Travel Management Inc., a Post Falls travel agency and tour operator, says its revenues now are 30 percent higher than they were before the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that crippled the travel industry.


The company projects $16 million in revenues for 2004, which would be an increase of nearly $4 million from last year, says Rhonda Sand, president of the 10-year-old travel agency.


Business is fantastic, says Sand. We have clients all across the country. We have several big projects were working on.


Travel Management employs 29 peopleabout seven more than last yearand is located in a 7,000-square-foot building it had built in 2002 just north of Interstate 90 at 1581 E. Edmonton.


Initially we planned to lease the lower floor of our building, she says. Instead we grew the business.


It took about two years for Travel Management to recover from the effects of the terrorist attacks, but with business back on track, the company now plans to hire an additional six employees by the end of the year, Sand says.


Sixty percent of Travel Managements operation is related to corporate travel, Sand says. It helps companies manage travel expenses by providing information on travel rebates and credit-card programs that offer free air miles. Travel Management also handles leisure travel for many of its corporate clients, representing about 10 percent of the companys revenues.


In addition, Travel Management also offers ministry packages for churches and religious schools to a variety of Holy Land destinations, including Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Religious travel accounts for about 30 percent of the companys business.


We also assist in writing travel policies and procedures for companies and we handle vendor negotiations (with airlines and hotels), says Sand. Were always working on technology and innovations so we can stay ahead of our clients needs.


The company says it plans this summer to begin offering a new Internet service to its corporate clients that will provide them with online booking of airline tickets and rental cars, expense reporting, and financial auditing.


The service is designed to help businesses save money, Sand says.


They can supply them the data 24/7, says Sand. Its a need for customers. Travel miles are a soft-dollar expense. We can help them get on the right program where they can maximize financial benefits. A lot of companies arent taking advantage of those things.