The business travel maverick passed away in the Netherlands aged 86. Photo Credit: BORON website
John Fentener van Vlissingen, founder of BCD Travel, passed away on December 11, 2025, at the age of 86. His passing is being mourned by more than 15,000 employees worldwide across the companies he founded and supported.
Born into the family behind Steenkolen Handels Vereeniging (SHV), van Vlissingen began his career in banking before establishing his own company in 1975. Over the following five decades, he built a global family enterprise spanning business travel, real estate, venture capital and philanthropy.
In 1987, he articulated a long-term vision for the business travel sector, anticipating industry globalisation, consolidation and the growing role of technology. This outlook laid the foundation for what would become BCD Travel, now the world’s second-largest travel management company, following the merger of WorldTravel BTI, TQ3 Travel Solutions and The Travel Company.
In 2007, he launched BCD Meetings & Incentives – later renamed BCD Meetings & Events.
Beyond BCD Travel, he also established BORON, the van Vlissingen family’s private investment company, which focuses on long-term value creation across real estate services, hospitality and travel, and e-commerce.
Together with his wife, Marine, Comtesse de Pourtalès, van Vlissingen also championed social responsibility through philanthropic initiatives supporting children, environmental conservation and the arts.
Both BCD Travel and BORON will continue to operate in line with his long-term vision. In 2025, several of his grandchildren joined the family boards of both organisations.
Van Vlissingen is survived by his wife, their three children and nine grandchildren.