A Manchester-based travel group has acquired sports development tour operator Inspiresport.
Portman Travel Group has bought the Welsh firm in a deal it says will further establish its expansion into the sports travel market.
It follows the launches in 2019 of Clarity Sports, which provides team and business travel services for professional clubs across a range of sports, and Sportsbreaks.com, the sports travel experience operator aimed at fans and consumers.
Cardiff-based Inspiresport is a leading sports development tour operator, offering access to clubs, coaches and facilities to take young players of all abilities "on extraordinary sporting journeys".
Pat McDonagh, CEO of Clarity Travel, said: “Inspiresport has been a business that we have admired for a long time and helps us build a very strong portfolio of offerings in this bespoke market.
“We are delighted that Steve and the team at Inspiresport are joining the team here and we look forward to continuing the excellent work they have done over the years by progressing with partners, customers and colleagues and expanding the business moving forward.”
Steve Butchart, current CEO of Inspiresport will join Rob Slawson, director – sports travel at Clarity, in driving the sports part of the business forward.
Mr Butchart added: “The team and I are very excited at the next phase of expansion of Inspiresport under new ownership, which will both further enhance our position as market leaders in the school and club sports tour sector, and accelerate our future development plans by opening up new partners and new sports to add to our current impressive portfolio.
“Inspiresport has grown significantly over the last decade and, whilst the last year has been particularly challenging for the travel industry, to be able to complete this deal is testament to the underlying strength of the business and the hard work of all the team.
“We look forward to working with Rob and the rest of the team to complement the other activities within the business, and to continue to deliver the best-in-class sports development tours which Inspiresport is known for.”
The value of the acquisition has not been disclosed.
