Vitruvian Partners has acquired Great Rail Journeys, a renowned UK-based provider of escorted tours, in a buyout deal from private equity firm Duke Street. While the financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed, the acquisition marks a significant step in Vitruvian’s expansion into the travel sector.
Founded in 1973 and headquartered in York, Great Rail Journeys is a well-established leader in the escorted tours market, offering over 400 itineraries across 40 countries. Specializing in multimodal travel experiences—including rail journeys, river cruises, and land tours—the company predominantly caters to travelers aged 55 and over, a demographic that values comfort and cultural exploration.
Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Dave Riley, Great Rail Journeys has seen impressive growth, particularly in the US market, where it has tripled its business. The company also expanded its offerings beyond rail travel to include European river cruises and land touring. Despite this rapid growth, the company’s focus remains on delivering unique travel experiences for its customers, combining rail, water, and land-based adventures.
In reflecting on the company’s growth under Duke Street’s ownership since 2018, Riley emphasized the strides made in enhancing the company’s technology platform, boosting its digital capabilities, and becoming a market leader in escorted travel. “The business has transformed in that time, becoming the leading multi-source travel business in our sector,” said Riley. “We’ve tripled the size of our US business, achieved market-leading growth in the UK, and expanded beyond rail with our European river cruises and land touring programme.”
Looking toward the future, Riley expressed enthusiasm about the next chapter for Great Rail Journeys. With the backing of Vitruvian Partners, he aims to drive further growth in the UK, US, and other international markets.
Vitruvian Partners, known for its strategic investments in the travel technology sector, has a proven track record with notable investments in companies such as Klook, Civitatis, Travel Counsellors, Sykes Cottages, Skyscanner, and JacTravel. Ben Johnson, Partner at Vitruvian, expressed his excitement about the potential for Great Rail Journeys, stating, “We see Great Rail Journeys as a business with multiple growth avenues and an attractive demographic. We’re excited to support the company’s ambition to become a global leader in escorted travel, especially for those at a stage in life where they have time to enjoy unique rail and river-based experiences.”
With the backing of Vitruvian, Great Rail Journeys is poised to further cement its position as a leader in the global escorted travel market, offering unparalleled experiences to those looking to explore the world in comfort and style.
