CI Travel says it’s setting the stage for strong growth by joining the American Express Travel Network, effective May 4. The relationship will allow CI Travel’s Hampton Roads’ offices to offer leisure and business travelers an enhanced array of packages, discounts, and traveler services. CI Travel officials say the American Express Travel Network relationship and other tactics are part of their plan to increase their business by 50-percent within five years.“The global purchasing power of the American Express Travel Network along with its extensive supplier relationships allow us to provide an even broader range of special packages and unique discounts to both leisure and corporate travelers,” said Kevin McElroy, President and COO of CI Travel. “In addition, this allows our customers access to the American Express Network of more than 2,200 Travel Service locations in over 140 Countries and Territories worldwide. While we’ve always been dedicated to providing the best selection and value to our clients, this agreement takes our services to the next level.”
Among other key advantages for leisure customers is a plan ahead/concierge service at vacation destinations. In addition, in coming weeks, CI Travel will begin to offer American Express Travel Network financial services to all customers at its Hampton Roads offices, including fee-free travelers cheques.
“This new relationship further enhances the personalized service and value that we bring to customers, which we believe is critical to our future,” McElroy said. “While a majority of the marketplace uses the internet for part of their vacation planning, experienced travel agents remain in a unique position to provide destination knowledge, proprietary resources,, individual assistance, and security when making the actual reservations, all at little or no extra cost. We see the demand for this combination of services continuing in coming years and we intend to lead the way in meeting it.”
CI Travel will enhance signage at its Hampton Roads’ locations with American Express logos and the phones at its Hampton Roads’ offices will be answered with greetings on behalf of “CI Travel – American Express.”
Formalizing this agreement, coupled with other steps, has set the stage for CI Travel “to achieve a 50-percent increase in both leisure and corporate travel management services in the next three to five years,” McElroy said.
These other steps include creating a new staff function to solicit business in the Washington, D.C. area and merging two offices on the Peninsula into a new location at Yoder Plaza in Newport News to offer seven-day-a-week service and extended hours. The company is also pursuing a merger and acquisition strategy both locally and outside the area. Additionally, CI Travel has completed the process of becoming 100-percent employee-owned.
CI Travel is a $150 million company with 34 years of experience providing high quality travel services. In addition to leisure travel, the company also manages the travel for a number of corporate and government accounts, such as all NASA centers in the country, Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii and the SEC. Headquartered in Norfolk, CI Travel has 212 employee-owners in 35 branch locations in 10 states and the District of Columbia. Both Travel Weekly and Business Travel News have recognized CI Travel as one of the top travel companies in the country. CI Travel has also won the annual “Best of Hampton Roads” awards numerous times. Its web site is www.citravel.com.
