Imperium, Intrepid deal

IMPERIUM Capital Group has acquired Adventure Tours Australia (ATA) from Intrepid, in order to grow the footprint of its Discovery Adventure Group business (TD breaking news).

Discovery Adventure Group currently operates businesses on Queensland’s Fraser Island as well as near Byron Bay in NSW, with the deal seeing it expand into Central and Western Australia.

As well as ATA, Imperium will hold a stake in Outback Tour Services (OTS) and is taking on some Kimberley Wild Expeditions assets, which will be used to run west coast and Kimberley trips.

Intrepid CEO, James Thornton, said the divestment was part of a strategy to simplify the Intrepid global brand portfolio.

The acquisition is effective immediately, with Imperium/ Discovery Adventure Group owner Andrew Cox saying the deal would “ensure our guests receive the same fantastic experience wherever in the country they are.”

ATA Brand Product Manager, David “Thommo” Thomson, will transition to Discovery Adventure Group, along with Rebecca Hargrave and OTS General Manager, Pieter Bosch.

Tour guides and operations staff in Alice Springs, Yulara, Darwin and Perth will continue to work for OTS and operate ATA trips under the new structure.

ATA became part of Intrepid during its four-year partnership with UK travel giant TUI.

Product and pricing is already in place for 2020, meaning it will be business as usual for agents, partners and suppliers of ATA, OTS and Intrepid, the firms said.