Belgian media group IPM, owned by the Le Hodey family, has acquired a majority stake in luxury travel organiser World of Travel, reinforcing its ambition to consolidate Europe’s high-end travel sector through its Bscovery division.
Belgian media group IPM has taken a majority stake in Kortrijk-based travel organiser World of Travel via its luxury travel arm, Bscovery. The deal marks another strategic step in IPM’s ambition to build a leading European player in tailor-made and luxury travel experiences.
World of Travel, known for organising bespoke journeys to exclusive destinations like Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls, will retain its operational independence. Founders Hilde and Patrick De Vos remain shareholders and will continue to lead day-to-day operations.
The acquisition adds to Bscovery’s growing portfolio, which includes brands such as Continents Insolites, Preference – Travel Team, Wantotravel, and Atlas Reizen. Combined, these brands generate around €50 million in annual turnover and employ 70 people across Belgium and France.
“This is a next step in our consolidation strategy,” said Alexis le Hodey, head of corporate development at IPM. “We are still looking to acquire other Belgian and European travel companies with the same DNA.”
The move comes shortly after IPM’s high-profile publishing merger with rival Rossel, in which the Le Hodey family took a 10% stake in the newly combined media group, which includes La Libre, Le Soir, and De Tijd publisher Mediafin.
With Bscovery, IPM aims to create a pan-European network of niche travel agencies that preserve their unique identities while benefiting from group synergies.
