It’s been a busy few weeks for the team at Manchester-based sports travel group Destination Sport.
Earlier this month it was revealed that Clarity Sports had officially rebranded to Destination Sport Travel. And the company grew even bigger with Destination Sport Experiences acquiring US-based running travel specialists Marathon Tours & Travel.
Destination Sport Group also expanded its partnership with Manchester United FC, with SportsBreaks.com marketing official ticket and hotel packages to fans in the US and Canada. While Inspiresport launched new partnerships with FC Bayern Munich and Lancashire Cricket.
Clarity Sports rebranded as Destination Sport Travel
Elite sports travel provider Clarity Sports announced its rebrand to Destination Sport Travel at the start of July. Destination Sport Travel is the new identity for the group’s team and business travel brand. It remains part of the Portman Travel Group, of which Clarity Travel continues to be a sister brand and a leading UK travel management company.
Destination Sport Travel’s client list includes the likes of Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Rangers and the Football Association of Wales. The organisation also operates in a variety of other sports including rugby union, rugby league, cricket, cycling and netball.
Rob Slawson, managing director of Destination Sport Travel, said: “The rebrand to Destination Sport Travel is an exciting step for the company as we continue to solidify our position as the UK’s leading sports team and business travel provider. This also brings the business in line with the wider Destination Sport Group which comprises four other market leading brands in Amaze Destination Managed, Sportsbreaks.com, inspiresport and Destination Sport Experiences. With the incredible, fast-paced growth of Destination Sport Group globally, the business continues to set the standard in sports travel and offer a truly holistic approach to our partners.”
DSE acquires Marathon Tours & Travel
Destination Sport Experiences, which offers bespoke travel packages for some of the world’s biggest sporting events, has expanded globally with the acquisition of Marathon Tours & Travel (MTT). The US-based firm has 43 years’ experience in the destination marathon travel industry.
With this expansion, the Destination Sport Experiences’ running portfolio will be rebranded as Marathon Tours & Travel and is now set to offer more than 35 additional new and exciting races to its calendar. Events include the Antarctica Marathon and the Patagonia Running Festival Marathon. As part of this development, the combined group offices operating in Manchester, Australia, and Boston will see an expected 50% increase in staff headcount to manage the new portfolio.
Thom Gilligan, founder of Marathon Tours & Travel, said: “It is an exciting time for not only Marathon Tours & Travel, but also the thousands of global clients we service daily through travelling and running, as well through our Seven Continents Club, the only frequent traveller club for endurance event participants. We now have the opportunity to help even more runners and their travel companions accomplish their adventure travel goals, while continuing to offer exceptional experiences at an excellent value.”
Brendan Fox, managing director of Destination Sport Experiences, added: “Marathon Tours & Travel is by far the best travel company in the mass participation marketplace. Thom, Jeff Adams and the fantastic MTT team have built an amazing brand. Our new and exciting partnership will help additional runners, cyclists and triathletes travel to more events across the world, giving them the high-quality service MTT customers have experienced over all these decades.”
Images: Destination Sport Group/Aurélien Vialatte