Travel M&A recovery finally takes off

For several years, industry observers have been forecasting a recovery in the travel and tourism industry. In 2024, this long-awaited resurgence finally seems to be taking place.

After the initial shock of COVID-19, the sector saw a strong post-pandemic surge in 2021. However, this recovery proved to be short-lived, as travel was hit by shocks such as the war in Ukraine and soaring inflation.

In 2024, however, dealmaking has improved considerably and, perhaps more importantly, the underlying fundamentals of the sector seem to suggest that this is no short-term trend.

In an exclusive insight, we look at how this recovery is taking shape and the factors that are driving it

During the first quarter of 2024, the UK travel sector saw a 60 per cent increase in deal volume compared to the previous quarter. This heightened activity continued during the second quarter, which also brought with it a major increase in disclosed deal value.

Crucial to this recovery has been a resurgence in private equity activity. Travel has long been a highly attractive sector for private equity investors and the strong return of PE buyers to the sector indicates that the M&A recovery is no flash in the pan.

In this month’s exclusive insight, members can read a detailed analysis of the facts and figures behind the recovery, as well as:

How particular sub-sectors are faring: Hotels, luxury, domestic vs international etc. Which are driving stronger dealmaking?

How a backlog of deals dating back to the COVID-19 pandemic is finally beginning to be cleared
How and why private equity firms have returned to the market

An analysis of how the UK’s domestic travel market is faring since the “staycation” boom that followed the pandemic

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