Travelocity Sells Hotel, Conference Division

Travelocity Business UK has sold its UK hotel and conference booking service to specialist Expotel for an undisclosed sum. It will continue to operate as a full service travel management company. Expotel has acquired the First Option name and existing hotel and conference clients.

Travelocity Business president Lesley Harris said: “This sale is intended to focus our ongoing operations while providing hotel and conference clients with a trusted UK travel partner. As the leading hotel booking agency, Expotel is the perfect company to acquire that part of the business.”

Expotel chief executive officer Ian Burnley said: “This acquisition is consistent with our strategy to develop the Expotel business in the UK.” Expotel was acquired in a management buyout in July 2008 at which time the business also acquired NIS Europe, the fifth largest HBA in the UK.