Ben Ross, co-founder of 1000 Mile Travel Group, has today launched Adamaz Travel – an acquisition platform where “entrepreneurs look after entrepreneurs.” Armed with the backing of two of the world’s largest travel companies, Adamaz Travel seeks to solve two of the travel industry’s biggest problems: succession planning and efficiency.
Adamaz Travel will launch officially in the US, Australia, and New Zealand markets next month.
As co-founder of 1000MGT Travel Group, along with his wife Nicola Veltman, Ross is well placed to understand the needs of independent travel business owners. Whilst he never intended to leave 1000MTG, he told Travel Weekly that he could no longer ignore the gap in the market when it came to small and mid-sized travel agencies in terms of both succession and efficiency.
“This opportunity just kept coming to me,” Ross said. “Different people who have seen what I’ve been able to do with 1000MTG kept saying ‘something needs to be done here [in regards to succession planning].”
This gap widened further still when Express Travel Group was bought, he continued.
“There’s a big gap that opened up with them selling the Helloworld,” he said. “I plan to try and fill that gap.”
Ross identified that many small and mid-sized agencies face unique challenges. They may not be large enough for traditional acquisition or receive their desired purchase price, yet they are too established to let their businesses dissolve. Adamaz Travel steps in as a strategic partner, offering a win-win solution.
Adamaz, the Latin word for diamond, will help independent agency owners by a mixture of methods, including:
- Succession Planning: Adamaz Travel offers succession plans that allow agency owners to transition their businesses smoothly while ensuring continuity for their employees and clients.
- Acquisition Opportunities: Adamaz Travel provides fair and competitive acquisition terms, recognizing the value of the agencies’ established brands and customer relationships.
- Strategic Partnerships: Adamaz Travel leverages its backing from two of the largest consortia and travel content providers in the luxury and corporate markets globally, giving its partners access to unparalleled resources and support.
- Buying Group Solution: Going beyond traditional offerings, Adamaz Travel will deliver a unique buying group solution. The unique leverage across air, product, and technology within both the luxury and corporate niches.
“Adamaz Travel is more than just an acquirer; we are a stepping stone for agency owners who are seeking a new chapter in their life and business,” said Ross. “We understand the dedication and care that goes into building a successful travel agency, and we are committed to preserving their legacy while providing growth opportunities.”
Adamaz is not just for those leaving the industry; it is also a way for people to future plan, he said.
“I don’t want to use ‘aging out’ – that’s not the right word,” he said. “They’re looking for a way to clear a path out of travel, but they might not be looking at it right now. They might want to in 3, 5, or 7 years. So what I’m doing is I’m going to give them that buying power”.
Asked if he will miss working with his wife Veltman, Ross said that -whilst the couple work very well as a team – it was also time to expand his horizons.
“We work extremely well together,” he said. “We’ve found our groove and been very successful but this is enabling both of us to do is to pick up both of these roles and run with them,” he said.
Whilst Ross was tight-lipped about the details, Adamaz Travel is far from a solo adventure. “I’ll have another founder coming in with me, which is going to be massive news in Australia, New Zealand,” he teased.
