Helsinki, Finland – Monday, October 31 – American Express Global Business Travel (“GBT”) today announced the completion of the acquisition of SMT, a leading travel management company in Finland, from Finnair. SMT had been an important part of GBT’s Travel Partner Network for 27 years and the acquisition will further enhance GBT’s service and capabilities in the Nordics.
Elyes Mrad, GBT’s managing director EMEA, said: “This is truly exciting for our business, and for our customers in Finland and beyond. Organizations and companies in Finland and around the world will continue to benefit from SMT’s local expertise, in addition to our global scale and access. As we come together as one company we welcome the dedicated SMT employees and look forward to achieving great things together for years to come.”
SMT was formed in 2013 after the merger of the two largest Finnish-owned business travel agencies, Area Travel Agency and Finland Travel Bureau. The company provides travel management and meeting and event services to customers throughout Finland. It has consistently adopted a customer-centric approach to business and is driven by a passion for delivering superior customer service, underpinned by its profound knowledge of the Finnish marketplace.
SMT Managing Director Kirsi Paakkari, who will continue to manage the SMT business post-closing, said: “SMT’s main strategic objective is to be the leading provider of corporate travel services and Meetings and Events in Finland. Joining GBT will accelerate our progress toward that objective. Our dynamic business style, combined with GBT’s resources, will make us a powerful and effective business travel partner for companies across Finland.”
About American Express Global Business Travel
American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) equips companies of all sizes with the insights, tools, services and expertise they need to keep their travelers informed, focused and productive while on the road. With approximately 12,000 employees and operations in nearly 120 countries worldwide, GBT empowers customers to take control of their travel programs, optimizing the return on their travel and meetings investments, while, more importantly, providing extraordinary traveler care.
Learn more at amexglobalbusinesstravel.com and amexglobalbusinesstravel.com/content/. Follow us @ twitter.com/amexgbt.
American Express Global Business Travel (“GBT”) is a joint venture that is not wholly-owned by American Express Company or any of its subsidiaries (“American Express”). “American Express Global Business Travel”, “American Express” and the American Express logo are trademarks of American Express, and are used under limited license.
Media Contact:
Martin Ferguson
American Express Global Business Travel
+44 7789 816 523
[email protected]