TakeTwo Travel Solutions, a dynamic independent travel management company with operations in the UK and USA, has launched in Ireland. The move is a significant strategic development for the company. TakeTwo’s investment in Ireland also gives the transatlantic business travel specialist a key hub to underpin servicing clients in North America, as well as an important foothold in Europe and the eurozone.
TakeTwo’s entrance in the Irish market follows the acquisition of Cork-based CorporateTravel.ie in September 2019 by Eton Travel Group in the UK. The latter was subsequently acquired by Chris Thelen, CEO of TakeTwo in December 2021. Although TakeTwo and Eton Travel operate as separate entities in the UK, the expansion into Ireland will see CorporateTravel.ie rebrand as TakeTwo Ireland.
Heading up TakeTwo in Ireland is travel industry veteran Paul Sexton (formerly Co-owner of Corporate Travel.ie) in the role of General Manager. Sexton and his team have exciting plans for enhancing service options for existing and prospective clients in Ireland and across EMEA, as well as offering an array of 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 with recruitment of additional high-calibre staff, whilst also supporting employees in a new-age hybrid and homeworking working environment, giving them flexibility and creating a better work/life balance.
TakeTwo was established in the UK/Europe in September 2021 with a vision to provide global personalised services and best-in-class technology to international corporations and road warriors, as well as high-net-worth individuals. In November 2021, TakeTwo fast-tracked its entrance into the US market in response to growing client demand for the TMC’s bespoke approach. For markets outside North America and Europe, TakeTwo has a network of hand-selected global partners to deliver strong local based solutions to meet the precise requirements of clients.
TakeTwo is home to some of the best-known and well-respected professionals within business travel on both sides of the Atlantic. CEO, Chris Thelen has an unparalleled three-decade track record in the Corporate Travel Management (CTM) sector. During four years as CEO of CTM’s US business he was responsible for the company’s North America technology hub and oversaw integration of seven acquisitions.
Paul Sexton, General Manager of TakeTwo said:
“I am delighted to see the launch of TakeTwo and am excited to be part of the company’s vision and expansion in Ireland. After 30 years in the travel industry, both in Ireland and Australia, I have seen a lot of changes, but what hasn’t changed is my commitment to the customer experience and focus on the traveller’s needs. That is why so many companies already trust us to manage their complex travel requirements. This approach to personal bespoke service and building client trust is integral to TakeTwo’s ethos, so our re-brand is 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. No other TMC in Ireland can offer clients a single technology platform across the world with plug and play solutions, consistent quality control and consolidation of reporting.”
“The launch of TakeTwo also comes with great optimism and opportunities as the TMC already has a strong presence in North America” continued Sexton. “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, meaning there is huge potential for TakeTwo to grow our business in this market.”
Chris Thelen, CEO TakeTwo added:
“I am very excited to officially launch TakeTwo in the Irish market. For a global independent genuinely service-focused TMC like ourselves, with strong transatlantic links, having a hub in Ireland will open up great opportunities for servicing existing and prospective clients. We are aiming to shake up the TMC landscape by introducing international and US 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 already established within the tri-state area of North America, including staff and operations in New York and Boston, which has a strong Irish connection. Plus, Ireland also gives us an ideal foothold into Europe, allowing us to access the Eurozone for ticketing purposes and enables us to service customers in euros, US dollars and GBP.”
