CI TRAVEL HOLDINGS has expanded its business by acquiring the travel company Bontour. The purchase has come about because Patricia Rumens, founder of Bontour, is planning her retirement.
Bontour arranges travel and holidays for more than 10,000 incoming visitors a year as well as for local residents to take holidays in Europe and within the islands.
‘We are really pleased that CI Travel Holdings has become the new owner of Bontour as we know they will invest in the operation and build on the achievements of the existing management and staff,’ said Mrs Rumens.
The purchase adds to CITH’s stable, which includes Channel Islands Travel Service, Airways Holidays, Lewis’s Holidays, Discover Jersey and Guernsey, as well as Travtel.
CI Travel Holdings will continue with the current structure of the business and does not expect to make any redundancies.
Karine David, the current general manager, will continue in her post, leading Bontour on a daily basis.
Peter Drew, managing director of CI Travel Holdings, said Bontour’s European tour business fitted perfectly with the company’s existing brands which concentrate on the UK market.
‘Tour operators have to be sizeable these days in order to make sufficient investment in online technology, which is an essential aspect of any travel business.
‘By providing the computer, ticketing, accounting and book-online systems, we are able to keep our operating costs low, which will benefit both the Bontour brand and the rest of our operation.’
Bontour staff will all join CI Travel Holdings as part of the acquisition. ‘They bring with them a great depth of knowledge about the Channel Islands and European tour industry,’ said Mr Drew.
‘Mrs Rumens will also be advising us over the next year upon matters concerning the Bontour business.’
Article posted on 25th January, 2008 - 12.00am
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