The founder of G Adventures says he remains on the acquisition trail, despite a couple of deals falling through late last year.
The adventure travel group secured funding from private equity firm Certares in February 2021 to help drive growth as the world emerged from the pandemic.
Poon Tip said at the time that the investment would enable G Adventures to seek merger and acquisition opportunities.
He told a Travel Weekly webcast this week: “In November [2022], we were in the middle of a couple of amazing acquisitions.
“They just fell apart and did not come together.”
He said Certares was an “amazing partner”, adding: “They have been great, extremely patient.
“We need the right [deals]. We are extremely picky.
“I am working on a couple of things.”
The company – now under the new umbrella brand of G Travel Community – is seeking tour operators to widen its customer base, appealing to different age groups, niches and interests such as luxury, biking, scuba diving, wilderness tours and photography, he explained.
It is already the parent of G Touring brands in the UK: Travelsphere, Just You and TruTravels.
Poon Tip did point out that the company has invested in Reforest, a technology start-up, to support the planting of trees to tackle the climate crisis.
Based in Brisbane, Australia, Reforest is a digital platform connecting travellers with communities that are restoring their ecosystems using reforestation.
“That has been a really good investment; the [Reforest] team is amazing,” he added.
Poon Tip also hailed the appointment of Adam Kemp as G Touring’s new managing director as it targets expansion in the UK and across several international markets.
Kemp joined the touring specialist, which operates Travelsphere and Just You, in February.
“It’s going amazingly, Adam is brilliant. It has been incredible what he has done in the first four months,” said Poon Tip.
“Bringing in someone with new ideas and is very collaborative…the team has new wind in their sails.”
Kemp will join Poon Tip for the UK premiere of G Adventures-backed documentary film, The Last Tourist, on Thursday (May 24).
The company will also be hosting hundreds of delegates in Peru in September for its GX summit, which will include 13 travel agents from the UK.
Asked how agents can be in with a chance of attending the event, he said: “Sell lots of G Adventures.”
More: Peru to host ‘groundbreaking’ G Adventures community tourism summit