1000 Mile Travel Group (1000 MTG) is launching in the US and expanding its footprint in the UK following its acquisition by the Corporate Travel Management (CTM) Group in July 2022.
Founded in 2015 by travel professionals Ben Ross and Nicola Veltman, the 1000 MTG host agency model was designed specifically to meet the unique needs of independent corporate travel advisors.
Since then, the business has grown and evolved to incorporate leisure and group travel specialisations alongside its corporate travel stronghold.
“What makes 1000 Mile Travel Group different to other host agencies is that we’ve ‘walked the talk,'” Veltman said.
“We’re longtime travel professionals and we’ve worked for the ‘mega’ travel companies. After 15 years of long hours and limited flexibility, we took the step to set up our own independent travel business to achieve a better lifestyle.
“Ben started his own independent travel business using a host agency, but it wasn’t easy and we quickly found that there was a lack of networks that truly understood the unique needs of business travel – so 1000 Mile Travel Group was born. We built our own business model, and developed and refined a unique ‘business blueprint’ that could support other independent corporate travel advisors to achieve their lifestyle goals while doing what they love.
“We’ve never looked back. Our network has grown from strength to strength in a very short time, and many of our agents are earning enviable six-figure salaries working a third of their portfolio, from wherever and whenever it suits them.”
Part of the brand’s global expansion strategy includes integrating and rebranding CTM’s US-based leisure host agency business, MTravel, into the 1000 Mile Travel Group brand, becoming a global network of 750+ independent travel advisors spanning leisure, corporate and group travel.
Ross and Veltman have relocated to Denver, Colorado, to facilitate the integration and launch the US business.
“By bringing our incredible MTravel team and travel advisor network into the 1000 Mile Travel Group brand, we’re able to leverage our combined resources, expertise, tools and infrastructure for the benefits of both travel specialisations, whether corporate or leisure,” Veltman said.
“This team are true experts in the US host agency market. Together we’ve created a highly connected, experienced and engaged global network of independent travel experts across the USA, UK, and Australia who will get together at our first global conference in Hawaii in February. We’re all excited about the opportunities ahead of us.”
Ross explains the importance and relevance of both the company’s history and future vision as it establishes it’s US presence.
“We’re as passionate about travel today as we always have been, and the future really excites us,” Ross said.
“With the backing of a global travel business like CTM, our network of travel advisors – and their customers – enjoy the benefits of impressive global buying power, which means access to more travel content at the most competitive rates and commissions, as well as luxury hotel programs, and access to exclusive Virtuoso content and membership benefits.
“They also get to leverage CTM’s scale and proprietary travel technology, including the award-winning Lightning online booking tool, as well as influential partnerships and global support services. This means our independent agents receive all the benefits of working with a global travel company but with their own independence and control.”
Veltman explained the importance of community to the 1000 MTG network and enabling independent travel advisors to connect and be supported by like-minded travel professionals.
“Our global network of business experts and travel advisors provides a community of support, collaboration and inspiration – meaning you never work alone,” he said.
“We enable our travel advisors to connect in-person at our conferences and famil trips, as well as virtually through forums, training and business updates, and we’ve had many travel advisors establish long-term partnerships through our network. When you work independently, we know how important it is to remain connected, to have 24/7 support, and to be seen and heard – and our community is committed to that.”
