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BCD Group: from start up to global industry leader

Founded in 1975 by John Fentener van Vlissingen, BCD Group has grown into a global market leader in the travel industry. Every day, thousands of customers count on our travel services, advice, support and technology.

What’s now a global market leader in the travel industry started as a small company, founded by John. A. Fentener van Vlissingen with a capital of just US$10,000.

BCD Group consists of BCD Travel, and its divisions BCD Meetings & Events and Advito.

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Dear journalists,

We are happy to see that you’ve found your way to our global news room. If you are searching for business travel related information, quotes or pictures don’t hesitate to  reach out to us .

We are looking forward to your inquiries.

Latest news

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March 14, 2024

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January 30, 2024

BCD Travel China partners with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and Colorful Earth to drive sustainable transformation in business travel

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BCD Travel remains Most Admired Travel Management Company

December 6, 2023

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December 4, 2023

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November 30, 2023

BCD Travel announces new leadership in Japan

November 6, 2023

BCD Travel remains sustainable supplier of choice  

October 12, 2023

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Work Anywhere, Together

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KPMG LLP develops and implements comprehensive talent mobility solutions for multi-national corporations. By combining deep industry experience and highly distinguished insights in tax, payroll, compensation, and benefits, they enable their clients to strategically manage their mobility programs. With their broad vendor ecosystem, they empower companies to attract, retain and develop top performers. With more than 4,500 people working in member firms around the world, they blend global perspective with local market strength. Learn more about KPMG at: https://tax.kpmg.us/services/global-mobility/kpmg-link-work-force.html

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Top predictions on how companies will approach remote, hybrid and distributed work over the course of the coming year.

Business Travel Predictions for 2024

As the new year begins, the landscape of business travel is set for an evolution. In this comprehensive overview, read our predictions for the shape of business travel in 2024 and beyond.

Achieve Workforce Readiness by Being Crisis Ready

Unlocking workforce readiness starts with a trusted relationship with your global mobility partner and ready access to the data you need to support agile decision making.

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Corporate Travel Companies Are Bulking Up: ‘Getting Bigger Is Critical’

Justin Bachman, Skift

April 10th, 2024 at 10:06 AM EDT

Pressure from travel suppliers who want better merchandising tools and lower costs are compelling travel management companies to consolidate.

The big players in the world of managing corporate travel are gearing up to get bigger: Amex GBT’s $570 million bid for CWT and the sale of Direct Travel to an investor consortium are two of the latest examples of the race to bulk up through mergers. 

The trend is driven largely by two factors: Travel suppliers – primarily airlines – seeking greater efficiencies in their distribution channels and the enormous capital required to invest in the technology to sell to and service travelers around the world.

“I think fundamentally customer needs are driving consolidation in the industry,” Amex GBT CEO Paul Abbott told Skift. “I think supplier needs are also changing. Suppliers want their distribution channels to deliver a modern retailing experience,” he said.

For example, airlines are moving a growing share of their fares from the traditional global distribution system model to a direct NDC (New Distribution Capability) platform. And agencies are under pressure to adopt it. 

CWT merging into Amex GBT is “a perfect example of how it’s really only the big players that have the capital to do it,” Mike McCormick, a travel consultant and former head of the Global Business Travel Association, said on April 1 on the Travel Again podcast.

The largest corporate firms, such as Amex GBT, BCD Travel and Navan, have been forced “to really make big investments in technology and continued investments” given the aggressive push by American and others, McCormick noted. 

Navan, for example, last month touted its deeper integration with United Airlines to support that carrier’s pricing strategy for fares, along with other self-serve tools and more personalization for travelers.

“Getting bigger is critical in terms of  a lot of the airline changes and negotiation, and always pressure on earnings and commissions and business in general,” McCormick said.

Investing For the Next-Generation of Travel

Investor Steve Singh, the founder and former CEO of Concur, is managing director of Madrona, the Seattle-based venture capital firm that is among the four investment firms that acquired Direct Travel Inc. on April 2. 

Singh told Skift the investor group is keen to create a “next-generation” travel management company that would offer a seamless connected trip in which all of a traveler’s airline, hotel, meeting, ground transport, and appointment bookings would be integrated, allowing for far simpler itinerary changes. For now, it’s an aspirational goal, one the industry has long wanted but that has proven tough to attain. 

Travel management companies sell multiple technology platforms to serve customers and “the result is that it is very expensive to build and run a TMC,” Singh wrote in a blog post explaining the investor group’s view of how the managed-travel industry should evolve. 

“The fact that these legacy solutions are built on GDS platforms that are not open and not extensible makes the goal of delivering an incredible client experience at a better value proposition even more challenging.”

“As someone who has logged tens of millions of flight miles, I would love a system that allows me to reserve a hotel from the time I arrive in a town to the time I need to leave, not from 3 p.m. to noon,” Singh wrote in his post.

What’s Next for Travelers

Amex GBT customers may see a greater focus on particular industry verticals, such as energy, U.S. government, mining and marine industries for CWT. Those areas tend to present greater complexity and transaction value, along with higher customer retention rates, Amex GBT told investors March 25 explaining the CWT deal.

