WHY IT RATES: Internova Travel Group, formerly known as Travel Leaders Group, today announced its complete management buyout of luxury travel company 'In the Know Experiences' (ITKE). ITKE has already been integrated as part of Global Travel Collection, Internova's premium travel division, which serves luxury leisure, VIP corporate and entertainment travel needs. - Laurie Baratti, TravelPulse Associate Writer
Internova Travel Group, one of the largest travel services companies in the world, today announced the completion of a management buyout of luxury travel advisory In the Know Experiences (ITKE). ITKE is already part of Global Travel Collection, the premium travel division of Internova whose community of travel industry agents and agencies serve luxury leisure, VIP corporate, and entertainment travel needs worldwide.
"In the Know Experiences is known for designing travel experiences that are as unique as their clients, and their business complements our overall luxury travel offering within the Global Travel Collection division," said J.D. O'Hara, Chief Executive Officer of Internova Travel Group. "We are proud to take full ownership of the firm as we look to continue to build our brand and reinforce our position as one of the world's preeminent sellers of premium travel."
As part of the transaction, the travel business of ITKE, comprised of in-house and independent contractor operations of booking travel services to consumer travelers and corporate and entertainment clients, will remain in Global Travel Collection. Karen Magee has been appointed to lead ITKE, reporting directly to Global Travel Collection President Angie Licea.
ITKE founders Lia Batkin and Seth Kaplan will retain the agency's events side of the business under a new name, which will include event production, creating and selling hospitality packages, and entertainment consulting. "There is a large opportunity to take what we have learned to create a more integrated 360-degree approach to designing and selling events," said Kaplan.
Launched in 2007, ITKE was created by Batkin and Kaplan after noticing the potential for a travel and lifestyle company that catered to an aspirational demographic who demanded more from their travel experience. Internova (then called Travel Leaders Group) became a majority owner in 2016. The company has since grown to become a leading luxury travel and lifestyle consultancy, offering one-of-a-kind experiences and specialized services around the world.
"It has been an incredible experience building ITKE over the last fourteen years into one of the leading boutique luxury travel and lifestyle consultancies," said Batkin. "We are delighted to extend our partnership with Internova Travel Group as they take full ownership and guide ITKE into its next chapter."
"As a long-time admirer of Lia, Seth and the incredible team at In the Know Experiences, I'm honored to have the opportunity to guide ITKE into the future," said Magee. "The company's industry-leading talent, access and expertise make it perfectly poised to continue being the go-to travel company for luxury clients looking for elevated travel experiences and for advisors looking for a home to support their innovative, growing travel businesses."
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