Sunvil has agreed to acquire Discover the World Holidays, with the transaction expected to complete at the end of this month.
The agreement, which was shared with staff from both businesses this morning, will complement and enhance Sunvil’s existing range, strengthening its presence in rail travel, long-haul destinations and the Nordic region.
Staff within the holiday division of Discover the World, including sales, operations, product and marketing teams, are expected to transfer with the business on completion, ensuring continuity of destination expertise, service and relationships.
Discover the World Education, which is run as a separate division, is not part of the transaction and will continue to operate independently, led by Dan Stacey.
Discover the World was founded by Clive Stacey as Arctic Experience in 1983, specialising in trips to Iceland and Greenland and later became one of the first operators to champion the Nordic region as a winter holiday destination beyond skiing and city breaks.
Under the Discover the World banner, the company went on to develop worldwide wildlife experiences, polar journeys, Canada, New Zealand and tailor-made programmes, building a reputation over four decades for pioneering, nature-rich holidays and expert destination knowledge.
Clive will retire from Discover the World Holidays, following completion of the transaction. He said he chose to sell to Sunvil because of ‘shared values, specialist knowledge and a long-term commitment to customers, destination partners and staff’.
He added: “After more than four decades building the holiday business, this is naturally a significant moment for me and for the team. I am proud of what we have achieved together and grateful to every colleague, customer and supplier who has been part of that journey. In Sunvil, I believe we have found a custodian that understands specialist travel, values personal service and will respect the spirit on which the holiday business was built. I leave with confidence in the future and with heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported Discover the World Holidays over the years.”
Sunvil Managing Director Chris Wright said: “Discover the World Holidays is a business we have long admired for its pioneering approach, specialist expertise and loyal customer following. Its destinations and style of travel sit naturally alongside Sunvil’s own carefully crafted programmes, and we see real opportunity to build on Clive’s legacy while bringing added strength to our wider portfolio, particularly with rail travel, long-haul and the Nordic region.
“Our priority on completion of the acquisition is a seamless handover of ownership, for customers, for trade partners and, importantly, for the staff whose knowledge and passion are central to the holiday business.”
Nicky Greenwood, who joined Discover the World three years ago as Deputy Managing Director to lead the holiday business on a day-to-day basis, said: “The holiday business moves to new ownership in good shape. As a leadership team working alongside Clive, we’ve spent recent years investing in our website, brand identity and customer experience, strengthening the platform from which Discover the World Holidays will now move forward under Sunvil’s ownership.”
Sunvil co-founder Noel Josephides said: “Sunvil has always believed in specialist travel, independent thinking and holidays created with care. Discover the World Holidays shares that outlook and, once the agreement is complete, this acquisition brings together two holiday businesses with complementary strengths and a deep respect for destination knowledge. We are delighted to welcome the Discover the World Holidays team and look forward to supporting the next chapter of the holiday business.”
Pictured, from left: Noel Josephides, Nicky Greenwood, Chris Wright and Clive Stacey
