The next six months, at least, are likely to bring more of the same for travel businesses in the UK and beyond. Although operators and the public may have pinned their hopes on the return of international travel this year, it now seems likely that a resurgence will take longer to fully appear. However, when international travel is once again safe and acceptable for tourism and business alike, there’s confidence that demand will surge.
It’s no surprise, then, that travel businesses with money to spend and private equity firms are willing to bet millions or even billions on acquiring smaller struggling operators. At a time when organic growth is all but impossible to achieve, M&A is a route to growth for travel firms with deep pockets. And now that the impact of COVID-19 is clearer than ever, there are plenty of deals to be done.
Smaller operators falling like dominoes
Some independent travel operators and smaller firms in the industry have reported that things are still looking very bleak as we move further into 2021. Indeed, travel operators such as Tucan Travel, STA Travel, VIP SKI and National Holidays have collapsed as a result of the pressures emerging from customers wanting refunds for trips they have booked but are not able to take.
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