Luxury travel company Original Travel has announced the acquisition of bespoke desert tour operator Simoon Travel.

The acquisition brings together two market-leading companies, both of whom take pride in the quality of their experience-led travel portfolios and their culture of offering exceptional levels of customer-service.

Simoon Travel began in 2004 as the first UK travel company to specialise in Libya.

Its portfolio of desert and cultural destinations has since grown significantly. 

Bringing the two teams together forms a group of consultants with even deeper knowledge and unparalleled experience in tailor-made travel to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, North America, the Indian sub-continent, the Far East, the Indian Ocean and the Caribbean.

Amelia Stewart, owner and director of Simoon Travel, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to join forces with Original Travel’s dynamic and innovative management team.

“Together we share a passion for undiscovered destinations and I look forward to joining the ‘one-stop-shop’ for adventure and cultural seekers.

“It is interesting times for the Middle East and North Africa.

“With so much doom and gloom surrounding these regions at the moment, it is difficult to see the benefits of currently travelling there. 

“There are however many countries such as Jordan, Egypt, Oman, Tunisia and Lebanon that are very much open for business and are safe, sunny, welcoming and hospitable.”

In its short history Original Travel has made several timely strategic decisions including re-inventing the short break with their ‘Big Short Break’ portfolio, expanding into experience-led long haul and family holidays, raising private equity capital in June 2007, acquiring Tim Best Travel in 2009 and now by choosing what it considers to be the perfect partner to further deepen its knowledge of desert culture particularly in the Middle East and North Africa.