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MERGER ALERT: Entire Travel Group & CIT Holidays join forces

2018 is shaping up to be the year of mergers, with TMS Talent kicking it off by buying inPlace Recruitment, then roomsXML mixing with getabed, and Alaska Airlines washing away Virgin America.

Now, Entire Travel Group and CIT Holidays have joined forces to form one large European, North America and the Pacific specialist they describe as ‘unrivalled’ in Australia.

Effective 1 July 2018, the merger will see all brands move to the Entire Travel Group’s North Sydney offices and operate under the Entire Travel Group umbrella and Chief Executive Brad McDonnell’s leadership.

Brad McDonnell_Entire Travel Group

Brad McDonnell heads up the two businesses as the Chief Executive.

CIT Holidays’ Owner Peter Newsom will continue to contribute to the business’ future by taking on an active role as a member of the Entire Travel Group’s Board.

Commenting on the merger, McDonnell said he believes bringing together two “highly-complementary businesses” and their expertise will deliver further benefits to Travel Agents.

Additionally, he expects the union to create opportunities to enhance product offering across Western Europe, facilitate investment in agency support services and more.

The two will heat up the industry like a firestorm…

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“Combining our respective knowledge, expertise and experience will allow us to offer our travel agency partners access to an unparalleled range of European products and services, along with the support of an expanded team of dedicated specialist consultants for each destination.”

Brad McDonnell, Entire Travel Group Chief Executive

Newsom welcomed the merger, saying he believes it will create a unique wholesale group and perfectly position the business to meet the needs of industry partners.

Travel Agents have been advised to keep an eye out for further announcements, including the appointment of a high-profile Sales & Marketing Director with responsibility for driving the Entire Travel Group’s trade distribution strategy and managing key industry relationships.

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What are your thoughts on the merger?