Dubai-based Dnata has acquired a majority stake in Travel Republic, the largest privately owned online travel agency in the UK. The acquisition represents one of Dnata’s biggest business transactions in the company’s 52-year history. The business will continue under the Travel Republic branding.
Travel Republic offers 120,000 hotels, and flights with some 100 airlines to 650 destinations worldwide. The business provides its website in an increasing range of languages and helps over two million customers a year with their holiday plans. The company has recently launched sites in Ireland, Spain and Italy and with further expansion plans across the rest of Europe, Travel Republic is on target to become one of the largest travel companies in the European region.
Travel Republic recorded an increase of over 40% in its annual turnover for 2011 to over £400 million. Dnata said: “We will use the strength of our global travel network to expand on this further by offering a broader range of destinations while maintaining the same price competitive and high-quality customer experience.”
