CCRA Travel Solutions and Hickory Travel Systems have spun off their 24-hour call centers to create a joint venture, Travel Fulfillment International.

TFI will merge the two services for greater efficiences and to seek additional opportunities through outsourcing contracts or acquisition, according to Dic Marxen, CCRA's president.

The two call centers are expected to be fully operational as a merged service by Feb. 1. Marxen and Bill Chiles will be TFI's chairman and president, respectively. Chiles is also Hickory's chairman and CEO.

Marxen said the new venture is owned by a small group of investors, but he declined to provide further details about shareholders.

The business will be headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, requiring the relocation of some employees, particularly in IT, Marxen said. He added that as many as 95% of call center agents work remotely, making relocation a non-issue in most cases.

CCRA's call center is based in Agoura Hills, Calif., and Hickory's is based in Saddle Brook, N.J.

Besides a 24-hour call center, CCRA offers negotiated hotel rates and a booking portal, CCRAtravel.com, to the trade. Hickory operates a preferred-rate hotel program and a rate desk for international air.