Specialist cruise agency sold
Specialist cruise agency Ideal Cruising has been soldto lowcostbeds.com for an undisclosed sum.
The deal for the agency, founded four years ago by managing director Tony Youster, is expected to be completed before Christmas and is subject to shareholder approval, final legal negotiations and due diligence.
Camberley-based Ideal Cruising will be a wholly owned subsidiary and will be run on an arms length basis, with its current management team remaining in place to further grow its revenues and profits.
Ideal’s total transaction value is expected to exceed £28 million and the company is profitable.
Lowcostbeds.com CEO Paul Evans said: “We are delighted to have reached agreement with the management team at Ideal to bring them in to the lowcost group.
“Ideal is a very successful business, consistently growing revenues and profits since entering the cruise industry four years ago.
“We plan to invest in the management team, technology, staff and marketing to further grow Ideal’s cruise business.
“The Ideal trading cycle complements the seasonality of lowcostbeds.com’s core beach and city holidays and together we will create a stronger group.â€
Youster added: “Ideal has grown rapidly over the last four years and we see huge opportunities in the growing cruise sector to further add value to the cruise operators’ distribution models.â€
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
Have your say Cancel reply
Subscribe/Login to Travel Mole Newsletter
Travel Mole Newsletter is a subscriber only travel trade news publication. If you are receiving this message, simply enter your email address to sign in or register if you are not. In order to display the B2B travel content that meets your business needs, we need to know who are and what are your business needs. ITR is free to our subscribers.

































TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports