FCM Travel Solutions ended 2018 on a high in the Middle East & Africa region after winning new business worth US$25 million in the United Arab Emirates from 27 new clients, an increase of 35 per cent on the previous year.

The global travel management company also saw phenomenal average growth of 205 per cent from its top 15 corporate clients in the UAE this year, compared with 2017, and enjoyed 99 per cent client retention year on year.

Organic growth from clients in the region included Majid Al Futtaim, who after working with FCM for nine years in the UAE, expanded its relationship with FCM into Egypt, Oman, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.

Other markets in Africa will also be implemented for this client in 2019.

FCM also extended its relationship into the GCC over the last 12 months with Prada, which was an existing client in Europe.

FCM is now providing travel management services to Prada in Dubai and Saudi Arabia.

Similarly, Dolce & Gabbana, which was already trading with FCM in Europe, expanded its relationship to work with FCM in Dubai over the last year.

Last year also saw FCM focus on deploying its new technology suite FCM Connect to clients in the UAE, as well as online booking tools and travel and expense solutions.

“We saw an increase in clients wanting not only to implement an online booking tool, but also bolt on an expense module,” said Ciarán Kelly, FCM general manager for MEA.

“FCM has partnered on several joint opportunities with SAP Concur in the region to offer both expense and travel solutions across the Middle East and Africa market, and in 2018 we deployed self-booking platforms for over 15 new clients.”

Rounding off a year of success, FCM Travel Solutions was also recognised as the World’s Leading Travel Management Company by the prestigious World Travel Awards.