Hickory, eTravCo Form Worldwide Agent Network

Hickory Travel Systems and eTravCo announced the formation of a worldwide travel agent network that will be a market-leading travel service provider based on Hickory Travel System’s corporate travel services and eTravCo’s leisure travel consortium.

The new venture will build upon eTravCo’s consortium position and commitment to exceptional supplier contracts and Hickory’s position as a leading travel agency super-network.

The combined buying power of these two industry leaders creates a one-stop shop for the vendor needs of both leisure and corporate travel agents. The venture is positioned to be the logical choice for corporate agencies, leisure agencies, brick-and-mortar agencies, online agencies, corporate travel departments, home-based agencies, and agency start-ups.

Hickory Travel Systems of Saddle Brook, N.J., was founded in 1976 to provide basic support services and enable agency owners to pool their buying power. Hickory now offers 24/7 reservation services, international sourcing opportunities, international rate service, preferred rate hotel program, revenue enhancement programs, fulfillment services, travel technology, automation and networking opportunities. Hickory Travel Systems has affiliates in 40 countries representing over 3,000 locations worldwide.

Founded in 2001 and based in State College, Penn., eTravCo is the third-largest travel consortium in the United States and does $3.3 billion in sales, 950+ agency members with 2,850 agents in 41 states, and more than 60 national vendors. It operates a series of destination-based travel booking websites under its Town Travel brand, and a discount travel website under its BookAirlineTickets.com brand.