Small-group adventure travel specialist G Adventures has closed a growth capital investment from private equity firm Certares to accelerate its growth following the global COVID-19 pandemic.

G Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip, who remains the company’s controlling shareholder, said the investment enables the business to accelerate its pursuit of merger and acquisition opportunities, investments in shared services platform upgrades, and to execute its mission of changing people’s lives through travel.

“Our mission at G Adventures has always been to use travel as a vehicle to change people’s lives,” he said.

“I’m extremely excited that our partners at Certares share our vision and believe in us to identify and realise incredible opportunities for our people, our business and our industry. They truly understand our company and are experts in the travel space.

“I have always said tourism can be the biggest form of wealth distribution the world has ever seen, and this investment means we can do even more to build back travel the right way.”

Greg O’Hara, founder and senior managing director of Certares, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with G Adventures and supporting its growth initiatives.

“G Adventures’ commitment to providing travellers with authentic experiences, and to benefiting the local communities in the places they travel to, has resulted in exceptional customer satisfaction and market-leading growth.”

Certares managing director David Lande added: “G Adventures is a best-in-class company with an impressive management team that has demonstrated innovation in its operating model, and has built a company with an excellent brand.

“It has truly differentiated itself by simultaneously providing travellers with meaningful experiences and through giving back to the destinations visited.”

Baird acted as the exclusive financial advisor to G Adventures in the transaction.

Featured image source: G Adventures