Inside Travel seals £20m backing Juliet Dennis


Inside Travel Group is targeting an “exciting next phase of growth” after confirming a £20 million investment in the business. The operator of the InsideJapan


and InsideAsia tour brands has secured investment from Piper, a Certified B Corporation and specialist investor in consumer brands, and Cool Japan Fund, Japan’s sovereign wealth fund focused on promoting Japanese culture globally. The funding will support founders


Simon King and Alastair Donnelly alongside their senior leadership team, which will continue to be chaired by Ian Simkins, previously


chief executive of Audley Travel. The company has grown


significantly since 2022, when Japan was among the last destinations to reopen post-Covid. The same year it received an initial investment from Blandford Capital. Donnelly, who co-founded the


company in 2000, said: “We have seen incredible growth over the past few years. We’re thrilled to partner with Piper, with their deep brand expertise, and Cool Japan for this exciting next phase of growth. “Most importantly, we will


continue to provide an incredible service and amazing experiences for our customers and trade partners. We are eager to work together to achieve


P&O Cruises says Norse flights will please customers


Juliet Dennis


P&O Cruises is confident agents’ clients will receive “consistently high” service following the start of Norse Atlantic Airways flights to replace the controversial Maleth Aero contract. The first P&O Cruises charter


flight by Norse Atlantic to serve ships in the Caribbean this winter left Manchester airport on November 1. The low-cost long-haul carrier


has replaced Maleth Aero, the subject of potential legal action after flight delays last winter. Agents’ clients


6 7 NOVEMBER 2024


also complained about a lack of premium seating and entertainment on Maleth Aero flights. Carnival UK and P&O Cruises


president Paul Ludlow said the cruise line had taken on board feedback. He said: “We’ve listened to our


agents and guests about what they expect from a fly-cruise experience with P&O Cruises. “We know flights play a key role in


the overall holiday experience, which is why we chose to partner with Norse, alongside Tui Airways and Virgin Atlantic. These partnerships underpin our commitment to


Bringing on board


investors who share our values will benefit our customers and local communities


even greater success into the future.” The company has more than 250


employees and achieved B Corp certification in May 2023. This year has been Inside Travel


Group’s most successful to date, with revenue reaching £65 million, 33% higher than 2023, which was also a strong year. Donnelly added: “Having rapidly


rebuilt the business post-Covid, bringing on board investors who share our values and commitment to ‘travel as a force for good’ will benefit our customers, suppliers and the local communities we work with across our destinations. “We will be working with our new


partners to expand our destination offering in Asia as well as increase our commitment to community- based tourism as we strive to continue to improve the overall sustainability of our business.” Dan Stern, a partner at Piper, who


led the deal, said: “We’re looking forward to backing the Inside Travel Group team as they embark on this next stage of growth.”


P&O Cruises’ Tom Driscoll (seventh from right) with Norse Atlantic Airways representatives and crew


ensuring guests are as happy with their airline as they are on our ships, and we are confident guests will receive a consistently high level of service during every element of their holiday.” Cruise.co.uk influencer Holly


Crabtree, a former agent of 35 years, was among those on board the first Norse flight. Crabtree, who flew in premium economy, said: “I was surprised; the flight was incredible. “When the seats reclined they


were not far off a lie-flat bed and it was really spacious. There were more than 200 movies to watch, the food was really good and the


friendliness of the crew stood out.” Agents said they looked forward


to clients experiencing the new charters after last year’s problems. Henbury Travel owner Richard


Slater said: “Lessons have been learnt. We have clients going soon and they have been reassured flights will be with well-known names, offering modern aircraft and comfy, spacious seats.” Norse Atlantic’s aircraft will fly


weekly on Fridays from Manchester to Barbados until next March. Saturday flights will also run on alternating weeks from Gatwick and Manchester to Antigua/Barbados.


travelweekly.co.uk


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