Coach holiday operator adds cruise, European air and event breaks
CHELTENHAM – JG Travel Group (JGTG), the group tour specialist that exclusively provides coach holidays in association with the National Trust, has acquired Omega Holidays Group (OHG) to create a formidable new player in the travel sector with a turnover of more than £35 million.
Today’s acquisition by Cheltenham-based JGTG, formerly Just Go! Holidays, puts Omega Holidays and Cruise Connections in the same portfolio as Just Go! Holidays and Albion Journeys. These trusted brands focus on older travellers aged between 60 and 80, and will now be able to provide customers with significantly more choice and greater value for money across a wider geographic area.
The newly extended range of inspiring and affordable products will include door-to-door coach tours, short breaks centring on events, and worldwide cruise offers, including JGTG’s exclusive coach holidays in association with the National Trust and Historic Houses Association. OHG’s European air holidays and special air charters will also boost the new brand’s appeal and reach.
The move signals an exciting period of significant inorganic growth for JGTG through the acquisition of synergistic brands offering complementary products, backed by Kings Park Capital, a private equity firm specialising in investments in the leisure sector. JGTG is a highly successful business with an enviable customer base, which continues to innovate and embrace new holiday concepts. In 2016, under its previous name Just Go! Holidays, the group embarked on a significant growth journey with private-equity backing, which resulted in the formation of JGTG.
OHG is the first of a number of planned acquisitions aimed at transforming JGTG into a major travel provider for the older customer. Backed by a highly supportive private equity group and with a strong leadership team, JGTG is set to continue expanding through acquisition into 2020 and beyond. The company will continue to develop strong partnerships with travel agencies.
Luis Arteaga, Group Chairman and Chief Executive of JGTG, said: “The combination of these two significant businesses will offer customers a wide range of unique, experiential holidays at value prices and marks the initial step in the development and growth of the ambitious JG Travel Group.”
Nigel Adams, former owner of OHG, who becomes Commercial Director of JGTG, and remains Director of Omega and Cruise Connections, added: “JGTG offers great products at value prices and always puts its customers first. We believe these core values are shared by the Omega family of brands. Together we will offer significant value to an expanded customer base and we look forward to the exciting future growth plans.”
Dino Toouli, Head of Trade Sales at Omega Holidays, said: “We are thrilled about this enlarged travel group that will be able to offer a wider range of great-value products to our retail customers. Commitment to our retail partners remains strong and we look forward to building this growing travel brand with their support.”
JGTG’s new management team also includes Matthew Eastlake, Sales and Marketing Director, Paul Mason, Director of Product and Operations, Helen Moylan, Human Resources Director, and Gary Turner, Finance Director.
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