KE Adventure Travel has today acquired 100% of the share capital of self-guided walking operator Mickledore Travel, from founders Rick and Sonja Cooper. Founded in 2004, Mickledore is the market leader for high quality self-guided walking holidays in the UK, with revenues of £2.68m in 2018. Like KE, the company is based in Keswick in the Lake District and has 12 employees.
Rick and Sonja Cooper will continue to work with the Mickledore team on a consultancy basis, to ensure continued growth and development under the company’s new ownership. They will also work closely with Ashley Toft, KE’s Chief Executive Officer, who will oversee both businesses.
Mickledore becomes the third UK company in two years to join the Voyageurs du Monde group, following the acquisitions of Original Travel in January 2017 and KE Adventure Travel in July 2017. This continues the strategy for the group to grow and develop in the UK and other English speaking markets. The Voyageurs du Monde group had a global turnover of €429m (Euros) in 2017.
Ashley Toft of KE Adventure Travel says, "This is an exciting opportunity for both businesses. Mickledore’s focus on the UK as a destination fills a gap in KE’s product range, and their expertise in operating self-guided holidays comes at a perfect time as KE launches its first range of self-guided walking and cycling holidays in Europe. There are great opportunities to grow both businesses in North America, as well as an obvious opportunity for Mickledore to expand into the French market. I look forward to working with the team at Mickledore to continue the great work they have done to build such a strong business in this fast growing sector.’’
Rick Cooper commented, "We are thrilled to have found such a natural home for Mickledore and its staff. Not only are the offices a 5 minute walk apart, but the whole working culture and ethos of KE and the wider Voyageurs du Monde group, feels very similar to that of Mickledore. We welcome the many opportunities that becoming part of a larger group will give us.’’