Private equity firm Maven has sold Attraction World, which sells theme park tickets, generating a 1.9x return on investment.
Attraction World is based in the Midlands and sells tickets for over 5000 experiences in over 50 countries, including theme parks, sightseeing tours, theatre shows and experience days. Maven has exited the business via a secondary buyout led by CEO Paul Stobbs.
Maven originally backed the management buyout of the business in 2010 and since then it has increased its turnover to £67 million. In 2016 Attraction World acquired Day Out with the Kids, a website and online community for family attractions and children’s activities.
Andrew Symmonds, Investment Director at Maven, said: “We are pleased with the return that we have generated for our investors from the sale of our stake in Attraction World. The travel industry has faced many challenges in recent years including terrorism and a weak pound, but the management team have worked hard to refocus and restructure the business, whilst maintaining a high level of service to its clients.”
Steve Richards, departing Chair of Attraction World, said: “I would like to thank Maven for their support during my tenure. The partnership has provided a stable platform for the continued growth of the Attraction World business as it looks to capitalise on new opportunities. Their patient and supportive approach afforded the business the time it required to navigate testing market conditions and consolidate its position as one of the UK’s leading theme park and attraction ticket specialists.”
