Tourism and airline representation group Aviareps has acquired the UK-based independent business operating under the same name.
The move also sees Aviareps owned UK subsidiary, Aviacircle, join the merger so that all entities will now operate under the one common corporate brand name.
The enlarged Aviareps group, originally founded in Germany in 1994, is now responsible for 250 clients internationally, and employs 650 staff across 55 offices in 43 countries.
Aviacircle will be renamed as Aviareps UK with Robert Keysselitz heading the UK operations as managing director.
Former joint chief executives, Bill Roff and Robin Dobson, will become consultants to the Aviareps Group whilst also fulfilling business development roles, the company said.
The newly merged Aviareps UK will be responsible for aviation clients such as Bangkok Airways, Ukraine International, Gulf Air, Philippine Airlines, Air Astana, Air Madagascar, Air Botswana and Air Arabia Maroc.
They join an existing client list which includes I Love NY, Ontario Tourism, Value Retail, Hawaii, Caribbean Airlines, Hawaiian and Azul Airlines, The Basque Country, Chile Tourism and Idaho Tourism.
Group chairman and chief executive, Michael Gaebler, said: “Our similar corporate names and dedication to client satisfaction and excellence makes this exciting development a natural marriage.
“Our decision to further invest and expand our commitment within the UK tourism industry reflects our confidence in the future development of this market for inbound, outbound and domestic travel.
“Through this action we have expanded the number of market specialists and competencies within our operations to fully benefit and provide greater value for UK tourism authorities, airlines, airports, trade promotion organisations, retail brands, hotels and resorts, to easily access a fully integrated global network that understands their needs by delivering results.
“Similarly, our global network of clients will now have an expanded and fully integrated specialist team on the ground within these three markets to provide greater access than ever before to their local tourism and travel trade professionals, media and consumers.”
Roff added: “Through this merger our clients and all related parties can progress confidently knowing that not only will they have access to exceptional expertise in GSA, representational and marketing services, but also be in association with what is now one of the leading such entities within the UK market, and the leading entity globally.”