Holidaybreak has acquired Hertford Travel Group, the holding company of educational tour operator European Study Tours (EST), for £4.05m.
The acquisition is expected to “marginally” boost Holidaybreak’s earnings in the financial year ending 30 September 2009. EST will sit within Holidaybreak’s education division, which was created from the purchase of PGL and NST in 2007.
EST, which was established in 1983, specialises in bespoke travel and conferences for 16+, higher and further education students. Conferences cover a range of subjects such as history, politics and geography and take place in venues worldwide. The company turned over £5.7m in the year to August 2007.
EST will be combined with NST’s StudyLink operation, which provides group travel for university and college student groups. Current managing director of EST Brendan Jones will lead the enlarged high education team.
Holidaybreak chief executive Carl Michel said: “EST strengthens our position in educational travel. It is a very well run business, with products that allow us to offer a wider range of tours.”