Travel Authority buys e-booking company

The Travel Authority, a local travel agency that formerly operated as Carlson Wagonlit Travel Travel/WTS Inc., has purchased majority stock ownership in TravWell Inc., a technology fulfillment company for the travel industry.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

TravWell is a private company with headquarters in East Lansing, Mich. The company provides Web-based technology services such as e-booking and database support and creates customized Web portals for travel agencies, airports and other businesses.

Tom Lumley, president and CEO of The Travel Authority, said in a news release that the agency had a longtime partnership with TravWell and that "it was only natural for us to join together in a more permanent business relationship."

He added that the purchase will allow the company to offer "cutting edge technology."

The Travel Authority, based in Jeffersonville, Ind., is the largest travel agency in the Louisville area. The employee-owned agency, which is affiliated with American Express Co., recently ended its longtime relationship with Carlson Wagonlit Inc., according to a report in the April 1 print edition of Business First.

Source: Business First of Louisville