Adventure operator, G Adventures, has been recapitalised, securing an investment from US-based travel investor, Certares, which will extend the operator’s runway and position it for future growth.
Founder of G Adventures, Bruce Poon Tip, will remain the controlling shareholder of the business but says that the investment will enable G Adventures to accelerate its pursuit of merger and acquisition opportunities and invest in shared services platform upgrades.
“Our mission at G Adventures has always been to use travel as a vehicle to change people’s lives. I’m extremely excited that our partners at Certares share our vision and believe in us to identify and realise incredible opportunities for our people, our business, and our industry - they truly understand our company and are experts in the travel space. I have always said tourism can be the biggest form of wealth distribution the world has ever seen, and this investment means we can do even more to build back travel the right way,” says Bruce.
Joint md of Certares, David Lande, said G Adventures was a best-in-class company with an impressive management team that had demonstrated innovation it its operating model and has built a company with an excellent brand. He added that G Adventures had been of interest to Certares as it had truly differentiated itself by simultaneously providing travellers with meaningful experiences and giving back to the destinations visited.
Development Promotion’s md, Jackie Adami, which represents G Adventures in South Africa, reported that there had been a good increase in local quotes and bookings for travel during Q4 2021 and in 2022.
“Our top interest trips are for our Dhoni cruise in the Maldives, Kilimanjaro and Gorilla Trekking. On the domestic side G Adventures also has some great trips which include Cape and Namibia, Kruger in Depth and Cape & Dunes Discoverer to name a few. The groups are small, and incorporate flexibility, freedom and fun. G Adventures has a book and travel with confidence policy, with measures in place to help keep you safe,” said Jackie.
