DRMumbai: TBO Group has announced the acquisition of Island Hopper and Clickitbookit in March 2019. Both targets are leading companies in terms of handling number of passengers visiting the island nations of Mauritius, Maldives and Seychelles, as well as in utilising their bouquet of travel products and services in the Greek Isles. Sandeep Bhasin, who was a pillar in building this business, will be joining the TBO umbrella as Vice President.
TBO, popularly known as Travel Boutique Online, headquartered in India, is a leading B2B online travel distribution company. Founded in 2006, TBO has since expanded its operations to more than 95 countries across the globe clocking $1.4 billion as annual turnover. TBO leverages its proprietary online technology platform to provided airline, hotel inventory, cruise and allied services to its travel partners.
This is the first announcement in a string of opportunities TBO is pursuing now to optimize and monetize its B2B distribution network while building scale and rationalizing cost
Ankush Nijhawan, Co-founder, TBO Group said, “Island Hopper and Clickitbookit have until now enjoyed a ‘Numero Uno’ position in these markets and with this acquisition, TBO will expand its leisure travel product footprint and scope to these island nations, too. This acquisition brings tremendous opportunity and pricing advantage coupled with quality service to our B2B partners and will make TBO an overnight leader in these fast-growing island markets.”
This is the first announcement in a string of similar opportunities TBO is pursuing currently to optimize and monetize its B2B distribution network while building scale and rationalizing cost. Both target organisations will continue to run independently and retain their brand name and URL but benefit from the exposure to TBO’s massive B2B distribution network in India. Post Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai, TBO intends to open up Middle East and European markets as well for Island Hopper and Clickitbookit.
Viraat Bhalla, MD, Island Hopper said, “We had invested years at nurturing relationships, understanding local market dynamics and curating a portfolio of competitive products and offerings in these island markets. We have been singularly focused on providing the customer with a cost-effective and seamless holiday experience. I am glad that under the TBO legacy our brand will continue to flourish.”
Gaurav Bhatnagar, Co-founder, TBO Group added, “Given the technological leverage offered by TBO’s online platform and widely woven web of travel agents and tour operators in the Indian sub-continent and other global markets, we will now provide services in these island destinations to the travel fraternity who earlier may not have had access to Island Hopper. These islands may as well get a fillip and enjoy more substantial inflows from various new source markets.”
