What: Active Adventures and Austin Adventures Combine
Montana-based Austin Adventures and Active Adventures (based in Queenstown, New Zealand), have announced that the two companies are merging. Both operators specialize in off-the-beaten-path, small-group adventure trips delivered with a personal touch, and the acquisition will let more travelers benefit from a broader range of global destinations and experiences.
Why It Matters: Consolidation Can Make Good Business Sense
Each brand brings its own specialties and experiences to form an expanded, unified collection of adventure opportunities across the globe. Now, Austin Adventures’ tours will be available for booking on Active Adventures’ website, while Active Adventures’ unique hiking, biking and kayaking experiences in New Zealand, South America, Europe, the Himalayas and Africa will be available to advisors via the Austin Adventures website.
Consolidation like this among tour operators makes sense in today’s business environment, giving companies a chance to diversify offerings, add new expertise and mitigate risk, all while streamlining back-end services. It also provides advisors with new opportunities while remaining with a trusted brand.
Fast Facts
- The companies expect that the merger will provide for more than 100 new adventure trips available across the globe; more departure dates available throughout the year; and two customer service teams in different time zones.
- Austin Adventures’ tours will be available for booking on Active Adventures’ website, adding adventures in the USA, Canada and Central America for both brands, including specific family departures. Active Adventures’ unique hiking, biking and kayaking experiences in New Zealand, South America, Europe, the Himalayas and Africa will be available via the Austin Adventures’ website.
What They Are Saying
"We were founded in different countries, yet our companies have very similar stories," said Dan Austin, founder of Austin Adventures. "Each business is like a family — now we’ve just created one bigger family.”
Each business is like a family — now we’ve just created one bigger family.
"Travel today is not just about choosing a destination. Now more than ever, it’s about how we travel,” said Wendy van Lieshout, CEO of Active Adventures. “It’s about precious time together — creating lifetime memories, being inspired and connecting with the people and environment around us. It’s about feeling you can trust the company you are on that journey with — that all the little details will be taken care of to create the best experience possible. To expand our offerings to our loyal customers, it was critical we find a like-minded brand to join forces with. Just like us, Austin Adventures was born out of a deep passion for sharing authentic, curated and inspirational adventure experiences with their guests.”
The Details
Active Adventures
Austin Adventures
