BCD Takes Stake In Brazilian TMC

BCD Travel has taken an undisclosed ownership stake in its Brazilian travel management company partner Avipam, which BCD claims has 900 corporate accounts and nearly $200 million in annual air sales.

With more than 400 employees, the Rio de Janeiro-based company, which derives 95 percent of its revenue from corporate travel, is the fourth largest travel management company in Brazil, according to Barbara Blue, senior vice president and general manager of BCD Latin America.

The move gives BCD Travel an ownership stake in all of its Latin American "driver markets," which are Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Chile and now Brazil, Blue said. BCD's next Latin American move, said Blue will be to take an equity stake in a Costa Rican travel management company by year-end.