: [phone], Email: [email protected]