News / Inside Travel Group
Significant investment fuels growth of Bristol-based travel group in Asia
Inside Travel Group has announced a significant new investment from private investment group, Blandford Capital LLP.
The transaction was coordinated by regional, and travel-sector focused teams at accounting firm, KPMG’s corporate finance division, which provides lead advisory services together with legal advisory to the company throughout from Bristol-based law firm, TLT.
As part of the deal, Blandford Capital have also introduced former Audley Travel chief executive and current chair of The Thinking Traveller Ian Simkins to the company, as well as David Wiseman as non-executive director. The three bring many years of industry and business expertise to Inside Travel Group.
The Bristol-based Asia tour specialist hopes the investment will fuel its growth as Asia and Japan ease travel restrictions and open their borders once again.
Ian Simkins is currently chair of The Thinking Traveller, an award-winning villa rental company specialising in luxury villas in the Mediterranean regions – photo: Inside Travel Group
Inside Travel Group began as InsideJapan in 2000 and has since built a reputation as one of the leading independent Japan travel specialists.
Its sister-brand, InsideAsia Tours continues to grow and reinforce its reputation as a provider of cultural adventures across the region.
Ian Simkins hopes the deal would support this growth further: “The InsideJapan and InsideAsia brands have a brilliant reputation with their clients and travel partners throughout the industry.
“We all see enormous potential in the continued growth of Japan, and the InsideAsia brand with its expanded portfolio of destinations including Malaysia, Borneo, Thailand, and South Korea.”
David Wiseman will become non-executive director of the company – Photo: David Wiseman
Inside Travel Group’s co-founders, Simon King and Alastair Donnelly, hope the move will strengthen the company’s focus on sustainable travel.
“We are unanimously committed to the growth of sustainable and responsible travel, and gaining B-Corp status”, Alastair Donnelly, co-founder of the company said.
Japan recently opened its borders to fully escorted trips, with InsideJapan one of the first to run small group tours again.
With the further easing of Japan’s border restrictions expected imminently, Thailand announcing the tapering of entry requirements from July and other countries opening without restrictions, it looks like Asia is back on the map again for the Bristol travel group.
Main photo: Inside Travel Group
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