Ski Solutions’ parent company Pebble Travel is looking to buy at least one other cycling specialist to further expand its summer programme to complement its winter sports operation.
It bought Cycling for Softies late last year and has just signed a deal with Advantage Travel Centres to sell through its specialist agents.
Pebble Travel had already launched its own cycling brand, BSpoke, in 2014 after buying the assets of collapsed bike touring specialist Bents Bicycle & Walking Tours.
The company is now eyeing other niche opertors that might be ripe for acquisitions. Pebble Travel lead investor and Ski Solutions’ MD Craig Burton said he believes the cycling market has ‘huge’ growth potential in the UK.
"Cycling has been magnificent for us," said Burton, adding that the two brands will carry 1,000 passengers this year and turnover £1 million.
"We are going to buy more businesses. There are several firms out there doing around 400 passengers a year and we would like to buy a road bike business so we can offer longer tours."
Both BSpoke and Softies offer self-guided cycle tours backed up with support teams in the destination who transport customers’ bags to each of the different destinations on the itinerary. BSpoke offers mainly B&B and three-star accommodation in a number of countries including Croatia and Slovenia. Softies offers more luxurious, gourmet breaks in France.
Pebble’s entry into the soft adventure market has also seen it selling through other travel agents for the first time. Ski Solutions, which is part travel agent, part tour operator, is purely direct sell.
As margins on cycling breaks are higher than on ski holidays, Burton said the operator was able to offer travel agents commission to sell BSpoke and Softies. "We feel that with this product, opening up that route to market is beneficial," he said.
