BCD Travel, a leading global corporate travel management company, announced today that it has continued its dramatic growth in Africa with the signing of a new partner in Mozambique. In addition to the five new country Partners that were announced last month, Mocambique Expresso Turismo e Viagens (MEXTUR) becomes the sixth sub-Saharan Partner signed since July.

BCD Travel’s new hub-region strategy continues to evolve, with a strong infrastructure network across the continent enabling BCD Travel to support multinational clients throughout Africa. Strong customer demand continues to drive this dramatic expansion, and further new country coverage is expected over the coming months.

With more than 15 years experience, MEXTUR is one of the most respected travel agencies in Mozambique, offering a comprehensive array of services to its clients. From its head office location in Maputo, MEXTUR has established itself as a leader in providing business travel services to its clients, in addition to hotel reservations, car hire, tourism packages and conference organisation. The agency is accredited by IATA and UFTAA.

MEXTUR will provide all business travel services under the BCD Travel brand. The first half of 2008 has been a very successful year for BCD Travel in Africa and the Middle East, with over US$50 million in new business won and implemented to date. This new business, in the form of managed travel programmes, has come from national, regional and multinational corporations from across the industry spectrum, in addition to non-governmental organisations. This momentum looks set to continue with a further US$60 million in the pipeline for the end of the year.

“We have seen phenomenal growth,” says Greg O’Neil, BCD Travel’s managing director and senior vice president for Growth & Emerging Markets, “which, in a period of economic uncertainty, is very encouraging. Leading corporations in sectors such as oil and telecommunications, along with the NGOs, appear to be reviewing and scrutinising their procurement of travel more than ever before to generate cost savings. Our goal is to simplify corporate travel for our clients, reducing costs through comprehensive account management and supplier leverage, while streamlining processes to enable optimal traveller satisfaction from the point of reservation, on trip and post trip.”

BCD Travel has invested in establishing and increasing its presence in Africa with the appointment earlier this year of a Strategic Development Manager (SDM), responsible for raising brand awareness, expansion and business development, as well as focusing on alignment of key processes and technology. Further investment has also been made in establishing a platform to bring consistency and service excellence to clients in the region.

O’Neil commented, “BCD Travel manages the business of travel for our clients, delivering an outstanding service experience, whether for travellers making reservations or needing 24/7 assistance during a trip, or for travel managers analysing post-trip information. This ethos has been embraced by our clients and prospects in Africa, who are excited to consolidate their travel programmes with an industry leader.”

In addition to MEXTUR in Mozambique, BCD Travel has now signed exclusive partnership agreements with the following leading independent travel management companies in the last two months: AGV Globetrotter (Gabon); Voyages Bourdon (Madagascar); Atom Travel Service (Mauritius); Relax-Voyages (Senegal); Winglink Travel & Tours Ltd. (Tanzania). This expansion now brings BCD Travel’s total Africa coverage to 14 countries, ensuring delivery of the company’s travel management solutions across the continent.