# Intertek enters high-growth travel & tourism industry

- Link: https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/intertek-enters-high-growth-travel-tourism-industry/412801092
- Published: 2019-12-17T07:42:36+00:00
- Author: Amilia Stone

**Intertek Group** (LON:ITRK), a Total Quality Assurance provider to industries 
worldwide, has today announced that it has acquired Check Safety First, a market
leading global health, safety, quality and security risk management business focused
on the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors.

·      **Travel and tourism sector contributed $8.8 trillion to the global economy
in 2018 and outpaced the growth rate of world GDP **

·      **The market for systemic Quality Assurance services within the global travel
and tourism industry will continue to grow rapidly driven by consumer and regulatory
pressures**

·      **Building on its leadership position, CSF will now benefit from Intertek’s
global network and broad customer base, facilitating expansion into other geographies
and adjacent sectors**

With the travel and tourism sector contributing $8.8 trillion to the global economy*
and outpacing the growth rate of world GDP, consumer awareness and concerns in relation
to health, hygiene, safety and security when travelling have also increased significantly.
The potential reputational damage for hotels caused by poor food safety and security
standards, combined with greater regulation and compliance requirements imposed 
by governments in tourist destinations, has seen more importance placed upon the
need for bespoke, innovative outsourced Quality Assurance solutions.

Founded in 2003 in the UK, CSF is a trusted partner to major hotels and tour operators
around the world providing a unique range of assurance solutions to the industry.
Through its Cristal and Checkpoint branded audit and software solutions, CSF enables
hoteliers, restauranteurs and tour operators to meet the highest industry-specific
health & safety and security standards. CSF has 145 auditors across 24 countries
and is expected to generate revenues of c. £10 million in 2019.

Building on its leadership position in tourist destinations across the Middle East,
North Africa, Caribbean and Spain, CSF will now benefit from Intertek’s global network
and broad customer base, facilitating expansion into other geographies and adjacent
sectors.

_ *Source: World Travel & Tourism Council, 2018, [LINK](https://www.wttc.org/about/media-centre/press-releases/press-releases/2019/travel-tourism-continues-strong-growth-above-global-gdp/)_

> **André Lacroix, Chief Executive Officer of Intertek, said: **“The market for 
> end-to-end Quality Assurance services within the global travel and tourism industry
> will continue to grow rapidly as leading hotel groups and travel operators seek
> to mitigate against the risks linked to health, hygiene, safety and security issues
> impacting the experience their customers enjoy, their businesses and brand reputation.
> This acquisition establishes a strong presence for Intertek in the global hospitality
> industry, complementing our existing end-to-end ATIC services in adjacent sectors.
> We welcome CSF to Intertek and look forward to working together to deliver total
> peace of mind to companies in this fast-growing industry.”

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