Abbott said successful travel-management companies will increasingly need both software and services — not just one — that are married effectively.

“You have to have the best technology and the best people, you have to integrate it better than anyone else, and you have to deliver that consistently on a global basis,” he said. “And that’s hard and it requires significant investment and significant expertise.”

The Daily Newsletter

Our daily coverage of the global travel industry. Written by editors and analysts from across Skift’s brands.

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Tags: airlines , amex gbt , business travel , concur , corporate travel , cwt , navan

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International Edition

City guide: Moscow

City guide , Destinations

20 March 2016

Discover Moscow, an opulent, cosmopolitan city that could easily borrow New York’s nickname as the city that never sleeps.

Moscow is an opulent, cosmopolitan city that could easily borrow New York’s nickname as the city that never sleeps. The rush of people is relentless. And whether you’re in search of a glitzy nightclub, Michelin-starred restaurant or modest drinking hole, you won’t have to look far. Moscow’s storied history is on full display—from extravagant subways that hark back to the Soviet era to the famed Red Square that dominates the city center.

As the capital of Russia, Moscow is the political, economic and cultural hub of the country. It’s home to the country’s largest banks and company headquarters. Primary industries include energy production, software development and textile manufacturing.

Getting to and from the airport

Three major airports serve Moscow.   Sheremetyevo International  is 18 miles northwest of the city center, Domodedovo is 26 miles south of the city center and Vnukovo International  is 17 miles southwest of the city center. If you’re driving at night, taxis from each airport to the city center take about 45 minutes, but that can double in heavy traffic. All three airports are served by Aeroexpress trains that connect to centrally located metro stations. Travel time is 35-45 minutes, depending on the airport. A one-way fare is 470 rubles (US$6 using the exchange rate US$1 = 77.52 RUB).

Getting around Moscow

The metro can be confusing because there are few English signs, but with some planning it’s possible to navigate. And many of the stations are works of art, so it’s worth taking the metro just to have a look. It’s open from 5:20 a.m. to 1 a.m. A single fare is 28 RUB (US$0.36).

You can hail cabs on the street or have your hotel call one for you. There are no meters, so you’ll have to negotiate the price of a fare. If you’re traveling within central Moscow, you shouldn’t pay more than 200 RUB (US$2.57).

Where to stay

If you’re looking for luxury and upscale hotel options, try the St. Regis Moscow Nikolskaya (Street Nikolskaya 12, Moscow 109012; Ph: 7-495-967-7776), Radisson Blu Belorusskaya Hotel Moscow (26a 3rd Street of Jamskogo Polja, Moscow 125124; Ph: 7-495-660-4900), Doubletree by Hilton Moscow Marina (Bld. 1, 39 Leningradskoe Shosse, Moscow 12521; Ph: 7-495-212-2020) or Marriott Moscow Grand (26/1 Tverskaya St., Moscow 125009; Ph: 7-495-937-0000). Midscale and economy options include Hampton by Hilton Moscow Strogino (20 Kulakova St. Moscow 123592; Ph: 7-499-745-0600) and Ibis Moscow Dynamo (Leningradsky Prospect 37, Moscow 125167; Ph: 7-495-139-0304).

Things to see and do

Visitors must experience the weight of history you feel in Red Square, one of Russia’s most famous landmarks. Cobblestones pave the way to the Kremlin, Lenin’s Tomb, St. Basil’s Cathedral and the Russian State Historical Museum. Plus, the official residence of the Russian president sits on Red Square. You can enter the square free of charge, but to get a sense of the historical significance, consider joining a walking tour. Some private tour operators offer pick-up and drop-off services at hotels. Be sure to experience the square in the evening when it’s lit up against the night sky. It’s a spectacular scene.

Bordering the southern end of Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral looks like it’s straight out of the pages of a fairy tale. Built on the orders of Ivan the Terrible in 1555, the cathedral commemorates the capture of Kazan and Astrakhan from the final battle of the Russo-Kazan Wars. It’s built from brick and has nine separate chapels, each capped with a uniquely shaped and colored dome. It’s open for tours from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Tuesday; admission is 250 RUB (US$3.22).

The Tretyakov Gallery holds a vast collection of Russian art that spans thousands of years. It was founded by Russian merchant Paval Tretyakov, who donated his art collection to the city of Moscow in 1892. The gallery now houses more than 130,000 works. It’s open Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is 400 RUB (US$5.15).

Enjoy the great outdoors with a visit to the Aptekarskiy Ogorod Botanical Garden . The garden was founded by Peter the Great in 1706 for the purpose of growing medicinal plants. In the Shadow Garden you’ll find over 150 species of shade-tolerant flowers, as well as collections of ferns and peonies. And the Palm House contains trees over 200 years old. The garden is open daily from 10 a.m.; closing time depends on the time of year. Admission is 100 RUB (US$1.29).

An evening at the Bolshoi Theatre is captivating. It’s the second-biggest opera house in Europe and a grand example of Russian classical architecture. The majestic, six-tier auditorium is awe-inspiring. A range of Russian and foreign ballets and operas grace the stage each year. You’ll find the schedule on the Bolshoi’s website .

