BCD Travel strengthens Asia-Pacific operations by adding Colombo

• With the launch of wholly owned Asia-Pacific Service Center

 ‘BCD Travel’, one of the leading corporate travel management companies (TMC) in the world, based in Utrecht, Netherlands, has achieved a milestone by expanding its market presence and global footprint with a new wholly owned Asia-Pacific Service Center (ASC) in Colombo. This is their fifth Global Service Center in the world after Barcelona, Costa Rica, Poland and India.

Asia-Pacific Service Center in Colombo comes under the Asia-Pacific Headquarters in Singapore. Located at Level 15, One Galle Face Office Tower offering round-the-clock support to ensure efficient programme deployment for clients in Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore the new ASC already has 230 high paying employees and this number is expected to increase to 300 next year. The service center also extends assistance to global clients and to travellers worldwide, providing front-line services during respective out-of-office hours in their regions.

‘Our ongoing global growth strategy relies on investments that benefit our clients, our employees and our corporate culture,’ said Greg O'Neil, President, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa and Global Network, BCD Travel. ‘We are proud to create sustainable development opportunities for new talent as we support our customers’ evolving needs.’

With a mission to help people and companies travel smart and achieve more, BCD offers a comprehensive range of travel-related services and is ranked the world’s second-largest global TMC. Today, BCD serves clients in over 170 countries and employs more than 13,000 personnel, with clients that include 25% of Fortune 500 companies.

The ASC is the latest addition to the company’s portfolio in a multi-year series of investments. Sri Lanka was selected as the home for the ASC for the resilience and tenacity demonstrated by its people, innate culture of service and ease of conducting business. Further, owing to its close connections with Sri Lanka, BCD possesses a deep understanding of the local market dynamics and benefits from access to an abundant pool of skilled talent and favorable market economics. These factors combined have made the country an ideal and strategic location for the new service center.

The ASC operation is led by Pradeep Kumar, Executive Director, BCD Travel Asia-Pacific Service Centre, and his local leadership team. The company expects the ASC to be one of its largest operations in APAC by the end of 2023, with an expanded employee base of 300 by 2024.

‘The new Service Center in Sri Lanka reinforces BCD Travel's strategic position in the Asia-Pacific market by enhancing services in a region where business travel demand is growing,” said Kumar. “It also allows us to leverage our robust technology infrastructure and reflects our commitment to aligning resources to deliver exceptional travel solutions to clients across the region.’

Since 2018, BCD’s presence in Sri Lanka has been through their long-time global network partner. In establishing a wholly owned operation in Sri Lanka in 2023, the new center reflects the company's long-term sustainable operating strategy for growth and investment in the region and ability to offer extraordinary value for businesses. BCD is also the first global TMC to join the Sri Lanka Board of Investment. Demonstrating its contribution to the local economy, skill enhancement and job creation.

‘Sri Lanka is a country brimming with potential to become a hub for service-driven industries, and we believe the ASC to be an absolute game changer within our global business landscape, said Dinuka Sumithrarachchi, Director, Operations, BCD Travel Asia-Pacific Service Centre.

‘Our diverse and talented workforce sets exceptional service standards that harness the natural warmth and hospitality of our people. We are confident the ASC will prove to be a groundbreaking initiative showcasing the country’s capabilities on the global stage.’

BCD Group is a market leader in the travel industry. The privately owned company was founded in 1975 by John Fentener van Vlissingen from The Netherlands and consists of BCD Travel, its subsidiaries BCD Meetings & Events and Advito, and Park ‘N Fly. For more information, visit www.bcdgroup.com.