Seligo acquires Italy specialist
Mainly direct-sell operator Carefree Travel Group is to be sold through the trade following its acquisition by accommodation-only firm Seligo.
The deal for Carefree, which specialises in villa and hotel accommodation in Italy under the Carefree Italy brand, has not been disclosed.
But it has been flagged as the first of several niche acquisitions by Seligo.
Angelo Carraro and David Davies, the former owners of the company, will be retiring. Carraro is to be a travel industry consultant.
Seligo chairman Steven Freudmann said: “When I joined Seligo at the end of last year, we set out a new strategy to acquire niche specialist businesses and we intend that Carefree is the first of several acquisitions over the coming months.
“Carefree is primarily a direct sell company with a huge range of villas throughout Italy.
“It is our intention in the next few weeks to make all of the Carefree properties available for sale through Seligo, so that travel agents can maximise their sales opportunities to Italy.”
Seligo managing director Diane Mosson added: “There are many low cost flights operated into Italy, and travel agents will now be able to dynamically package holidays utilising Seligo villas and hotels.
“We will have more than 1,000 villas and apartments throughout Italy, including Sicily and Sardinia, with a substantial presence in Tuscany where we have more than 250.”
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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