Travel tech platform buys online travel company

AN ONLINE travel company has been acquired by a technology platform for travel entrepreneurs, marking the company’s first acquisition in its near 30-year history. Birmingham-based Holidaysplease has been bought by Manchester outfit Travel Counsellors in an undisclosed deal.

The Jewellery Quarter firm has around 100 home-working travel experts, 50 franchisees, and around 50 employees. Holidaysplease director Charles Duncombe added: “We are delighted that Holidaysplease is joining the Travel Counsellors community.

“Travel Counsellors is a business we have long-admired for its relentless customer focus, multi-award-winning proposition, and outstanding, technology-led growth.

“The opportunity to become part of such a strong, fast-growing business with significant growth prospects was incredibly compelling.

“I have no doubt that our business and our teams of travel advisors and franchisees will continue to thrive and be cared for as part of Travel Counsellors.

“I am looking forward to working closely with Steve and the rest of the Travel

Counsellors team to deliver our ambitious shared vision for the future.”

Travel Counsellors is backed by private equity house Vitruvian Partners which also has stakes in the likes of Sykes Holiday Cottages, Trustpilot and Twinkl and has also previously backed Just Eat and Skyscanner.

Travel Counsellors’ chief executive Steve Byrne added: “We are delighted to have acquired such a highly regarded, fast-growing and profitable business with a hugely complementary strategic fit.

“I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the entire Holidaysplease community.

“We are incredibly excited at what this combination will mean for both businesses, our communities of travel experts and our customers.

“I am confident that this combination will only serve to strengthen both business’ momentum and exciting long-term prospects.”