NBTA backs merger with ACTE

Unanimous support for tie up

The board of the National Association of Business Travel (NBTA) has unanimously backed a scheme to merge with the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE).

But ACTE insisted it had no interest in a link with the Association and was pursing other options.

In a statement, Kevin Maguire, the NBTA's president and ceo, said his directors "saw great potential" in merger between the world's two largest business travel associations.

He added: "There are hundreds of companies that currently invest in both organizations.

"The NBTA Board wants to give those companies a chance to lower their investments while maximising the value delivered.

"We believe one way that can be done is to combine the best aspects of two great organizations - NBTA and ACTE."

A spokesman for ACTE said he had "no idea" why NBTA was pursuing the concept of a merger as ACTE's board had voted on June 8 to stay independent.

He said this had been conveyed to Mr Maguire in a letter from Doug Weeks, its president.

www2.nbta.org  www.acte.org