Start-up travel management company TakeTwo Travel Solutions,
which launched in the UK and Europe in September, has brought forward the start
of operations in the US in response to growing demand from clients.
TakeTwo says it has already implemented clients on the east
and west coast of the US and has a pipeline of US$100 million in business. The company has
established operations across the country in New York, Houston and Los Angeles
and currently employees 20 US-based staff.
Melissa Deffet, chief financial officer for TakeTwo North
America, will work closely with CEO Chris Thelen and global CFO Michael Young
and will be responsible for integrating leisure travel into the company’s
portfolio of services. The growing US-based team also includes Tricia Jenkins,
senior client solutions manager; Pam Weber, director of sales for the south;
and Jo-Ann Zebniak, director of sales for the east.
The news comes as foreign travellers have been welcomed back
into the US after more than 18 months of border closures caused by the pandemic.
Business travel bookings to the country from the UK and Europe have surged in
recent weeks, proving there has been pent-up demand while travel has been
restricted.
Founded by former CTM bosses Thelen and Julie Cope, TakeTwo
launched with a strong UK/Europe-based client portfolio. In October, the
company’s total transaction value was 31 per cent ahead of budget, which it attributes
to a combination of increased client travel and new business.
Thelen commented: “We are excited to be launching TakeTwo in
the US in response to client demand and the rapidly changing needs of companies
in this post-pandemic travel era. As US business travellers take to the road again
it is more important than ever to have a hands-on team providing premium,
anticipatory service, but also powerful travel-centric technology and tools.”
Zebniak added: “There is an opportunity to make a
significant difference in this space as road warriors are travelling again in
this post-pandemic world. TakeTwo’s value proposition coupled with its depth of
expertise and razor-sharp focus on customer service are a winning trifecta that
will make the transition to travelling once again seamless for our clients.
This is the perfect time for a fresh start TMC to enter the US market.”