TBO expands global footprint
TBO Group has announced the acquisition of Island Hopper and Clickitbookit, which are leading companies in terms of passengers visiting the island nations of Mauritius, Maldives and Seychelles.
The acquisition of Island Hopper and Clickitbookit, which have been a market leader in the Mauritius, Maldives, Seychelles and some Greek islands, is set to boost TBO Group’s leisure travel product footprint and scope in these island nations, believes Ankush Nijhawan, Co-Founder, TBO Group. “With this acquisition, we will become an overnight leader in the island world. This would allow Island Hopper to use the extensive distribution which TBO enjoys today as one of the largest agent networks in India. Going forward, we will further penetrate the Southern India market, which I think, is completely virgin for Island Hopper. The other thing we believe is the right team and mix, and hence 24 of the previous employees of Island Hopper have now moved into TBO Group that will be headed by Sandeep Bhasin,
who was one of the founders of the business.” Nijhawan shared that Bhasin will continue to serve the company as Vice President of Island Hopper under the TBO umbrella. added into these islands, especially Maldives, I’m sure the numbers will just double in 2019 and 2020. At TBO, we are sure that we will continue to be the winner for these islands.” Sandeep Bhasin, Vice President, Island Hopper, said that they took up TBO’s offer of acquisition for a wider distribution. “What better way to continue the legacy of Island Hopper as a brand! What we bring to the table is the Indian Ocean—Mauritius, Maldives, Seychelles and Greece, of which Island Hopper has been a specialist. This would not only mean a high revenue for TBO but also better margins.”
International exposure
TBO, on the other hand, will get excellent contracts and the ground handling in these islands, which they never had earlier, claimed Nijhawan. “On the technology front, we will enjoy seamless integration. Due to the strength of our technology, the system will become more robust and the amazing contracts and deals we have with all our hotel partners in these islands. Island Hopper is an online business selling hotels in these islands, but what is important is the seaplane transfers, local sightseeing and packages in which Island Hopper excels,” he revealed. On the other hand, Nijhawan added, “Island Hopper and from the size and scale of TBO and give them exposure to international markets. We will also walk into other markets with the brand. In fact, the highest number of stays in Mauritius and Maldives come from the UK, Germany and France. Hence, it’s going to be a global company for us, and we will start selling in India for the next few months.”
Focus on South India
Nijhawan shared that Island Hopper will continue functioning as a brand name but the distribution and travel agents would be common. “We would obviously merge the sales team with our current teams. Earlier, Island Hopper had 10 people in sales but today there are 160 people in the sales force promoting Island Hopper with some core senior people from its team responsible for the sales and operations. At TBO, my initial focus will be on South India, apart from Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad, where we have already established our strength,” he claimed. Bhasin discussed the good growth recorded in 2018. “Last year, we closed the Financial Year with about ` 150 crores for Orange as a company, with 50 per cent going to Clickitbookit and 50 per cent to Island Hopper. The idea will be to double Island Hopper’s piece of business to ` 150 crores. We are anticipating to achieve ` 150 crores by March 2020.”