G Adventures, a leader in small-group adventure tours, has successfully acquired growth capital from Certares, a prominent private equity firm.
Certares, with its strategic focus, has identified G Adventures as an ideal partner to leverage post-pandemic travel trends, potentially driving significant industry advancements.
Certares, based in New York, is well-positioned with substantial funds to invest in companies pivotal to post-Covid travel recovery. G Adventures aligns perfectly with Certares’ vision, focusing on transformative tourism experiences.
Certares’ recent investment in G Adventures marks a strategic move, aligning with its investment in Getaway, a company specializing in secluded cabin rentals that cater to the digital detox trend.
Founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, G Adventures has championed community tourism and experiential travel for over three decades. This dedication has made it an attractive candidate for investment by Certares.
G Adventures previously garnered investment from Fulcrum Capital Partners in 2010, demonstrating its longstanding appeal to forward-thinking investors seeking to influence the travel sector.
The onset of the pandemic posed significant challenges for tour operators like G Adventures, as global travel largely came to a halt. This led to a surge in customer demands for refunds.
In response to these challenges, G Adventures has remained resilient, focusing on innovative travel solutions to adapt to the changing landscape. The investment by Certares provides a timely boost for these initiatives.
The pandemic underscored the importance of adaptable business models for tour operators, showcasing the need for strategic partnerships like that with Certares.
G Adventures plans to utilise the investment to accelerate its merger and acquisition ambitions while upgrading shared services platforms. This aligns with its mission of transforming lives through travel.
With Certares on board, G Adventures is well-positioned to explore new markets and enhance its service offerings, remaining a competitive force in the evolving travel industry.
Certares’ investment in G Adventures complements its broader portfolio which includes stakes in American Express Global Business Travel and Internova Travel Group, among others.
Such strategic investments demonstrate Certares’ commitment to shaping the future of travel and transportation, making it a significant player in the industry.
G Adventures’ focus on young, adventurous travellers fits seamlessly with Certares’ investment strategy, targeting companies with potential for growth in the modern travel ecosystem.
Baird served as the exclusive financial advisor for G Adventures in securing the Certares investment, highlighting the importance of expert guidance in such transactions.
Financial advisory firms play a crucial role in facilitating strategic investments, ensuring alignment between investors and the companies they choose to support.
The injection of growth capital is expected to enable G Adventures to revitalise its operations and explore new strategic directions, enhancing its market position and service offerings.
The investment by Certares in G Adventures is a significant milestone, poised to catalyse growth and innovation within the adventure travel sector.
This partnership promises to enhance G Adventures’ ability to offer transformative travel experiences, aligning with future industry trends.