UK company acquires two US operators for $165 million
First Choice, a leading international leisure travel company, has expanded its presence in the US with the acquisition of two operators.
The UK group has bought INTRAV from Kuoni for $65 million. The company specializes in small ship adventure travel, European river cruises, private jet expeditions and premium escorted tours worldwide.
First Choice has also acquired Grand Expeditions for nearly $100 million from US private equity fund North Castle Partners.
Grand Expeditions operates six companies, principally catering for the 45 – 65 year age groups:
· The Moorings – a premier yacht charter company
· Travcoa – a premium luxury escorted travel expert with a cultural or historical bias
· TCS Expeditions – a leading provider of private jet expeditions around the world
· International Expeditions and Park East – providers of premium escorted nature-based tours Country Walkers – a leading provider of worldwide group escorted walking tours
First Choice Holidays PLC is a leading international leisure travel company. It operates from 17 major source markets, has 8 million customers and 72 brands. The Group reported profit before tax, goodwill amortization and exceptional items of $ 200m for the year ended 31 October 2005. The Group operates in four Sectors each offering a particular type of leisure travel experience. It could be a two-week holiday in the Mediterranean or Florida, a trek up Mount Kilimanjaro, sailing in the Caribbean, a cultural tour in Egypt or booking a hotel for a weekend away.
David
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 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026