Inghams buys Inntravel

Inghams Travel has bought walking, cycling, and winter activity specialist Inntravel for an undisclosed sum.

Inntravel, based in North Yorkshire, was founded by Richard and Linda Hearn in 1984 and was sold to Primary Capital/Amber Travel in 2005.

A spokeswoman for Inghams said the Inntravel brand would be retained and run separately, and there were no plans to relocate the business to Inghams' offices in Putney, London.

She also said there would be no job losses among Inntravel's 60 staff.

The existing Inntravel general manager, Karl Watson, will stay in the role but report to Inghams commercial director Hugh Walton.

Although the operators' programmes share particular summer and winter resorts, Inghams said there were no immediate plans to consolidate them.

Steve Kimber, managing director of Inntravel's former parent Amber Travel, said: “Inntravel has grown significantly during the past two years and we are pleased that a solid and profitable company such as Inghams has decided to acquire the Inntravel business.

“Inghams already has great experience in many of the areas featured by Inntravel. This will allow the Inntravel management under the leadership of Karl Watson, their general manager, to further grow the business and make it even more successful in the future.”

Litsa Constantinou, CEO of Ingham’s parent Hotelplan UK, said: “We are delighted with this acquisition as it fits perfectly with our business. Inntravel has a superb reputation in the market place and a very loyal staff and customer base. We strongly believe that Inghams and Inntravel can work closely together to maximise future opportunities.”

By Bev Fearis

Thursday, February 7, 2008