Relocatable
Asking price: £690,000
Asking price includes:
Turnover of c£2,200,000 per annum
Adjusted EBITDA £160,000 (after vendor replacement costs)
Fully relocatable
25 years of successful trading
International customer base
Brand has an outstanding reputation
Excellent supplier relationships
Goodwill
Business Profile:
This fully regulated business was set up by the vendors in 1998, focussed on charter trains and large group rail travel, largely B2B..
In 2012, it launched another service as an independent online travel agency, with ABTA membership. The agency provides a comprehensive travel service for mostly B2C clients wanting luxurious train trips.
The business now caters for luxury train holidays and rail cruises (not regular scheduled train services) world-wide and provides passenger trains and private carriages (rail cars) for charter / hire. There is also a rail / train service for film / TV locations.
The business has gone on to build a sterling reputation within its niche area during this time and provides advice, booking and research services to its international client base.
May 2023 – the agency has a permission-based global database of more than 62,200 English-speaking, Spanish-speaking and French-speaking clients.
Furthermore, there is an excellent relationship with its luxury train company suppliers. The business has a high profile at both management and front-line levels.
The company’s debt-free, asset-light, cash-positive model has proven flexibility to react to challenges.
Highlights of the successful agency include:
• Monthly profitable newsletters
• Comprehensive website, with the best content in the luxury rain niche
• ABTA registered
The vendors work in the business alongside a part-time pre- and post-sales admin executive. There is an excellent opportunity to increase sales through additional staff and marketing.
The business enjoys excellent Google rankings and is on the first page of Google for most key words.
Equipment:
The business has the necessary office equipment for an online travel agency. All equipment is included within the sales price.
Customer Service:
The business offers an unparalleled standard of service and is proud of their attention to client care. All communication is by email.
Key Strengths:
The business has many strengths including:
• Enviable Google visibility for luxury train holidays and private group rail travel.
• Large permission-based database
• Exceptional levels of service
• Excellent supplier relationships
• Well visited website (Google analytics available)
• Highly profitable
• Easily Relocatable
Growth and Expansion:
The business has enjoyed steady trading over its lifetime, and this is expected to continue in light of its growing customer base.
In addition, the Company publishes a monthly newsletter to its membership base which could easily be increased in terms of frequency and reach (Full analytics available).
The business is well positioned to take maximum advantage of this growth as it occurs since it has the necessary infrastructure in place.
The business already has over £2.2 million worth of forward bookings for next year.
Employees:
The vendors work within the business on a day-to-day basis and employ one part-time consultant. Unless the company is being absorbed into the buyer’s existing business, the vendors would need to be replaced by a General Manager (£40k), a part-time bookkeeper (£8k) and a part-time travel consultant (£15k).
Advertising and Marketing:
The Company has a comprehensive and informative website detailing the services and packages offered which ranks well on Google.
Sales are driven by SEO positioning, client referral, and a monthly newsletter.
Currently, to manage sales demand against resources, there is only a monthly newsletter.
Additional marketing, such as a bi-monthly newsletter, would significantly increase enquiries and bookings.
Targeted social media marketing would raise awareness of the brand.
The business does not spend on Google AdWords, preferring to build organically through quality online content, recognised by Google.
Premises:
The business is in privately-owned premises and will need to be relocated.
Business Hours:
Monday – Friday: 09:00-17:30
Online: 24/7
Financial Information:
The business is being offered for sale on a going concern basis, all financial discussions will take place directly between the vendor and all interested parties under the auspices of Turner Butler.
Turnover in excess of £2.2 million per annum
Adjusted EBITDA of £160,000 after deducting £63k of replacement costs for the vendors
Reason for Sale:
The vendors are moving into another business area.
Support and Training:
The current owners will provide training and support at handover.
Asking Price:
The Asking Price of £690,000 is for 100% of the issued capital of the company, assuming Net Assets of circa £TBC on completion (calculated on a zero cash-zero debt basis). The final selling price will have a £1 for £1 adjustment for any rise or fall in this benchmark Net Asset figure of £TBC at completion.
