Advantage Travel Partnership has taken control of global travel organisation Worldwide Independent Travel Network (Win).
Advantage increased its quarter share in Win – which represents travel management companies across 70 countries – to 95%.
The undisclosed investment positions Advantage as the only UK consortium to have a worldwide arm that ensures members gain greater access to an international network with multinational expertise.
Win was formed in 1985 as an international consortium model between Advantage (UK), Travellers Choice (Australia), Sure Travel (South Africa) and Schmetterling (Germany) to share, collaborate and create a strong buying network.
Advantage will now direct Win to ensure relevance for Advantage members, with Schmetterling retained as a minority shareholder to keep a foothold in mainland Europe through one of Germany’s leading travel and technology businesses.
Advantage members will be able to develop closer relationships with 6,000 affiliated global offices, as well as growing direct hotel partnerships through the Win corporate hotel programme, which comprises 28,000 properties worldwide.
Advantage managing director, Julia Lo Bue-Said, said: “Advantage is focused on investing in our membership offering and the investment in Win supports this by providing fantastic growth opportunities for members of Advantage.
“Members will be given exclusive products to create strong content and deals for clients, which will be strengthened further by building direct relationships with international hotel chains, through Win.
“We are thoroughly impressed by the work Win has undertaken, led by Neil Armorgie, CEO of Win, and we are delighted that the team will continue to lead the organisation through the next phase of its story.”
Armorgie said: “The acquisition by Advantage Travel Partnership will enable a joined-up approach across international waters that provides Advantage members with a strong international offering from the current services offered.
“It will also provide business partners with the opportunity to stretch their reach through the Win global partner network.
“This is an exciting opportunity for the whole Win central office team, to continue to grow internationally, increase our product offering and work more closely with Advantage, to the benefit of all our members in the UK and worldwide.”