Travel Counsellors, the UK's largest technology platform for travel professionals, has completed its first acquisition in its near 30-year history with the purchase of Holidaysplease.
Top selling destinations such as the US, Spain, Greece, UAE and the Maldives have meant that Travel Counsellors achieved a record-breaking month in January 2023, generating £114 million of platform sales.
The Vitruvian Partners-backed company's growth plans are well underway, with Holidaysplease 20-year industry experience suitably strengthening their reach and offering.
Based in Birmingham, Holidaysplease is made up of approximately 100 home-based travel advisers, 50 franchises and around 50 employees, receiving consistent Trust Pilot 5-star ratings like that of its acquirer.
Steve Byrne, Chief Executive of Travel Counsellors, said: "We are delighted to have acquired such a highly regarded, fast-growing and profitable business with a hugely complementary strategic fit.
"Our strategic goal is to build a community of the very best travel entrepreneurs who are empowered by our technology to deliver exceptional customer experiences.”
Charles Duncombe, Director of Holidaysplease, added: "Travel Counsellors is a business we have long-admired…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."
Hazlewoods Corporate Finance team advised Travel Counsellors on the acquisition, providing financial and taxation due diligence in connection with the transaction.
Hazlewoods Director, Rob Burns, commented, "We are delighted to have supported Travel Counsellors on this acquisition and it has been great working collaboratively with Springboard Corporate Finance to achieve a successful outcome on this transaction - I have no doubt that together, their combined expertise will provide a prosperous and innovative future for them."
Travel Counsellors MD of Corporate Travel, Kieran Hartwell, commented: "Thank you so much for all of your hard work and attention to detail as well as patience along the way.
"You have been a pleasure to work with and hopefully we will have the opportunity to work together again in the future."
If you are considering buying a business, selling your company or are looking for ways to finance your growth plans and would like to find out more about the process, please contact Rob Burns on 01242 237661 or email robert.burns@hazlewoods.co.uk.