One of Bermuda's leading travel agents has set up his own company -- C Travel.

The company, which will become the Island's tenth travel agent, has been set up by former Meyer Travel executive vice president Carl Paiva.

It will initially employ ten staff -- who will also own the company -- and will open its doors at a temporary headquarters at the Imperial Building in Church Street, Hamilton at the end of the month.

An undisclosed permanent location may be found for the new operation in the centre of Hamilton in the New Year.

"Unlike other large agencies, it will be an employee-owned company,'' said Mr. Paiva, the company's president. "Every employee that commences employment with C Travel will be a shareholder and that means that every employee will be able to share in the fruits of his or her labour.'' Mr. Paiva, who has worked in the travel industry for 30 years, resigned from Meyer in August.

"I left on very good terms,'' he said. When he left, he said he did not know what he was going to do. "I jokingly said to my wife it was some kind of mid-life crisis. I had spent almost half of my life working for Meyer. It was an opportunity to do something different, to change the course of my life.'' After toying with the idea of going overseas to work, and looking at various consulting jobs, he was approached by various individuals about setting up their own company.

He said: "It was a golden opportunity I could not pass up.'' Mr. Paiva said customer service will be the prime focus of the business, and the way the company is owned by its employees is central to this.

He said: "One of the most important elements of a business is its staff. If you allow your staff to develop to use their initiative and talent in a friendly environment which rewards integrity and creativity , then your business has a better chance of succeeding. Everyone has talent. It is up to business leaders to create environments in which that talent will blossom.'' Mr. Paiva said that the business would concentrate not only on the Bermuda market, but also on providing corporate and leisure travel services globally.

The new company has also linked up with Capital G for a special credit card and holders will be able to gain air miles which can be used at the agency.

The card will also offer discounts on FedEx and DHL services bought at Mailboxes and Mailboxes Unlimited, discounts on dry cleaning at Quality Cleaners, free estate planning consultation at Marshall & Co and discounts on car, bike and marine insurance bought at Colonial Insurance.

Travel agency "The card will not be a run-of-the-mill charge card,'' said Mr. Paiva. "It will show you are a member of the C Travel fraternity and therefore recognised and valued customers and entitled to tangible consumer benefits in addition to a financial facility.'' Mr. Paiva said that the company cannot divulge the new location of the travel agency, which they will take on from January.

But he said: "It is near two primary vehicle parking areas and lies in the very centre of Hamilton.'' Customer service: Carl Paiva BUSINESS BUC