Travel Counsellors has snapped up Birmingham’s Holidaysplease for an undisclosed sum – the first major acquisition in the Manchester-based firm’s three-decade history.
Holidaysplease has approximately 100 home-working travel experts, 50 franchisees, and around 50 employees and generated total transaction value (TTV) of more than £40m in 2022.
TravelCounsellors is backed by Vitruvian Partners and was a pioneer of taking travel sales off the high street, first through phone advisors and later online.
Travel Counsellors CEO Steve Byrne said: “We are delighted to have acquired such a highly regarded, fast-growing and profitable business with a hugely complementary strategic fit.
“Both businesses share incredibly similar cultures, each built on people-led values and a relentless focus on customer care. This is clearly reflected in both brands’ excellent customer feedback and ratings.
“Both businesses share outstanding momentum having each delivered exceptional growth in 2022 as well as record-breaking performances in January 2023, when Travel Counsellors achieved TTV of more than £110m while Holidaysplease recorded the most successful month of trading in its 20-year history.
“I am confident that this combination will only serve to strengthen both business’ momentum and exciting long-term prospects. The acquisition supports our growth strategy as we accelerate towards being a £1bn+ transaction value platform in the near future.”
