CT Travel Group To Merge Into Good Travel Management

Good Travel Management (GTM) and CT Travel Group (CTTG) have joined forces to establish a new £85m turnover travel group. This strategic move, backed by the now majority investor in both businesses, the John Good Group, has been completed to accelerate each business' aggressive growth plans in the Business Travel, Incentive, Groups & Events, Trade Missions and Leisure Travel markets.

GTM, already a John Good Group business, acquired Wexas’ corporate travel business in 2023, has set out to be the partner of choice for business travellers who want to deal with a traveller-focused partner.

CTTG brands, CT Business Travel, CT Groups Conferences & Incentives, CT Trade Missions and Pettitts Travel, have ambitious plans to continue growth in both the corporate and leisure travel markets. The recent investment in several key appointments has demonstrated its ongoing commitment to growth.

Mark Kempster, founder of CT Travel Group, commented, "I am delighted that we are joining with Good Travel Management. We see a great opportunity to grow our combined position in the market and share values around our people."

"GTM has a long-standing reputation within the industry. It has been operating in travel since the late 1800s and is known for its client-focused service. "

"It has been an amazing journey since I founded CTTG in 1988, to the proud position we find ourselves in today. That journey has been enhanced by the support of my business partners Tom Kempster, Clare Collins and David Bevan all of whom have played a key role in the success of CTTG. I’m pleased to say that Tom and Clare will be joining me as shareholders, alongside the John Good Group, in this new combined travel business."

"Over the last 37 years, I have had many experiences and made many friends within the industry, and I am now excited to continue that journey with the team at Good Travel Management and the John Good Group. We will be stronger together.”

Combining GTM and CTTG creates a comprehensive global offering for existing and prospective clients seeking genuine, service-focused travel expertise. This will accelerate growth opportunities, expand the range of services available to clients, and combine expertise in tech, service, and industry knowledge.

Clare Collins, COO of CTTG, emphasised the benefits of the aligned growth ambition and what the wider team’s capacity and capability can bring to its customers, "The alignment of like-minded ambition combined with our passion for growth on a global scale makes this the perfect DNA to take the merged businesses to the next level."

"Our teams of talented and loyal people, along with our robust supplier relationships, will continue to provide rich content, innovation and competitive pricing."

"We value our clients and promise to maintain and enhance our personable approach; this will not be waived. The combined travel group have established physical office locations in London, Kent and Yorkshire, allowing us to attract the best talent in the industry to our already passionate and talented team. We will continue to invest in our remote and hybrid teams, allowing them to thrive and this is something we are looking to enhance as we move forward with GTM.”

As the integration process unfolds, the merged entity will focus on leveraging the strengths of both organisations to deliver unparalleled service to clients.

Adam Walsh, CEO of John Good Group, shared his thoughts: “I’m delighted to have completed this deal to bring these two brilliant organisations together within the John Good Group. We are so well aligned in terms of growth ambition and outlook. It’s in both businesses’ DNA to deliver the best possible service to travellers."

"Mark, Tom, Clare, Dave and the rest of the CTTG team have been on an impressive journey over the last 37 years in building the group of businesses we see today, and they should be congratulated for their successes. It’s a real credit to their dedication, entrepreneurial spirit and can-do attitude, and these characteristics resonate strongly with us."

"Our business has been in the travel industry for more than a century, and this is another historic moment in its development. We want to be the travel company of choice for businesses and consumers."

"We’re very focused on growing domestically and abroad and are committed to delivering an experience for clients where they feel the quality of our service. We’re not stopping here.”

This reinforces the three pillars at the core of GTM's philosophy: People, Planet, and Performance. As a travel management company that delivers purpose with profit, the new entity is committed to creating a positive social impact for internal and external stakeholders.

The company will maintain its planet-first approach, operating operationally carbon neutrally, with Business Travel, Incentive, Groups & Events, Trade Missions and Leisure Travel management teams trained in sustainability to advise clients on best practices for environmentally conscious business and leisure travel.

This deal aims to set a new standard for travel businesses by uniting two respected names in the industry. It promises a future of innovation, sustainability, and exceptional service in the travel sector.