Travel Seen, a social-led travel business founded by industry veteran Jen Atkinson, has recently acquired a majority stake in the luxury travel company eShores based in Manchester. This marks the fourth addition to Travel Seen’s growing portfolio of partners, with the goal of increasing eShores’ brand profile, commercial relationships, and overall profits.
The acquisition of eShores, which boasts a £12 million turnover, has significantly increased the group’s total transactional value to approximately £20 million. In an exclusive interview with TTG Luxury, Atkinson expressed her excitement about the partnership and highlighted what drew her to collaborate with the agency based in Rochdale.
Atkinson commended eShores for its impressive growth post-pandemic, attributing it to a combination of experienced employees and loyal customers. She also praised the agency’s communal spirit, emphasizing the close-knit teamwork that sets eShores apart in the competitive travel sector.
Furthermore, Atkinson acknowledged eShores’ expertise in luxury multi-centre holidays and bespoke services as a key factor in the investment decision. She emphasized the potential for developing preferred partner relationships with suppliers, expanding commercial opportunities, and reaching a wider customer base through social media and other channels.
Despite the acquisition, eShores’ co-founders Gavin Lapidus and Nadine Brown will continue to lead the agency, maintaining a significant equity stake to ensure continuity and service excellence for their customers. Lapidus expressed pride in the growth of eShores and sees the investment as a new chapter in the company’s expansion.
Travel Seen’s previous investment in Vedere, a luxury sports travel provider, has already shown promising results, with the company on track to surpass its year one targets. By focusing on referrals and personalized experiences for high net-worth clients, Vedere has established a strong foundation for growth and success.
Overall, Travel Seen’s acquisition of eShores represents a strategic move to enhance its presence in the luxury travel market, capitalize on synergies between the two companies, and deliver exceptional travel experiences to a broader clientele. With a focus on building brand awareness, cultivating partnerships, and fostering innovation, Travel Seen is poised for continued growth and success in the travel industry.
