Tzell Travel Group and Travel Acquisitions Group to Merge

New York-based Tzell Travel Group and Minneapolis-based Travel Acquisitions Group (TAG), which is formerly Carlson Leisure Group, announced today that they will merge to form North America’s 10th largest travel company in terms of annual sales volume. TAG's founder Michael Batt will continue as chairman while TZELL CEO Barry Liben will work double duty as the CEO of TAG as well.

Although TZELL will operate as a separate business unit remaining based in New York City, there will be no substantive changes to either TZELL or TAG’s current businesses, which include The Travel Franchise Group, Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates, Connexions Loyalty Travel Solutions and ProQuest Travel Group.

“Merging TZELL and TAG will improve the services we can provide to our franchisees and agents, while increasing our relevance to suppliers," said Batt. "It’s a ‘win-win’ for everyone associated with TAG and TZELL.”

“Through this merger, we will see sourcing and operating synergies as we build an even larger and more effective group,” added Liben.