Where to eat

To get a sense of what Russia looked like in the 19 th century, drop by Café Pushkin and soak up the pre-revolution atmosphere in a building designed to look like a Russian aristocrat’s home in 1825. The service at this five-star restaurant is impeccable—guests are treated like royalty. Be sure to order the blinchiki —a popular dish of Russian pancakes and black caviar. There’s normally a line out the door, so book ahead of time. Find it at 26A Tverskoy Blvd.; Ph: 7-495-739-0033.

The dishes at Buono display a mastery of Italian cuisine that’s unsurpassed, and you can’t beat the restaurant’s view of Moscow from the 29 th and 30 th floors of a skyscraper. People clamor for a table by the window. Find it at 2/1 Kutuzovsky Ave., Building 1 (Hotel Radisson Royal); Ph 7-495-229-8308.

Galereya (Gallery Café) is located in a 19 th century mansion, and the décor alone is a reason to pay a visit to the restaurant. Rotating works from local artists line the walls. The chef adds a contemporary flair to traditional cuisine. Find it at 27 Petrovka St.; Ph: 7-495-937-4504.

Varvary was made famous by founding chef Anatoly Komm’s application of “molecular gastronomy” to traditional Russian cuisine. The restaurant made the list of San Pellegrino’s World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2011, so expect to be wowed. The nine-course tasting menu is perfection. Find it at 8a, Strastnoi Blvd., Ph: 7-495-229-2800.

Going to Moscow for business? Book your trip at BCD Travel.

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China sanctions 2 US defense companies and says they support arms sales to Taiwan

An MQ9 Predator drone is displayed at the Berlin Air Show ILA in Berlin, Germany, on May 30, 2016. China on Thursday, April 11, 2024 announced sanctions against two U.S. defense companies, one of which produces the Predator drone, over what it says is their support for arms sales to Taiwan, the self-governing island democracy Beijing claims as its own territory to be recovered by force if necessary. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File)

US tanks M1-A1 Abrams block a path at a training range in Paju, near Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), 50 kilometer north of Seoul, on June 9, 2003. China on Thursday, April 11, 2024 announced sanctions against two U.S. defense companies, one of which produces the M1 tank, over what it says is their support for arms sales to Taiwan, the self-governing island democracy Beijing claims as its own territory to be recovered by force if necessary. (AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara, File)

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BEIJING (AP) — China on Thursday announced rare sanctions against two U.S. defense companies over what it called their support for arms sales to Taiwan , the self-governing island democracy Beijing claims as its own territory to be recovered by force if necessary.

The announcement freezes the assets of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and General Dynamics Land Systems held within China. It also bars the companies’ management from entering the country.

Filings show General Dynamics operates a half-dozen Gulfstream and jet aviation services operations in China, which remains heavily reliant on foreign aerospace technology even as it attempts to build its own presence in the field.

The company also helps make the Abrams tank being purchased by Taiwan to replace outdated armor intended to deter or resist an invasion from China.

General Atomics produces the Predator and Reaper drones used by the U.S. military. Chinese authorities did not go into details on the company’s alleged involvement with supplying arms to Taiwan.

Beijing has long threatened such sanctions, but has rarely issued them as its economy reels from the COVID-19 pandemic, high unemployment and a sharp decline in foreign investment.

“The continued U.S. arms sales to China’s Taiwan region seriously violate the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-U.S. joint communiqués, interfere in China’s internal affairs, and undermine China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” China’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement. It insists that the mainland and the island to which Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalist forces fled amid civil war in 1949 remain part of a single Chinese nation.

Sanctions were leveled under Beijing’s recently enacted Law of the People’s Republic of China on Countering Foreign Sanctions, aimed at retaliating against U.S. financial and travel restrictions on Chinese officials accused of human rights abuses in mainland China and Hong Kong .

General Dynamics fully owned entities are registered in Hong Kong, the southern Chinese semi-autonomous city over which Beijing has steadily been increasing its political and economic control to the point that it faces no vocal opposition and has seen its critics silenced, imprisoned or forced into exile.

The two companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

China has threatened action against foreign companies and governments that aid Taiwan’s defense and the U.S. military presence in the region, leading to commercial boycotts and diplomatic standoffs.

China banned American firms Lockheed Martin Corp. and Raytheon Missiles & Defense from the Chinese market in retaliation for the use of one of their planes and a missile to shoot down a suspected spy balloon that flew over the continental United States last year. Similar balloons have frequently been discovered floating over Taiwan and into the Pacific Ocean.

Despite their lack of formal diplomatic ties — a concession Washington made to Beijing when they established relations in 1979 — the U.S. remains Taiwan’s most important source of diplomatic support and supplier of military hardware from fighter jets to air defense systems.

Taiwan has also been investing heavily in its own defense industry, producing sophisticated missiles and submarines.

China had 14 warplanes and six navy ships operating around Taiwan on Wednesday and Thursday, with six of the aircraft crossing into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone — a tactic to test Taiwan’s defenses, wear down its capabilities and intimidate the population.

So far, that has had little effect, with the vast majority of the island’s 23 million people opposing political unification with China.