NEWS TRAVEL WEEKLY BUSINESS CONTINUED FROM THE BACK


is professional. ut some are not taking responsibility.” uncan forecast: “It’s going


to become a big issue.” However, he said: “I don’t


think we should start with regulations in travel. There is a strong argument for regulation in the media, particularly around the use of data, because these businesses have had a long time to get their act together and they have not. “Travel is different. It would


be right for there to be industry discussion and guidelines, but regulation should be a last resort.” He argued: “ou can get industries to raise their game if you have the right forum for it.” uncan added: “The travel industry is going through a lot of change, there is a lot more to come and not every business is ready for that. “We went through the digital


revolution in my time in the media. I launched digital T service Freeview at the C, and at Channel  we launched the world’s first online broadcast platform. Travel is only partially through that ourney. “There are some very significant digital travel businesses, but also some significant legacy businesses that need to adapt to be successful in the modern world. et there is a degree of resistance to change. “Another big change is in competition  you not only have to compete in the traditional market, but there are disruptors coming in and you have to think about who your competitors are. “Taking a company in the


right direction is a challenge in a world full of change.”


› The Travel Convention 2019, October 7-9, Tokyo. thetravelconvention.com


Travelopia seeks buyer for sporting events portfolio


Ian Taylor ian.taylor@travelweekly.co.uk


Travelopia has put its sporting events businesses up for sale alongside its education portfolio, for which it has been seeking a buyer for the past year.


Chief executive Andy Duncan confirmed his intention to sell the sports business, which includes AST Sports, ullivers Sports Travel, Masterclass Sports Tours and Teamlink Sports Tours. He said: “We are actively selling


the business. We’re selling all our sports businesses in the UK and Australia. They are great businesses, but it’s about making the portfolio consistent. The businesses will be better under alternative ownership.” Travelopia put its education


division up for sale more than a year ago. uncan gave no details but said: “We’re in the middle of selling the business.” uncan said: “These businesses


had been non-core, non-strategic for a long time under Tui. They were ust ticking over.” The group is also looking to acuire businesses. uncan


Duncan’s arrival brings restructure and fresh faces


The Travelopia group has been restructured and the management team bolstered by executives from outside the travel sector since chief executive Andy Duncan joined the company in March last year. Duncan said: “We had been a series of local businesses, with Travelopia as the holding


70travelweekly.co.uk18 April 2019


company. Now we’re run not only as strong, entrepreneurial businesses, but also to maximise the enefits of eing a grou  developing strong technology, marketing, cross-selling and customer enefits across the business.”


A management restructure in


June last year saw Matt Hill join as chief oerating officer from


ON TRACK: Travelopia is investing heavily across the group


confirmed: “We ust bought Enchanting Travels  a luxury, tech-enabled, tailor-made travel company with headuarters in ermany, but very big in the US  and I would expect more acuisitions along the way.” Travelopia acuired Enchanting


Travels for an undisclosed sum in February. Now, he said: “We have massive


investment to put into the business. We’ve invested 1 million in a new polar ship. We’ve ordered two new ets for the private et business.


We’ve made a massive investment in the yacht business after 3 yachts in the ritish irgin Islands were wiped out by Hurricane Irma. We’re investing across the group.” The former Tui Specialist roup,


Travelopia, was bought by private euity investor KKR in 1 for 3 million. uncan said: “We’re making big changes in the portfolio. KKR were very happy to buy the business and are happy to invest in it. They and we take a long-term view to unlock the potential of Travelopia.”


Kraft Heinz and Sally Cowdry move from National Lottery operator Camelot to become Travelopia chief customer officer and managing director of the tailor-made division. Duncan himself headed Camelot for six years. He said: “I’m a great believer in a blend of experience and fresh thinking.” But he added: “I’ve worked in


a lot of industries, yet I was also very conscious a year ago that I was the new boy. I’ve learned a lot and I’m still learning.”


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