ID Travel Group acquires Island Escapes

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Global luxury tour operator ID Travel Group (ID) has acquired Melbourne-based tour operator and experts in Fiji and the South Pacific, Island Escapes. The sale will see the 21-year-old Australian business join the ID Travel Group family from 1 October 2024. ID Travel Group comprises a mix of business units including Island Destinations, ID^x, ID Vayeni AFRICA, CARIBTOURS and Just Grenada Collection.

Collectively, ID offers a hand-picked collection of world-class hotels, resorts and villas throughout Southern Europe, Middle East, Maldives and Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Central America, Mexico, Bermuda, Bahamas, Caribbean, the USA (with Hawaii) and customised safaris throughout Africa.

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Island Escapes, a Virtuoso Preferred Tour Operator, was founded by Marilyn Lynch, Margie-Lee Fong and Angie Devine in October 2003. The boutique wholesaler is a specialist in Fiji, the Cook Islands, Vanuatu and Samoa. In March at Virtuoso AU/NZ Forum in Bangkok, Island Escapes was recognised as the luxury travel network’s regional Top Producer in the Tour category – the highest overall producer of network sales in the touring space.

About the acquisition, Laurie Palumbo, Partner & Chief Operating Officer, ID Travel Group said: “With a shared commitment to providing superior service and product knowledge to the Australian and New Zealand travel industry, we believe this union will bring incredible opportunities to all our clients and industry partners, particularly through enhanced buying power and marketing resources.”

The takeover will allow ID to expand in the South Pacific islands where it currently features a limited portfolio.

LATTE can confirm the Island Escapes’ name, brand and team will remain unchanged. “It will be business as usual at ID and at Island Escapes as we work together behind the scenes to navigate this exciting new partnership,” Palumbo said.

“The ID family looks forward to this new chapter and we are delighted to have such a well-respected brand join our luxury travel group,” she added.

Further details on the acquisition are expected to be shared with the trade in coming weeks.

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