Simpson Travel buys Alternative Escapes
Simpson Travel has acquired Alternative Escapes, encompassing the Alternative Aquitaine and Alternative Portugal brands.
Both will continue to operate as stand-alone brands with their own websites ‘for the foreseeable future’.
Joint owners, Justin and Claire Ashby, and Alex and Helen Spalding, will all remain on board to ensure continuity.
The acquisition significantly increases the number of destinations that Simpson will feature in its 2019 programme.
It will help extend the group’s reach in France to include properties in Hossegor, Cap Ferret, Biarritz and the Basque Country in the Aquitaine Coast region and Tavira and the Silver Coast in Portugal.
Chairman Graham Simpson said: "We are delighted to announce the news of this acquisition, which is a perfect fit for the Simpson brand, and to welcome Justin, Claire, Alex and Helen. Since Simpson Travel’s launch in 2002, we have continually sought to offer our clients a handpicked choice of beautiful villas – and more recently boutique hotels – around Europe.
"We have a very loyal clientele, who love what we offer, and we are keen to keep expanding our choice of destinations."
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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