Effective early next month, Tradewinds Travel and Donald Smith Travel Connection will merge with Advance Travel Ltd., one of the Island's oldest travel agencies.

"This way we can combine the strengths of all three entities," said Advance Travel's general manager, Gary Kent-Smith.

While the name of the new firm has yet to be finalised, Mr. Kent-Smith said the company will begin operating on February 3.

Formerly an American travel agency, Advance Travel was created when it acquired interests in Darrell Travel, which was established in Bermuda in 1867.

Tradewinds Travel was opened in 1987 by Brenda Warwick, who is known as the premier agent for ski holidays. Ms Warwick will work with the new company as an independent travel executive.

Established over 60 years ago by the late George McDonald Smith, the Donald Smith Travel Connection was taken over by Mr. Kent-Smith ten years ago.

Mr. Kent-Smith emphasised none of the companies were in financial difficulty.

He said creating a travel powerhouse would better serve the community "...so that we can satisfy all of our customers,so that they can all be winners".

And, he said, there will be no jobs lost in the venture.

Keeping up with current marketing strategies, Mr. Kent-Smith said his company is looking at different ways to attract more clients, including implementing a company charge card.

"We are looking into introducing a brand new travel charge facility because our present one which has been run through the Go card group will be ending its service," he said.

The new company will operate out of the Windsor Place building on Queen Street.

"We anticipate a seamless transition," Mr. Kent-Smith said.