HRG Brasil (formerly known as BTI Brasil), one of the country’s largest travel management companies, has today announced that it is to further invest in the Brazilian market, opening two brand new services centres and implementing additional technology platforms and solutions for the benefit of its clients – a total financial investment of some R$700,000 (US$350,000). The development further consolidates HRG Brasil’s strong relationship with Hogg Robinson Group, the international corporate services organisation, and commitment to shaping the standards of corporate travel management in Latin America.

In the esteemed presence of high ranking officials including Martin Raven (Consul-General in Sao Paulo and Director for Trade and Investment for Brazil), around 300 local business leaders, corporate clients and suppliers are joining HRG Brasil at the Bridge Restaurant at the Brazilian British Centre in Sao Paulo this evening (Wednesday, 18^th July) to celebrate the company’s ongoing development and success and its formal re-brand to HRG Brasil. The company’s senior Directors will be joined at the event by David Radcliffe (Chief Executive, Hogg Robinson Group) and Roger Westwood (Overseas Investment Director, Hogg Robinson Group) both of whom have flown to Sao Paulo specifically to support HRG Brasil as they announce their new initiatives.

Phelipe Spielmann, Joining Managing Director of HRG Brasil, explains: “Around 18 months ago we took the decision to join the HRG worldwide network and we have never looked back. We have worked with Hogg Robinson Group for over 13 years now and have a great relationship so when they announced that they were pursuing an independent corporate services strategy and launching the HRG worldwide network it was an easy decision for us to join them.

“Since that time we have continued to grow our business and the range of services that we are able to offer our clients. This continued growth and expansion, as Brazil cements its position as one of the world’s leading global economies, means that we are now opening an additional two service centres: one in Belo Horizonte (State of Minas Gerais) and the other in Porto Alegre (State of Rio Grande do Sul). These are important markets where we already have clients and see a strong growth potential. This national expansion will further strengthen our ability to provide exceptional service to HRG clients as they consolidate their activity both across the region and globally.”

David Radcliffe, Chief Executive of Hogg Robinson Group, added: “I am delighted to be able to join Phelipe, Rodrigo and Nelson and their colleagues at HRG Brasil as they announce these exciting developments and would like to thank them for the opportunity to celebrate their ongoing success with some of the most important business leaders in the country.

“Brazil is one of the most important markets in Latin America. It is recognised as one of the world’s largest emerging economies and a key driver market for corporate travel within the region. Over the next 10 years Brazil’s Business Travel Market is set to grow approximately 10% faster than the Latin American market and around 16% faster than the global market.”

He continued: “It is therefore essential that we have a Partner in the country of the calibre of HRG Brasil. Their knowledge of the Brazilian corporate travel, meetings and incentives markets, integrates well with HRG’s global expertise and together we can offer our clients a seamless, high quality service which can only be further improved as HRG Brasil continue to invest in their local infrastructure. The combination of HRG’s global capabilities and strength, combined with the local expertise that our in-country partners offer, means that our clients can depend on our network for a consistently high standard of service, no matter where they are in the world.”

In addition to its investment in client service centres, HRG Brasil has also conducted a strategic review of its technology requirements and, as a result, will be implementing a number of new technology solutions for clients which will include:

• Online Booking Tool - a tool for airline ticket reservation and issue, hotel reservations and other travel services that can be managed by clients through an integrated software system
• HRG Expense Management – an online expense management tool designed to efficiently track travel and purchases from a variety of sources including corporate credit cards, travel and entertainment cards, personal cash claims, mobile and office phones, fuel and car charges and travel data.

HRG Brasil plans to have its latest technology solutions implemented and service centres fully operational within the next six months.

*Source: World Travel & Tourism Council: The 2007 Travel & Tourism Economic Research

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For further information:

For HRG Brasil enquiries
Virgínia Gaia / Carla Santos
The Jeffrey Group Brasil
Tel: +55 11 2165 1655
Email: vgaia@tjgmail.com and csantos@tjgmail.com

For Hogg Robinson Group enquiries
Laurie Waugh, Public Relations Manager
Hogg Robinson Group
Tel: + 44 (0) 1256 312 623
Email: laurie.waugh@hrgworldwide.com

Notes to Editors:

HRG Brasil was originally founded in 1951 and since 1965 has been privately owned by the Spielmann and Danielides families. Headquartered in Sao Paulo and with a sales turnover in 2006 of R$340 million (around US$ 170 million), the company has a network of branches in seven of the most commercially important cities in the country, and 19 implant offices in the premises of some of their largest clients. One of the top three travel management companies in Brazil, HRG Brasil has an excellent reputation internationally for its pioneering approach to client service, airport services and technology. In addition to its expertise in travel management, the company is also very strong in meetings and incentives. HRG Brasil is part of the HRG worldwide network.

Hogg Robinson Group (HRG) is the award-winning international corporate services company. Founded in 1845, HRG has over 60 years specific corporate travel expertise. Its corporate services interests include wholly-owned or majority controlled corporate travel operations in 25 of the key driver and growth markets throughout Asia Pacific, Europe and North America.  Supported by contracted partners, the HRG worldwide network extends to almost 100 countries.

Totally committed to a value offering for clients, HRG offers a comprehensive range of corporate services which includes travel management, fulfilment services and low cost transactions as well as Consulting, Expense Management, Events & Meetings Management and Sports.