New service provider to assist Army official, leisure travelers

By IMCOM-Europe public affairsMay 17, 2010

HEIDELBERG, Germany - A new service provider will being assisting Army travelers seeking official or leisure travel May 31.

Z Trak Global Travel will being providing official and leisure travel service after it received a three-year $6.4 million contract issued by the DOD's Commercial Travel Management Office in February, according to John Davis, Installation Management Command-Europe Travel Branch Chief.

"Z Trak Global Travel is a joint venture between two American travel Agencies," said Jim Bunkley, ZTrak's Chief Financial Officer and head of transition efforts for Commercial Travel Offices in Europe. One of the companies has been providing travel management services for some military locations since 2002 and is currently the contractor for two other DoD travel service contracts.

"Other than customers having to get used to a new name, most of how people go about scheduling official and leisure travel will remain the same," said Bunkley.

Davis explained that the new service provider will continue to offer airline tickets, rail tickets, and other official travel services such as hotel bookings and vehicle rental assistance. Also, Z Trak will be able to provide leisure travel services to customers who are authorized leave in conjunction with official travel.

Bunkley said he foresees improving travel service capability based on Z Trak installing new automation equipment at each office location. Z Trak's official travel services will be in the same offices that have been operated by CWT/SatoTravel at Army garrisons and Air Force bases throughout Europe. Z Trak will also continue to use the same telephone numbers in Germany as the previous service provider, said Davis.

In addition to official travel services, Z Trak will be offering a comprehensive package of leisure travel opportunities and will unveil a customer oriented website to provide information and services to customers.

"We will have package tours for cruises, resort vacations, and local travel opportunities so our customers will be able to make the most of their European assignment," said Bunkley.

According to Davis, CWT/SatoTravel will close its offices at noon Friday, May 28. On the following Monday, May 31, Z Trak Global Travel will open its doors with the same regular operating hours that customers have enjoyed with CWT/SatoTravel.

Related Links:

Installation Management Command-Europe Website