Specialist tour operator Wexas is seeking fresh acquisitions after selling its business travel division to Good Travel Management.
The sale of Wexas Travel Management to the Yorkshire-based SME business travel specialist for an undisclosed sum includes both the purchase of the corporate client base as well as the transfer of 21 employees.
The acquisition will add 70% growth to the turnover of Good Travel Management, bringing its headcount up to more than 50.
The newly acquired team will continue to work from their central London location, with support from Good Travel Management based in Hessle.
Wexas managing director Katherine Gershon said: “As part of Wexas, Wexas Travel Management has a 40-year heritage of looking after corporate clients and their travel needs, with a fantastic team of employees and an outstanding client base.
“We have carefully chosen Good Travel Management as the new owner of Wexas Travel Management because they share our passion for exceptional service, with a focus on both clients and employees, specialising in the SME space.
“Like Wexas, Good Travel Management is an independent business, part of the Hull-based John Good Group, which has been owned by the Good family for 190 years. We are delighted to be handing over the business and entrusting our outstanding team to them and wish them all the best in the future.”
She added: “Looking forward, the strategy for Wexas is to develop our core tour operating business, which today we operate under three brands – namely Wexas Travel, The Luxury Holiday Company and our specialist Scandinavian operator, Best Served Scandinavia.
“As well as organic growth, we are also looking to grow through acquisition and the sale of Wexas Travel Management puts us in an excellent position to pursue this.”
Good Travel Management managing director Kevin Harrison said: “We’ve been an admirer of Wexas’ corporate business for a number of years.
“They’re known for high quality service, delivered by a very experienced team. In an industry where the quality of people makes the difference, we believe this acquisition complements our business and aspirations perfectly.
“The joining of these two corporate travel teams will create benefits for both sets of customers and this acquisition reinforces our commitment to delivering the best travel service experience for customers.
“Together, we will continue to shape the future of corporate travel while leaving a positive impact on the travellers and businesses we serve.”
The John Good business can trace its travel industry routes back to the late 1890s, at which time it was looking after passengers travelling to and from Scandinavia.
It became one of the first travel management companies to be recognised by Iata in 1946.
Good Travel Management is a member of the John Good Group of companies, which traces its roots back to 1833. The group has interests in shipping, logistics, warehousing, property and travel.