Internova Travel Group Takes Full Ownership of In the Know Experiences

July 30, 2021

In the Know Experiences is known for designing travel experiences that are as unique as their clients, and their business complements our overall luxury travel offering within the Global Travel Collection division. We are proud to take full ownership of the firm as we look to continue to build our brand and reinforce our position as one of the world’s preeminent sellers of premium travel.

NEW YORK (July 30, 2021) – Internova Travel Group, one of the largest travel services companies in the world, today announced the completion of a management buyout of luxury travel advisory In the Know Experiences (ITKE). ITKE is already part of Global Travel Collection, the premium travel division of Internova whose community of travel industry agents and agencies serve luxury leisure, VIP corporate, and entertainment travel needs worldwide.

 

“In the Know Experiences is known for designing travel experiences that are as unique as their clients, and their business complements our overall luxury travel offering within the Global Travel Collection division,” said J.D. O’Hara, Chief Executive Officer of Internova Travel Group. “We are proud to take full ownership of the firm as we look to continue to build our brand and reinforce our position as one of the world’s preeminent sellers of premium travel.”

 

As part of the transaction, the travel business of ITKE, comprised of in-house and independent contractor operations of booking travel services to consumer travelers and corporate and entertainment clients, will remain in Global Travel Collection. Karen Magee has been appointed to lead ITKE, reporting directly to Global Travel Collection President Angie Licea.

 

ITKE founders Lia Batkin and Seth Kaplan will retain the agency’s events side of the business under a new name, which will include event production, creating and selling hospitality packages, and entertainment consulting. “There is a large opportunity to take what we have learned over the last fourteen years to create a more integrated 360-degree approach to designing and selling events,” said Kaplan.

 

Launched in 2007, ITKE was created by Batkin and Kaplan after noticing the potential for a travel and lifestyle company that catered to an aspirational demographic who demanded more from their travel experience. Internova (then called Travel Leaders Group) became a majority owner in 2016. The company has since grown to become a leading luxury travel and lifestyle consultancy, offering one-of-a-kind experiences and specialized services around the world.

 

“It has been an incredible experience building ITKE over the last fourteen years into one of the leading boutique luxury travel and lifestyle consultancies,” said Batkin. “We are delighted to extend our partnership with Internova Travel Group as they take full ownership and guide ITKE into its next chapter.”

 

“As a long-time admirer of Lia, Seth and the incredible team at In the Know Experiences, I’m honored to have the opportunity to guide ITKE into the future,” said Magee. “The company’s industry-leading talent, access and expertise make it perfectly poised to continue being the go-to travel agency for luxury clients looking for elevated travel experiences and for advisors looking for a home to support their innovative, growing travel businesses.”

 

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About Internova Travel Group

Internova Travel Group is one of the largest travel services companies in the world with a collection of leading brands delivering high-touch, personal travel expertise to leisure and corporate clients. Internova manages leisure, business and franchise firms through a portfolio of distinctive divisions. Internova represents more than 62,000 travel advisors in over 6,000 company-owned and affiliated locations predominantly in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, with a presence in more than 80 countries.

 

About Global Travel Collection

Global Travel Collection (GTC), a division of Internova Travel Group, is the world’s largest collection of international luxury travel agencies, including the well-established networks of Protravel International, Tzell Travel Group, and Colletts Travel, as well as Andrew Harper, In the Know Experiences, All Star Travel Group and R. Crusoe & Son. GTC advisors and agencies are industry leaders in providing premium travel services to leisure travelers, corporate executives and the entertainment industry. The combined global reach and leverage translates into value, recognition, and preferential treatment for its world travelers.

 

About In the Know Experiences

In the Know Experiences (ITKE), an exclusive travel and lifestyle consulting agency owned by Internova Travel Group, specializes in unforgettable, bespoke experiences around the world. From an amazing vacation, to a corporate event, or the ultimate celebration of your dreams, dedicated lifestyle experts are available around the clock, ready to bring these experiences to life.

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