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Global Travel Group buys online Sunmaster
The Global Travel Group has acquired the Bradford-based online travel business Sunmaster.
Meanwhile, Midlands-based home working group Kwik Travel has joined Global’s Independent Options, marking the first step by the group into the home working arena.
Sunmaster is Global’s largest agent and 97% of its business is derived from online sales.
Sunmaster has grown from a small local telesales travel agent to a major online travel business via the Icelolly.com brand. Adrian Walton will continue as managing director.
Global described the deal as a “strategic acquisition” as part of a two-year plan to protect members from falling commissions and direct selling.
The deal adds guaranteed distribution for tour operator partners plus the ability to expand the business through the Global’s new dynamic packaging solution. Sunmaster utilises “unique” software and has a team of dedicated search engine and web optimisation specialists.
Walton said: “I was delighted when Global approached me, we have ambitious plsn for our online brands to move forward and I have 100% faith in our mutual capabilities.”
A Global statement said: “Together with our recent set of innovations – Global Travel Web, Globalrooms.com, Globalairfaresonline.com, Destination2, the group ATOL and the Global dynamic packaging solution – we will continue to look at strong businesses that underpin our multi-channel distribution and supply.”
Kwik Travel has a turnover of more than £35 million, operates a call centre and has over 100 travel advisors throughout the UK.
The deal strengthens Kwik Travel’s home worker proposition commercially and by implementing Global’s new dynamic packaging solution will increase Kwik’s online presence and improve call generation from the web, the group said.
Kwik Travel chairman and managing director Arnold Walsh said: “We have been talking to Global for some time now about how our respective organisations could assist each other in moving forward. With a gross profit that is 30% higher than other major home working organisations, my focus is on growth of the home worker estate and an online strategy that will decrease my reliance upon one medium”.
Report by Phil Davies
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