The Online Travel Company has embarked on the first leg of its global expansion plans with two overseas acquisitions.
It has joined Australian-based consolidator and seat broker Concorde International Travel to buy Sydney operator Breakaway Travel Club in a shares plus cash deal.
The company has also bought Dublin travel agency Viva, which claimed a #1.8 million turnover last year.
Online Travel will take a 50 per cent stake in Breakaway - which has 15,000 travel trade members and was formerly owned by Transmedia. It plans to develop the firm`s online technology and launch an agents` travel club. Meanwhile, Viva will be rebranded by January.
The agency has eight staff and mainly handles leisure travel. But Online Travel managing director Mark Jones said he hopes to exploit the agency`s business travel division as many large US companies have offices in Ireland. He also hopes to boost Viva`s support to existing clients in Ireland.
Mr Jones said: “Our recent expansion has enabled us to strengthen the niche aspect of our business.”
Mr Jones added Europe was the next target for expansion.

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