Global travel management company (TMC) BCD Travel has achieved a milestone by expanding its market presence and global footprint with a new wholly owned Asia-Pacific Service Center (ASC) in Colombo. This is their fifth ASC in the world after Barcelona, Costa Rica, Poland and India.
Located at Level 15, One Galle Face Office Tower offering round-the-clock support to ensure efficient program deployment for clients in Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore the new ASC already has 230 high paying employees and this number is expected to increase to 300 next year.
“Our ongoing global growth strategy relies on investments that benefit our clients, our employees and our corporate culture,” said President, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa and Global Network, BCD Travel, Greg O’Neil.
He said that they selected Sri Lanka not because it was a ‘cheap destination for staff’ but due to the unique talents Sri Lankan youth processes.
“Sri Lanka was selected as the home for the ASC for the resilience and tenacity demonstrated by its people, innate culture of service and ease of conducting business,” O’Neil said.
He also disclosed that they decided to invest in Sri Lanka during the peak of the Aragalaya time and though it was difficult to convince their management they are now very happy about the decision they took. “Sri Lanka has bounced back much faster than expected.”
He also said that BCD travels was the first BOI approved Travel BOP in Sri Lanka and lauded the assistance provided by the BOI and the government.
“Sri Lanka is a country brimming with potential to become a hub for service-driven industries, and we believe the ASC to be an absolute game changer within our global business landscape, said Director, Operations, BCD Travel Asia-Pacific Service Centre, Dinuka Sumithrarachchi.
BCD Group was founded in 1975 by John Fentener van Vlissingen and its headquarters are located in the Netherlands.
Today, BCD serves clients in over 170 countries and employs more than 13,000 personnel, with clients that include 25% of Fortune 500 companies.