Founded in 2004 by Rick and Sonja Cooper, Mickledore offers self-guided walking holidays in the UK, with revenues of £2.68 million in 2018. Like KE, the company is based in Keswick in the Lake District and has 12 employees.
The Coopers will continue to work with the Mickledore team on a consultancy basis, working closely with Ashley Toft, KE’s chief executive, who will oversee both businesses.
Mickledore becomes the third UK company in two years to join the Voyageurs du Monde group, following the acquisitions of Original Travel in January 2017 and KE Adventure Travel in July 2017.
This continues the strategy for the group to grow and develop in the UK and other English speaking markets. The Voyageurs du Monde group had a global turnover of €429 million in 2017.
Toft said: "This is an exciting opportunity for both businesses. Mickledore’s focus on the UK as a destination fills a gap in KE’s product range, and their expertise in operating self-guided holidays comes at a perfect time as KE launches its first range of self-guided walking and cycling holidays in Europe.
“There are great opportunities to grow both businesses in North America, as well as an obvious opportunity for Mickledore to expand into the French market.
“I look forward to working with the team at Mickledore to continue the great work they have done to build such a strong business in this fast growing sector.’’
Cooper added: "We are thrilled to have found such a natural home for Mickledore and its staff.
“Not only are the offices a five-minute walk apart, but the whole working culture and ethos of KE and the wider Voyageurs du Monde group, feels very similar to that of Mickledore. We welcome the many opportunities that becoming part of a larger group will give us.’’
