Luxury travel firm reaps reward of TV exposure
Bespoke luxury getaway specialist the Inspiring Travel Company has benefited from TV exposure in the BBC documentary The Millionaires’ Holiday Club to the tune of a 13% increase in revenue to £92m.
In the year to April, 2017, turnover rose from £81m the prior year while profits also grew from £3.9m to £4.3m.
The company, based in Chester, said the documentary which provided a behind-the-scenes look into the world of luxury travel had significantly raised the company’s profile.
ITC was backed by NorthEdge Capital in August last year. The mid-market private equity firm acquired a majority stake and backed the management team which is led by Jennifer Atkinson.
The company said much of its growth was down to an increase in repeat bookings from high-net-worth customers.
ITC, which was set up in 1974, operates at the top end of the luxury travel market with the average spend of a single holiday standing at £15,000. This year, the firm’s largest booking was more than £300,000.
Chief executive Jennifer Atkinson said: “We have developed a strong and loyal customer base who repeatedly turn to us to create experiences in some of the world’s most exclusive destinations.
“Much of the growth has been down to the hard work of our travel specialists who have the passion and enthusiasm to make sure that every client’s holiday is the best it can possibly be.
“Partnering with NorthEdge has enabled us to remain focussed on our core business strategy of providing luxury holidays.
“The firm’s ongoing support will be invaluable as we look to identify further strategic acquisitions and explore new markets including ski holidays and luxury villas. I am confident that the year ahead will be just as strong and we’re excited about further growth.”
Phil Frame, investment director at NorthEdge Capital and non-executive director at ITC, added: “Jen and the rest of the management team have done a fantastic job in carving out a niche at the top end of the luxury travel market.
“The business has performed well despite uncertainty surrounding Brexit and poor exchange rates, so we look forward to strengthening the offer even further as market conditions become more favourable.”
The business, which was the first travel company to charter Concorde and employs 65 travel specialists, completed 12,000 bookings in the last financial year.
It also operates a number of other sister brands including Western & Oriental, Rainbow Tours, Villa Select, Regent Holidays, ITC Sports Travel and Horse Racing Abroad.
Atkinson is the speaker at a Businesswomen’s Lunch hosted by TheBusinessDesk on Friday, September 22 at Menagerie, One New Bailey in Manchester. To book tickets, click here
