P&OTRAVEL managing director Tony Hughes has predicted that small business travel agencies will begin to form alliances in the coming months.
Hughes said:”It is going to be difficult for small companies in the travel management arena of the future. In order to carry out new roles in business travel management, agencies are going to have to invest in up-to-date systems in order to run efficiently.
“P&OTravel has links in Asia, India and the US and this is the portfolio that other agencies will have. They will need connections on a global level.”
Hughes oversaw the purchase last month of Harvey Thomas Travel for an undisclosed sum, doubling the number of P&O Travel’s UKbusiness travel agencies (Travel Weekly July 26).
He added:”Iexpect there to be some merging. The airlines are keen on alliances and it may be that agencies will go the same way.”