Direct Travel Appoints Gerard Bellino Vice President of Leisure Travel, Business Development and Strategic Partnerships

DENVER, Aug. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Direct Travel, a leading provider of travel management services in the U.S., announces the appointment of industry expert Gerard Bellino as Vice President of Leisure Travel, Business Development and Strategic Partnerships.

With over 37 years of travel industry experience, Bellino is one of the most accomplished travel management executives in the industry today, offering unparalleled knowledge and expertise in the premium and luxury markets. 

In his new role, Bellino will maintain the dual focus of evaluating the company's current leisure portfolio, developing future direction and building strategic partnerships with suppliers; while concentrating heavily on the Independent Contractor community.  One of Bellino's upcoming initiatives will be the rollout of Direct Travel's nationwide Independent Contractor (IC) program.

Bellino's leisure leadership will include both Supplier Management and Business Development, while also overseeing the development and evaluation of innovative technologies that directly support the requirements of leisure business across the enterprise.

"Gerard's selection complements our strategic plan to offer a consultative approach to all sides of our business, both corporate and leisure," said Ed Adams, Direct Travel CEO. "His knowledge of supplier management is superior, and exactly what Direct Travel needs as we continue on our accelerated path of growth."

Holding numerous key leadership roles, Bellino was most recently Vice President of Business Development at Worldview Travel.  Prior to Worldview Travel, he served as Vice President of U.S. Leisure Travel at CWT for over 14 years, where he was responsible for developing and expanding the leisure line of business.

"Gerard's reputation as an expert in the luxury market is truly unrivalled, and his distinct hands on approach to daily business will allow him to provide invaluable internal guidance, while supporting both our leisure advisors and broadening our existing Independent Contractor program.  He will take a proactive approach as a leader to rapidly respond to changing business environments and drive initiatives that enable Direct Travel to be a leading leisure provider in the higher end market," said John Coffman, Direct Travel CFO.

"I'm eager to join the Direct Travel team, and look forward to developing and driving initiatives that will position us as a true leader in the luxury market," said Bellino. "Our current business mix provides the perfect launching point for what is already one of the most comprehensive product portfolios in the industry today. These are exciting times at Direct. The company's commitment to its leisure line of business is clear and the ability to collaborate with a team that has a proven record of success is exciting," added Bellino. 

About Direct Travel, Inc.
Direct Travel, Inc. is a privately held corporation established in 2011 with the goal to create a $1.5 billion dollar company through acquisition and organic growth.  We have been providing travel management services for over 40 years; by working with clients to develop customized travel programs.  The company prides itself on providing high-quality business travel management services, internet-based technology solutions, and significant cost savings.

Direct Travel employs over 540 travel professionals nationwide with locations in Paramus, NJ; New York City, NY; Baltimore, MD; Scranton, PA; Chicago, IL; Milwaukee, WI; Minneapolis, MN;  Denver, CO; Nashville, TN; San Francisco and San Jose, CA. Direct Travel is ranked among the top US corporate travel management firms.

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SOURCE Direct Travel, Inc.