Transat A.T. Inc., one of the largest integrated tour operators in the world, is expanding its retail distribution reach in France through a new commercial agreement between its Transat France division and AFAT Voyages Selectour, the country’s biggest travel agency network. The new network will be officially created in 2010 from the merger of the AFAT and Selectour networks, which together represent 1,170 agencies and total billings of approximately 2.9 billion euros.

The new agreement stipulates, among other things, that Transat France’s 35 Look Voyages agencies will be affiliated with AFAT Voyages Selectour starting January 1, 2010, and that Transat France becomes a partner of choice. In addition, Transat France and AFAT Voyages Selectour have agreed that a certain number of existing travel agencies will eventually adopt the Look Voyages brand name.

“In several ways, this is an innovative agreement that will benefit all parties, especially in the context of the highly competitive market we have in France. It will allow Transat France, which is firmly committed to a multi-channel distribution strategy, to reinforce its market presence and to make its offering known and available to more potential customers,” said Patrice Caradec, President and General Manager of Transat France.

With revenues of about 500 million euros from its tour operating business, mainly conducted under the Vacances Transat and Look Voyages brands, Transat France ranks among the largest tour operators in the country. Look Voyages develops and markets holiday products in many parts of the world, specializing in travel to the Mediterranean Basin and the Caribbean. Tour operator Vacances Transat specializes in long-haul travel, mainly to Canada, the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and Africa. It also offers tours to Scandinavian countries, Eastern Europe, Scotland and Ireland.

AFAT Voyages, a network of 630 independent travel agencies, will merge on January 1, 2010 with Selectour, a cooperative that groups 550 agencies.

Transat France is the division of Transat A.T. that groups tour operators Vacances Transat (Bennett, Brokair) and Look Voyages (Amplitravel), as well as the Eurocharter distribution network. Transat A.T. Inc. is an integrated international tour operator with more than 60 destination countries and that distributes products in over 50 countries. A holiday travel specialist, Transat operates mainly in Canada and Europe, as well as in the Caribbean, Mexico and the Mediterranean Basin. Montreal-based Transat is also active in air transportation, destination services, accommodation and distribution. (TSX: TRZ.B, TRZ.A)