Finnair subsidiaries Finland Travel Bureau and Area have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that, if realised, would merge the two companies into the largest Finnish business travel agency. The aim of the plan is to improve the possibilities to offer Finnish companies and organizations innovative services tailored to business travellers’ needs both within the region and internationally.
If implemented, the plan would see Kirsi Paakkari , Managing Director of Finland Travel Bureau, become the Managing Director of the merged company.
? Combined, the two companies have nearly 200 years of experience in Finnish business travel. We will offer customers the best possible combination of the services, service competence and modern technology of the two travel agencies, says Kirsi Paakkari. ? Thanks to our international partner network, we are a strong partner capable of serving major international corporations while also being an agile and local provider that meets the needs of domestic customers.
The merging is planned for December 2013. During the planning phase, customer service and customer relationship management operations will remain unchanged.
The aim of merging the two travel agencies is to achieve volume synergies and significant reductions in costs by eliminating overlapping functions. For this reason, employee consultations will be initiated at Finland Travel Bureau and Area regarding the plans.
Combined, Area and Finland Travel Bureau currently have some 230 employees. Their combined sales in 2012 amounted to approximately EUR 260 million. Finland Travel Bureau’s international partner is the world’s leading business travel chain, American Express Business Travel, and Area’s international partner is the modern business travel agency network GlobalStar.
Further information: Finnair Media Desk tel. +358 9 818 4020, comms(a)finnair.com
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