Tours and activities just got that little bit more interesting with news that European tour operating giant TUI Travel has bought tours and activities provider Isango.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The acquisition sees the vertically integrated tour operator increase its focus on tours and activities following its recent partnership signed with GetYourGuide.
But whereas the GetYourGuide agreement put tours and activities into the retail travel agent workspace only in Germany, Isango will continue to be a fully-functioning and consumer-facing web service for consumers.
Isango will now be part of the tour operator’s Accommodation and Destinations division and operate under the TUI brand across Europe.
Product from the Isango portfolio will also be integrated into the existing TUI web properties, such as Thomson in the UK.
TUI’s existing A&D business was responsible for handling 12 million customers in resort during 2012, covering transfers, tours and airport “meet and greet” services.
Taking on Isango, which launched in 2007 and has nestled alongside the likes of fellow online agency Viator, will give consumers access to tours, sightseeing products, attractions and other activities from more than 60 countries.
The current management team at Isango, including CEO and co-founder Ranjan Singh, will continue with the business.
Earlier this week, GetYourGuide said it hoped its new partnership might be extended to other parts of the TUI empire, including online – but it is unclear how this may now happen given that the two rival services often have similar product lines in some cities.
TUI Travel managing director A&D (B2B), Carlos Munoz, says:
“Innovation and new technologies are at the core of our business. isango fits well into our strategy, and brings complementary products, as well as innovative technologies.”
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About Kevin May
Purchase at the same time as partnering with get your guide! I wonder if get your guide will be the next purchase?
I also wonder if you will start to see TUI owned adventure and activity companies tours being given prime placements on these?
Peter
That’s a pretty positive move for the sector. Hopefully it wasn’t a fire sale. Still trying to make sense of why they would partner with Getyourguide if this was in the offing considering the conflicting product line. Nevertheless, things are happening. The spotlight can’t be too bad, eh?
Congrats to Ranjan and the team!
Congrats Ranjan, hope to see you at ITB…
@Johannes, I hope you’ll also benefit in one way or another, not sure how at this point, maybe you’ll tell me more