3i last October hired advisory firm Baird to explore "strategic options" for Audley’s "next stage of growth".
The Financial Times reports 3i had hoped to raise around £600 million from the sale of Audley, which it agreed to acquire in late-2015. At the time, 3i invested £159 million in Audley.
However, the paper lists 3i’s plans to sell the tailor-made specialist among a number that have now been postponed after US president Donald Trump’s tariffs spooked investors.
Work on a sale was reportedly paused in the weeks leading up to Trump’s so-called "liberation day" when he placed swingeing tariff on dozens of the US’s close trading partners.
Audley has grown significantly under 3i’s ownership, and has been led since September 2018 by former Tui UK and Ireland chief Nick Longman.
Both 3i and Audley Travel declined to comment when approached by TTG on Thursday (17 April).
