Hornblower Group announced today that it has closed on the acquisition of global shore excursions provider ShoreTrips. Financial details were not disclosed.
ShoreTrips joins Hornblower’s portfolio of land-based experience companies, including Shore Excursions of America and Cruising Excursions, expanding its land-based offerings for guests as well as creating a global shore excursions group of offerings. ShoreTrips will add to Hornblower’s world-class experiences and broaden its total global footprint to 111 countries and territories worldwide.
“In our continued efforts to position Hornblower as a global leader in experiences and transportation, the acquisition of ShoreTrips will allow us to integrate both their products and offerings and build upon our core mission of delivering amazing experiences for our guests,” Kevin Rabbitt, chief executive officer, Hornblower Group, said in a statement.
Milwaukee-based travel advisors Barry and Julie Karp launched ShoreTrips in 2001. Over the last two decades, it has become one of the largest independent providers of commissionable land and sea experiences in the U.S., offering more than 3,000 excursions offerings in 400 port locations.
“We were excited to hear that Hornblower Group acquired ShoreTrips and joins its portfolio of renowned brands, as we share the same values of delivering one-of-a-kind experiences,” said Barry Karp, founder of ShoreTrips. “From the beginning, Julie and I have always aimed to offer our guests an authentic, unforgettable travel experience. We believe this is the best outcome us, for the future of ShoreTrips, for our devoted team of core staff members and for our many loyal travel advisors and their clients. We look forward to being part of this next venture and we are excited to see ShoreTrips thrive with Hornblower Group in 2021 and beyond.”
ShoreTrips joins Hornblower Group’s world-class experiences brands and will support the company’s overall business strategy towards growing its product offerings for its guests, which include water- and land-based experiences, overnight cruises, and ferry and transportation services.
Hornblower Group is a leader in providing water-based experiences with headquarters in San Francisco, Chicago, New York and London. The group’s expansive portfolio reflects almost a century of sector expertise and innovation, establishing a portfolio of distinctive award-winning brands across multiple categories including Hornblower Cruises & Events (dining and sightseeing), American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruises Lines (overnight) and NYC Ferry, HMS Ferries and Seaward Marine Services (transportation).
Hornblower also operates the official ferry service to Alcatraz Island, the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island Memorial Museum for the National Park Service, as well as Hornblower Niagara Cruises for the Niagara Parks Commission.
