Ex-Cresta boss returns with purchase of Inntravel
The parent company of walking holiday specialist Inntravel has been sold to a private equity firm including former Cresta Holidays boss Steve Kimber.
Inntravel, based in North Yorkshire, was established in 1984 and is a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators.
It is part of the Amber Travel Partnership which also includes York-based Great Rail Journeys and Greece specialist Filoxenia.
All have been acquired by private equity group Primary, an investment team including Kimber who becomes managing director of Amber.
A statement said all brands would retain their separate idenities and all board directors retained “during the current period of transition to ensure that the business can be taken successfully into its next satge of development”.
The value of the purchase has not been revealed. Kimber spent 20 years with Cresta, part of the MyTravel/Airtours group.
Inntravel produces six brochures offers walking, cycling, ski, short breaks and horse-riding holidays.
The operator has won a number of awards including the best short breaks company and best ski company in the 2005 Guardian and Observer Travel Awards. The operator’s website was also voted best tour operator website.
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps