AC Group anticipates turnover boost of £8m

The AC Group expects to boost its annual turnover by £8m in financial year 2017/18 with the acquisition of MW Tours and Paris-based French Travel Partners (FTP). The strategic moves consolidate and enhance the pole position of The AC Group as a provider of independent travel, incentive group travel and organised tours worldwide. The AC Group now has offices in London and Kent, Paris and New York, and expects to see a group turnover of £25m for FY 2017/2018. Founded in 1999, The AC Group consists of three distinct brands: AC Tours, which specialises in UK accommodation, transfers, entrances and meals for overseas visitors; AC Online, offering tourism product on a business to business basis to internationally-based wholesalers and tour operators; and AC Luxe, a full-service Destination Management Company (DMC) providing tailor made solutions to travellers across the UK, Ireland and France. FTP Tours becomes the fourth brand under The AC Group umbrella, whilst MW Tours merges with AC Luxe. Joint managing director of AC Group, Rob Russell, said: “The diversity of our brands ensures we have a combination of business types that compliment each other and ensure we consistently perform to exceed customers’ expectations. The range, expertise and client trust these acquisitions bring will help ensure we continue to deliver excellent service and exclusive experiences to UK, European and US travellers.” As part of the expansion plans the company has also launched its own office in New York. Malcolm Lindop, joint managing director of AC Group said: ‘The New York office will not only enhance existing inbound business opportunities, it provides the perfect platform to develop new overseas opportunities. The launch of the new office creates a local approach and greater efficiencies to our US outbound clients ensuring AC tours secure the best hotel rates and availability. Lindop said: “MW Tours excels in a niche that is very complimentary to our brand AC Luxe, and the teams’ combined expertise ensures we’ll continue to excel in a highly selective market.”