Intrepid Travel and The Adventure Company have merged their UK operations in a move designed to grow both businesses.
Intrepid Travel’s Westbury office in Wiltshire will shut with staff moving to The Adventure Company’s office in Alton, Hampshire, where 40 people are already employed. This will become the UK and Ireland head office.
“Those that choose not to accept this offer will be given a fair redundancy package and supported in their efforts to find work elsewhere,” a company statement said.
There are 17 staff affected by the office closure and the company has started a 30-day consultation period over the relocation plan.
Intrepid group managing director Geoff Manchester said: “While it is a difficult period for our team in Westbury, we are hopeful they will relocate with us to Alton as we value their passion, professionalism and commitment to the Intrepid brand.”
The aim of the merger is to integrate the two management and sales and marketing teams, with the brand names remaining.
The Adventure Company sells 15% through the trade and 85% direct while Intrepid’s sales in the UK are 50% trade, 50% direct.
A spokeswoman said: “The aim is not to cut costs, it is to work together to maximise sales of both company’s products.
“Intrepid has a strong presence in markets outside the UK and The Adventure Company will benefit from these distribution channels.
“Intrepid aims to increase its sales in the UK through The Adventure Company’s distribution channels.
“The aim of the merger is to triple sales of family holidays across the two brands and double sales in the UK and Ireland.”
Both companies are part of the PEAK Adventure Travel Group, which is 60% owned by Tui Travel and 40% by co-founders of Intrepid.
Manchester said: “We are very much committed to building on the successes of both businesses in the UK market. The potential of bringing greater product choice to UK travellers is very exciting to us and we are confident that we’ve got the right team in place to make this happen.”
Claire Wilson will take on a dual role of managing director of Adventure and UK & Ireland regional director of Intrepid. She will report to Manchester and become part of the Intrepid global management team.
James Thornton becomes Intrepid’s group commercial director with responsibility for the global sales and product divisions for the Intrepid group, reporting to Manchester.