Salford-based sports tours firm, Sports Tours International, has completed its latest acquisition, following the takeover of a north London company, for an undisclosed sum.
Golf Holidays Direct is based in Stevenage and says it is the UK’s fastest growing golf travel operator.
By joining forces, Sports Tours International aims to propel Golf Holidays Direct into a market-leading position and, in doing so, create the UK’s largest sports travel group.
Sports Tours International is a market leader in running and cycling travel, posting record results for the past two years.
Similarly, Golf Holidays Direct, established in 2017, has experienced explosive growth since the pandemic and is Europe’s third largest golf travel operator.
Sports Tours International’s chief executive, Tim Przybysz, said: “I couldn’t be prouder to partner with the team at Golf Holidays Direct. They are a natural fit, possessing an entrepreneurial spirit and passion for their sport that mirrors our own.
“Both companies share common values of excellence, delivering first class customer experience, and innovation.”
The Golf Holidays Direct brand will remain unchanged and continue to operate out of its headquarters in Stevenage, led by founder, Lewis Remington, as managing director.
He said: “Joining the Sports Tours family represents a landmark moment for Golf Holidays Direct as we seek to redefine the golf travel industry.
“This acquisition will enable the combined team to leverage each other’s strengths and unlock further growth opportunities.”
The Midlands corporate finance team from Daresbury-based Dow Schofield Watts, led by Ryan Shields and Fahim Kassam, worked closely with the shareholders and lawyers from Howes Percival, led by Tom Redman, to advise Golf Holidays Direct on the sale to Sports Tours International.
Sports Tours International was advised by a legal team from Gateleys, led by Charles Glaskie.
Ryan Shields said: “We worked closely with the shareholders to prepare the business for sale and ran a full sale process with UK and International parties. Sports Tours International were the stand-out strategic partner, delivering a strong outcome for the shareholders with an innovative structure and commercial approach throughout.”
More than 50,000 golfers a year trust Golf Holidays Direct to deliver dream trips to many of the world’s best courses and resorts, and bucket-list events including The Masters and Ryder Cup.
Sports Tours International, founded in 1973, is fully owned by Betfred Chairman, Fred Done. The business has posted record results for consecutive years and more than doubled in size since 2021.
Its profit is projected to increase by 63% in 2024/25, with similar growth forecast next year following its expansion into North America in 2024.
The travel agency is the Official Overseas Tour Operator for the TCS London Marathon and Europe’s only Official Premium Tour Operator for the Tour de France.
Sports Tours International is also the exclusive UK partner to Club La Santa in Lanzarote, which claims to be Europe’s no.1 sports resort.
In December 2018, Sports Tours International, acquired Cheshire-based Race Force, for an undisclosed sum, just months after its acquisition of Dublin based Sports Travel International in a £1m deal.