Venture Far in liquidation

SPECIALIST wholesaler Venture Far has ceased operations and been placed into liquidation after 39 years of operation (TD breaking news).

In a statement, the South Australia-based company said “the costs and challenges of being a boutique wholesaler, operating in a highly price driven, low margin industry have proven to be too large to overcome”.

Sales, marketing and product arms of the business have ceased immediately but the liquidators have maintained some reservations staff to assist with agent queries.

Venture Far was a member of Magellan Travel Group and last year underwent “major changes”, including a total rebrand from Venture Holidays (TD 03 Oct).

“While we saw improvements from these changes, it has proven not to be enough,” the firm said.

Originally trading as Venture Holidays SA/NT, the business was led by Robert Mackay who had previously headed up Adventure World prior to its acquisition by NRMA and then the Travel Corporation.

In 2009 Venture Holidays SA/ NT also acquired the Venture Holidays trademark from Flight Centre (TD 09 Nov 09) which had in turn picked it up as part of its acquisition of Travel Spirit Group (TD 03 Mar 07).

In 2010 the company became GSA of Explore Worldwide, taking over from Adventure World, but in 2013 the account was awarded to Cox & Kings (TD 27 Mar 2013).

Last week Explore Worldwide announced a return to Adventure World, signing the company as its local GSA (TD 17 Oct).

Just three weeks ago Venture Far announced the release of its 2019/20 Africa brochure, which saw the product range expand into Ethiopia for the first time (TD 04 Oct).

Agents can call 1300 303 343 and select option one for queries regarding bookings.