The Accomando family, owners of DH Enterprise and Associates, Inc., has agreed to sell deluxe tour company Sceptre to Marc Kavanagh, CEO and owner of Journeys Connect. Sceptre designs and plans custom travel experiences in Europe ranging from independent adventures to signature boutique escorted tours. Journeys Connect is a B2B (only) groups specialty tour operator to Europe.
DH Enterprise has a long-standing relationship with Kavanagh and Journeys Connect, which it manages. The decision to sell Sceptre, DH Enterprise’s longest legacy brand, follows the company’s new focus on technology and bundled packaging.
“Selling Sceptre to Marc (Kavanagh) is like selling to a family member,” says Chris Accomando, President of Sceptre. “With a long friendship and business relationship, Marc shares the same core values (Respect, Integrity, Compassion and Humility) that we at Sceptre hold very dear. We were very selective about whom we would sell the company to and we feel Marc is the only person to carry Sceptre’s legacy forward.”
Accomando will remain with the new organization in a senior role to help with the transition and to help move the company forward towards success. Kavanagh is an industry veteran of 28 years. He has been impressed with Sceptre’s recent re-branding and its focus on expertly crafted air inclusive vacations.
“I am excited to lead and implement the company’s plan for growth through strategic trade partnerships, further solidifying existing and potential relationships with travel agents and consortia,” says Kavanagh. “I am a firm believer in the B2B travel agent distribution system. Travel agents will be Sceptre’s life blood.”
He adds that Sceptre will develop and deliver technology for its trade partners, including a travel agent portal and dynamic packaging on SceptreVacations.com. The company will focus on new product development, working closely with travel agents to develop and grow its golf, chauffer, and group business to its destinations in Europe. All product contracting and technology will continue to be provided by Global Consolidated Services (GCS), of which DH Enterprise is the parent company.
Journeys Connect, 855-220-6450, www.journeysconnect.com