Inside Travel Group, parent company of InsideJapan and InsideAsia, aims to build on post-pandemic growth with a combined £20 million (around AUD$39 million) investment from B Corp and specialist consumer brand investor Piper and Cool Japan Fund, Japan’s sovereign wealth fund.
The specialist tour operator and certified B Corp will use the funding to expand its destination and community-based tourism portfolio and increase sustainability across the business to benefit travel trade partners, travellers and local communities.
Inside Travel Group Co-Founder Alastair Donnelly said since Japan reopened in mid-2022 and an initial investment from Blandford Capital LLP, the company has seen incredible growth.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Piper with their deep brand expertise and Japanese sovereign wealth fund Cool Japan for this exciting next phase of growth,” he said.
“Bringing on board investors who share our values and commitment to ‘travel as a force for good’ will benefit our customers, suppliers and the local communities we work with across our destinations.
“Working together with our new partners, we will be expanding our destination offering in Asia as well as increasing our commitment to community-based tourism across our portfolio and striving to continue improving the overall sustainability of our business.
“Most important of all, we will continue to provide an incredible service and amazing experiences for our customers, both direct and our trade partners. We are eager to work together to achieve even greater success into the future,” he said.
Capitalising on significant growth
Donnelly added that 2024 has been Inside Travel Group’s most successful year yet with departure revenue reaching £65 million (around AUD$126.5 million) – 33 per cent higher than 2023.
InsideJapan continues to pioneer community-based tourism experiences, while the InsideAsia brand has added new destinations, including South Korea and Thailand, to deliver a three-fold revenue increase.
Piper Partner Dan Stern said: “We’re looking forward to backing the Inside Travel Group team as they embark on this next stage of growth.”
Cool Japan Fund Executive Officer & Managing Director Masaki Takayanagi added: “We are excited to partner with Inside Travel Group, supporting their mission to share Japanese culture globally through immersive travel experiences.”
Find out more at insidetravelgroup.com
