Internova Travel Group alleges that its new agency business, Noustravel, performs the same functions as Artur and that its employees breached the contract by soliciting employees and stealing trade secrets. Two former employees of Artur's division have been sued.
On February 16, Internova and Altzar filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Anthony Lee Thomas, who left Altair last year.
According to Travel Weekly's sister publication The Beat, a lawsuit has also been filed against Barry Noscoe of Travis County, Texas. The New York lawsuit alleges that Mr. Noscoe, who is not named in the filing because he resides in Texas and is not subject to personal jurisdiction in New York, is an employee. It also points out that the company had an agreement with Artur regarding the recruitment of advisors.
In its lawsuit against Thomas, Internova states that Thomas will resign from the company effective December 31, 2023 and will “form and operate a new entity intended to provide services substantially identical to those provided by Altour.” was involved.''
He most recently served as COO and president of travel for Altour's Travel Authority division, according to the complaint.
Acquired by Internova in 2017, Altour serves the corporate, leisure, luxury and entertainment sectors.
According to the complaint, Thomas was employed by Artur from 1994 until he resigned. As part of his resignation, he entered into an agreement with Internova that placed limits on his recruitment and involvement with customers and employees. It also includes a special payment of $193,427.78, which the lawsuit says Internova can recover if Thomas breaches the agreement.
Noustravel was formed on February 1, and Thomas “provides services to Nous as an employee, consultant, manager, or all of the above,” the complaint states. The complaint also says Noustravel is made up of “all” Artur employees and operates under the same business model.
Internova alleges that Thomas “directly or indirectly” recruited Artur employees and that seven senior employees have left Noustravel since its inception. The company claims these solicitations violate Mr. Thomas' contract with the company. Internova also claims that Thomas intends to solicit Arthur's travel advisor.
The complaint alleges that Mr. Thomas had access to “trade secret information” used to recruit advisors for Noustravel, including travel advisor agreements regarding commissions and pay structures.
Noustravel's website lists Mr. Thomas as a strategic advisor and Mr. Noscoe as its president. (Mr. Nosko most recently served as Artur's executive vice president of strategic planning, but resigned as of January 31.)
The complaint alleges that Thomas and Noskow “planned to found Nous before leaving Artur,” and that after Noskow left, “a wave of resignations began.”
These include Louise Whitney, Altour's Vice President of Hotels and Vendor Relations. David Sefton, Senior Vice President, West Coast; Lisa Wheeler, Vice President, East Coast; Joanne Fortune, Senior Vice President of Operations; Amy Blankenship, vice president of retail operations;
At least one “exclusive” Artur travel advisor received a formal offer from Nous with competitive contract points, according to the complaint.
Internova is seeking injunctive relief and monetary restitution. The company requested a jury trial.
In a brief filed with the court on March 5, Thomas referred to himself as a “consultant with the title of strategic advisor” to Noustravel.
“Nous is in the planning and development stages of its business,” Thomas wrote. “He has no travel business and no income.”
Mr. Thomas said he intends to invest in the company, but has not done so yet.
Mr. Thomas also denied Internova's claims that he solicited employees or independent contractors, saying he was not involved in hiring.
“I have not had any contact with anyone employed by the plaintiff regarding employment opportunities at Nous over the past six months,” he said.
Thomas also explained how he left Arthur in a different way than Internova. Following the departure of founder and CEO Aleksandr Chemla, Thomas said he was “kicked out of Artur” and added: “I lost all my titles and there was virtually no place for me at Artur. “No,” he said.
Chemla left the company at the end of 2023. Internova then merged Travel Leaders Corporate and Altour under the Altour brand.
Thomas claims that since Internova acquired Artur, “tension has developed between Mr. Chemra and Mr. Artur.” [Internova] Mr Thomas' exit plan was developed between March 2023 and December 2023, he said.
Mr. Thomas also stated that Internova waived the non-compete restrictions contained in the separation agreement and “receives written notice from Altour about investing in another travel-related business, accepting a board position, and accepting a strategic advisory position.” He also claimed that he had obtained permission.
