WIN is a network of 6,000 agent members in more than 70 countries, of which Advantage was a founding member. It provides a back office accounts and data consolidation function plus access to 28,000 hotels through a corporate hotel programme. Advantage has now increased its 25% shareholding in WIN to 95%.

Julia Lo Bue-Said, Advantage managing director, said: “Advantage is focused on investing in our membership offering and the investment in WIN supports this by providing fantastic growth opportunities for members of Advantage.
“Members will be given exclusive products to create strong content and deals for clients, which will be strengthened further by building direct relationships with international hotel chains through WIN.”

WIN was founded in 1985 as an international consortium model between Advantage, Travellers Choice (Australia), Sure Travel (South Africa) and Schmetterling (Germany) to create a strong buying network.

Advantage will now direct the WIN business model to ensure it is more relevant for its members with Schmetterling, one of Germany’s leading travel and technology businesses, retained as a minority shareholder to keep a foothold in mainland Europe.

An Advantage spokesperson added that WIN would retain all 6,000 member agents despite Travellers Choice and Sure Travel no longer being involved.