2012 EPT Madrid Runner-Up Fraser MacIntyre Acquires Main Event Travel
2012 European Poker Tour (EPT) Madrid runner-up Fraser MacIntyre has acquired poker travel and accommodation service company Main Event Travel for an undisclosed fee.
According to Matthew Pitt, who first broke this story on UK & Ireland PokerNews, negotiations had gone on for weeks before the two sides finally agreed on a purchase agreement.
MacIntyre is understandably excited by his recent acquisition, believing it combines strengthening his portfolio of leisure industry interests along with his passion of poker.
"The purchase of Main Event Travel is not only a great fit to my portfolio of leisure industry interests, but also a superb fit for my other passion of poker. The company is exceptionally well positioned in the market with a great team who are ready to drive the business to the next level. We have already commenced discussions with current and prospective partners regarding broadening our proposition."
While 2012 was the year McIntyre made a name for himself in the poker world, it was also the year Main Event Travel was launched.
MainEventTravel.com quickly became the go-to site for UK poker players searching for travel, hospitality and ancillary service packages. The company's reputation and exposure expanded in 2013 when it became the official travel partner of the Genting Poker Series, Dusk Till Dawn, and the Grosvenor UK Poker Tour (GUKPT).
The company further invested in deeper exposure in the UK poker marketplace in 2014 when it became the official travel partner of the PokerStars UKIPT.
Outgoing Main Event travel co-founder Warren Kwei is proud of what the company achieved in just three years.
"Establishing a digital travel business in a growing sector was an opportunity we grasped with both hands. It’s been a fantastic three-year journey and I’ve been thrilled to watch the team, and the business develop in parallel. Our strategy was built on a plan to create a unique and succinct digital experience for the customer, and to develop robust, ease-of-use partner propositions. I’m pleased to say we’ve executed against this."
Kwei also believes that the company is in a good position to expand.
"In reaching the decision to sell the company, I was keen to identify an individual or entity that had the time to allocate to the operation which would enable it to build upon the sound performance and infrastructure we’ve developed to date. With over 1.4m average unique visitors per quarter and multiple B2B relationships, the business is now firmly set for the new owner to take the business forward."
Co-founder Dale Garrad remains as the company's Operations Director, which is music to the ears of another of the company’s co-founders, Tom Reynolds.
"I believe the transition team remaining on board are well placed to migrate to the new owners in succinct fashion. We had a number of interested parties, but the outgoing Board felt that Mr. MacIntyre was well-placed to continue to expand the business. I’m also pleased that our fellow founder Mr. Dale Garrad will continue within the business which will assist with the transition. We will take pride in, and look forward to, seeing the company prosper under its new ownership."
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