Active Adventures
Small-group guided adventure travel across 32 countries
At a glance
The business
Active Adventures is a multi-brand adventure travel group running small-group guided trips in 32 countries. Founded in Queenstown in 1996, the business now operates alongside Austin Adventures in Montana and Discovery Bicycle Tours in Vermont, with more than 150 itineraries and 150 guides.
Active primarily services travellers who are outbound from North America, over-indexing in older, more affluent guests. Guests are treated to extraordinary experiences in some of the most magnificent locations in the world. On average, trips are of moderate activity intensity, with premium experiences in authentic locations.
Why Fortitude partnered.
The same frame guides every investment: good people, building a good business, in a good market. For Active Adventures, that means:
01 Good people
A professional management team running a multi-brand group, supported by a board with experience in scaling travel businesses.
02 Good business
Active engages direct to consumer, for a superior experience. The business’s breadth and depth of product portfolio makes it a leader in small group, active travel, with a touch of kiwi hospitality.
03 Good markets
Secular growth in global tourism, with adventure travel the fastest-growing sub-segment, particularly among older and more affluent demographics.
How we work together.
Fortitude invested in Active Adventures through its predecessor business at Blue Sky and has held it through the closure of international travel and the recovery since. Fortitude has assisted to make two United States acquisitions and backed a professional management team to build a multi-brand group.
Capital
Assistance with two United States acquisitions, and for trading through the pandemic shutdown of international travel.
Strategy focus
Deal experience and networks to acquire and integrate two United States operators.
People and governance
Appointed a group chief executive across the merged brands and added board capability.
Could this be your next chapter?
If you are a founder weighing up a partner, see what the journey looks like, or start a conversation, in confidence and with no obligation.