VOSAIO Travel Group, a specialist European DMC (Destination Management Company), has acquired Operation Europe, a longstanding expert in special interest European Group Tours.
Backed by BGF, one of the largest growth capital investors in the UK and Ireland, VOSAIO has broad reach into Asian and South American source markets, curating group tours for its B2B customers into destination markets across Europe.
Its proprietary technology enabled workflow assures service excellence for its customers.
This move is part of VOSAIO’s “ambitious” plans for growth, which includes acquiring complementary specialist brands, such as Operation Europe.
With a reputation for creative tour design and outstanding customer support, Operation Europe has been delivering special interest tours to its international B2B customer base for 40 years. Its founders, Tom Barrett and Jeremy Hawes, plan to remain with the business.
Tom Barrett & Jeremy Hawes, directors of Operation Europe, commented: “We are delighted to have agreed to become part of the VOSAIO family, their scale and technology expertise will enable Operation Europe to thrive and we look forward to working with the VOSAIO team to bring the best of both organisations together.”
Martin Knuepfer, CEO of VOSAIO, added: “We have known and respected the Operation Europe business for many years, and we look forward to welcoming the team into the VOSAIO Travel Group and helping them to continue to prosper.”
VOSAIO secured a multi-million investment from BGF in May 2024. As part of the deal, BGF took a minority stake in the business with funding being used to expand VOSAIO’s market reach, leadership team and tech platform.
Zahir Kasmani, investor at BGF, said: “This acquisition marks a pivotal step in the company’s expansion plans and we’re excited by the potential to drive further growth within the B2B international group travel market.”
VOSAIO was supported by KPMG and Burness Paul. Operation Europe was supported by Summit Advisory and Hill Dickinson.
Deborah Potts, founding director of Summit Advisory, said: “This transaction brings two highly impressive and complementary businesses together and we are delighted to have assisted in facilitating this truly exciting business marriage.”
