The brands sold to WorldStrides include World Class Vacations and Brightspark US, serving the US educational market, and Brightspark Canada, Jumpstreet and Educatours in Canada.

Bill Irwin, NAEE chief operating officer, said: “We are excited to join a company that lives our mission every day. The opportunities for collaboration, growth and learning are endless and myself and the team look forward to the journey ahead with WorldStrides.”

Andy Duncan, Travelopia chief executive, added: “The NAEE brands are excellent businesses with a strong track record of delivering exceptional developmental travel experiences to students, which fits perfectly within the WorldStrides portfolio.

“Our strategy under KKR ownership is to become the world’s best experiential travel company by focussing on a select number of brands in the Travelopia Group and the sale of these brands is a further step forward towards this ambition.

“I am delighted for Bill and the team as they continue their growth story with WorldStrides. We thank them for their hard work and wish them the best of luck under their new ownership.”