Agreement with Japan-based H.I.S. Co. Ltd. provides enhanced scale and scope for continued leadership. Merit founder Michael Merrithew to oversee international acquisition and growth strategy.
TORONTO – Merit Travel Group announced an investment agreement with H.I.S. Co. Ltd., a leading global travel services company based in Japan. The agreement will provide the company with a platform to grow its business internationally, and to compete and win in the evolving global travel industry.
Under the agreement, H.I.S – Merit Travel will leverage the Merit brand, particularly in North America, to grow its travel business through strategic acquisitions around the world, under the leadership of Merit founder Michael Merrithew.
"Merit has been a leader in the Canadian travel industry for more than 25 years, and in this time has developed a strong portfolio of brands focused on the wholesale and retail specialty leisure travel market, corporate travel management and loyalty program travel services," said Michael Merrithew. "The agreement with H.I.S. Travel provides our company with the resources required to compete and win in the global travel business, while extending the Merit Travel brand around the world."
Led by founders Michael Merrithew and Louise de Grandpre, the Merit Travel Group team will continue to operate the business while benefitting from the global scale and scope offered by the H.I.S. partnership. H.I.S. is a leading travel company with more than 300 retail locations in Japan and 200 branches in 130 cities around the world.
The agreement with H.I.S. will provide Merit and its customers with unmatched access to new programs, resources, support and services. Together with a commitment for acquisitions and technology investment, the H.I.S. agreement provides a unique global platform for the continued growth of Merit's Loyalty, Corporate and Leisure travel businesses.
With a deep focus on enhancing the customer experience, Merit is a strong and complementary fit for H.I.S. The agreement provides Merit's experienced team with the resources necessary to continue to invest in the technologies and processes required to operate a truly world-class travel company.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
