Mergers and acquisitions

Aspen Travel owner ready to sell up after more than 30 years

Brendan Clancy, who recently turned 70 and is looking to retire, is seeking buyers for his Greater Manchester-based retail and online business

Perfect Getaways targets 10 more shops across north-west by 2028

The Merseyside-based agency reported bookings generated more than £22.5 million in the financial year that ran from 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2024, with commission payments reaching £2.3 million.

Frantic fortnight of travel firm sales expected ahead of Budget

Company owners are racing against the clock to seal mergers and acquisitions ahead of the Budget on 30 October and expected tax rises, observers say

Travelopia seeks new owners for Citalia and Sovereign

The travel group said it is seeking new owners for Citalia, Sovereign & American Holidays, Experience Education, YMT Vacations and Sawadee

The pursuit of value, and five other things agents should watch out for in 2025

Consumers pursuit of value, their confidence to book with agents and the spending power of the so-called ‘silver traveller’ market emerged as key talking points at TTG’s Agenda 2024 Autumn Breakfast this week

Caribtours promises trade loyalty and new destinations following merger

Caribtours has completed its merger with US-based ID Travel Group, hinting at new destinations and acquisitions while promising not to expand ’for the sake of it’

Thomas Cook boss spells out ambitions for brand under new owner

Thomas Cook will expand into new European markets under its new Polish parent, Alan French tells TTG

Thomas Cook acquired by Poland's eSky Group

The iconic Cook brand, which was acquired by China’s Fosun Tourism Group in November 2019, will live on under new ownership

Singapore group to bring ‘entry-level’ luxury to London with new hotel

KOP Group will open its second UK property in Kensington later this month

Singapore Airlines gets go-ahead to take stake in Air India Group

Singapore Airlines will take a 25% stake in Air India Group following approval by the Indian government, cementing the partnership between the two giants

SAS hails new era as it exits bankruptcy with Air France-KLM onboard

SAS Scandinavian Airlines says it will join SkyTeam as Air France-KLM becomes a major shareholder following its exit from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

Norse Atlantic to slim fleet, review network and embrace the GDS after latest loss

Norse Atlantic is working on a restructuring of its operations after another three-month loss that will see it review its route network, lease aircraft and start selling fares via the GDS

‘Apprenticeships are a second chance and vital to us,' says Dame Irene Hays

Dame Irene Hays tells BBC Radio 4 programme how important apprentices are to the business and remembers the pandemic and Thomas Cook acquisition

British Airways owner IAG abandons plan to buy Air Europa for second time

British Airways’ owner says demand for travel remains “robust” this year

What's driving the resurgent M&A interest in the travel sector?

After the travel industry was forced to all-but shut down during the Covid-19 pandemic, Houlihan Lokey director Thomas Barnard explores the factors driving the industry’s resurgence – and renewed interest in its prospects

Deal for The Travel Corporation to end 100 years of private, family ownership

Deal for Uniworld, Contiki and Trafalgar parent agreed with US asset manager Apollo, ending more than 100 years of private TTC ownership

Byway to expand into new markets after securing £5 million fresh funding

The slow travel specialist will use the cash to expand into new markets and new roles across several departments, including in technology, product and finance

Travelpack boss says agents will benefit from deal to rescue failed travel brands

London-based long-haul specialist agrees deal to acquire Infinity Media brands Infinity Tours, Infinity Cruises and Infinity Sports, and says agents will benefit from the additions

Lufthansa Group buys into Italy's ITA Airways

Lufthansa Group has added ITA Airways to its stable after securing European Commission approval for a minority stake in the carrier

Norse Atlantic Airways to update investors on funding search

Norse Atlantic Airways will detail its financial progress next week as it seeks investment and looks for charter opportunities for its aircraft next winter

Youtravel extends cancellations into late July following FTI failure

Bed bank cancels all active bookings for arrivals up to and including 26 July

Saudi government to buy larger stake in Heathrow airport

Paris-based Ardian will acquire a 22.6% stake, while Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will buy a 15% stake – up from a previously agreed 10%

Fred Olsen Travel expansion continues with acquisition of 21st branch

Solent World Travel in Lee-on-Solent becomes the agency’s latest acquisition, its eighth new or acquired agency since 2021

Major Travel outlines growth targets following acquisition by InteleTravel

’Our vision is to become the leading trade-exclusive tour operator in the UK within the next five years,’ says tailor-made operator’s managing director Qasim Gulamhusein