Roche, speaking after the news that The Adventure People had received its second seven-figure cash injection in two years, told TTG the company will grow 100% over the next few months despite the surge in living costs as well as high interest rates, which are eating away at people’s savings.
“Actually this year is going to be tough,” he said on Monday (29 January). “Consumer confidence is so diluted and the overall market has shrunk.”
Roche added consumers will likely move away from the experience and adventure markets this summer, favouring instead beach holidays due to tour operators discounting to fill in their seats after excessively increasing their capacity.
The Adventure People will still perform, Roche said, and will earmark this latest cash injection for expansion into foreign markets such as the US, Australia and New Zealand. The new funding comes from current investors, which include former Bourne Leisure majority shareholder the Harris Family.
The investment will also help the company continue to invest in its bespoke technology and expand its team to get the “best people”, Roche added.
“We’re in no rush to hire people; we will hire over the course of the year,” he explained. “But we’re going to be very picky, hiring only the best people in different sectors of the business.”
Looking ahead, Roche is certain of his objective: turning The Adventure People into a global market leader.
“If we look at the sector itself, there aren’t many aggregators and retailers and there are hardly any that sell flights,” he said. “And in this sector we’re certainly the leading online company.”
