Anglia Tours, which operates travel in the UK, Europe and the US, was bought for an undisclosed sum.

Following the acquisition Deborah Beckett, managing director of Next Generation Travel, said the group’s 2017/18 turnover will rise to £17 million as its 68 staff handle more than 50,000 travellers.

She added the latest deal is part of an ongoing strategic expansion for Next Generation which bought student-travel firm FHT Travel in 2013.

Beckett said: “Anglia Tours has developed a reputation for excellence over the last 20 years. 

“Matching our commitment to high levels of customer service and product innovation, we are delighted to join forces and look forward to growing the business and maintaining the exceptional standards customers have come to expect from the brand.”

Anglia Tours chairman Alain Chissel added: “Our three companies share an ethos - the desire to deliver enjoyable educational experiences to customers and offer excellent value for money.

“We will continue to offer bespoke, high-quality, educational tours, each delivered with the same commitment to excellence in customer service. 

“We now have in place the secure foundations for the next stage in our development, enabling us to focus on what we care about most, our customers, our staff, our suppliers, the places we visit, the stories we tell and the organisations we work with.”