Travelbag is to open new high street travel agencies next year following its acquisition by Stella Travel Services UK.
The long haul and tailor-made retailer has been sold for £7 million by Travelport to Stella Travel Services UK, which also owns travel agency chain Harvey World Travel and tour operator Travel 2/4.
Travelbag has branches in London, Solihull, Cheltenham, Winchester, Knutsford, Nottingham, Alton and Brighton and employs 15 people in each.
Stella Travel Services UK managing director Andrew Laurie said there are plans to expand the chain, with potential locations already chosen.
He said: “We expect to open a handful of new branches in the first year. It always comes down to finding the right locations, size and price.”
There are no plans to rebrand any of the Travelbag or Harvey World Travel shops.
Laurie added: “Travelbag will continue to operate independently. It is a terrific brand with fantastic people and is a perfect fit for our business.”
Travelbag managing director Rick Weber will continue in his role, reporting to Laurie. The management team and administrative departments will move from the Strand, London, to Stella Travel Services UK’s north London offices.
Laurie would not rule out further acquisitions but said the primary focus would be on the existing businesses. Travelbag employs about 200 administrative and retail staff. No redundancies are planned.
Travelbag was previously part of online travel provider Orbitz Worldwide, a division of Travelport. Orbitz Worldwide chief executive Steve Barnhart said the sale would allow Orbitz to focus on its core business.