TakeTwo Travel Solutions has launched in Ireland, giving it an important foothold to manage UK and European companies requiring travel management services in the eurozone.
It follows the acquisition by TakeTwo CEO Chris Thelen of Eton Travel Group last December. Eton had previously acquired Cork-based CorporateTravel.ie in September 2019.
Although TakeTwo and Eton Travel operate as separate entities in the UK, the expansion into Ireland will see Corporate Travel.ie rebrand as TakeTwo Ireland.
Heading up TakeTwo Ireland is travel industry veteran and former co-owner of CorporateTravel.ie, Paul Sexton, in the role of General Manager.
Sexton and his team plan to enhance service options for existing and prospective clients in Ireland and across EMEA and offer “innovative new technology solutions and specialist meetings and events services” with the support of Take Two’s global and transatlantic reach.
TakeTwo also plans to build its team in Ireland whilst supporting employees in a new-age hybrid and home-working environment.
Sexton said the two companies share a passion for “personal service and building client trust”, making the rebrand “the perfect fit”.
“TakeTwo also has a unique and unbiased approach to its technology solutions because the TMC has started afresh without being encumbered by any legacy systems,” he added.
“The launch of TakeTwo also comes with great optimism and opportunities as the TMC already has a strong presence in North America. With a diverse international workforce and comprehensive global air connectivity, offering the only US pre-clearance facility in Europe, Ireland is an ideal hub for organisations seeking a European base.
“There are also around 800 US companies operating out of Ireland or headquartered here, and thousands of UK firms have registered companies in Ireland since the UK left the EU. We’re confident there is huge potential for TakeTwo to grow our business in this market.”
Thelen added: “We are aiming to shake up the TMC landscape by introducing international companies based in Ireland to our alternative unbiased business travel management solution, which is vastly different to the impersonal and inflexible offering of the traditional mega global TMCs in this market.
‘Furthermore, TakeTwo is well placed to service these organisations because we are already established in North America with offices in Boston, New York, Houston and Los Angeles. Plus, Ireland gives us an ideal foothold into Europe, as it’s perfect for UK companies who want their Irish subsidiaries or European subsidiaries serviced in the eurozone. For ticketing purposes, we can also service customers in euros, US dollars and GBP.”
