Audley Travel is a tour operator based in the UK in Witney, Oxfordshire, with offices in London and Boston. The company covers over 90 destinations worldwide, providing tailor-made travel.[2] According to the Financial Times, Audley is the largest operator in this market.[3]
In 2006, the company moved to its current headquarters at New Mill in Witney, Oxfordshire, and tourism executive Ian Simkins joined the company as CEO in 2011.[6]
In 2014, the company opened an office in London and a US office in Boston, Massachusetts after it discovered 20% of its web traffic was coming from the United States.
Audley arranges holidays in more than 90 destinations, covering all seven continents. Top-selling destinations include the USA, Canada, Japan, South Africa, India, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Vietnam and Costa Rica.[4][7]
In 2012, equity firm Equistone Partners Europe invested a majority stake in Audley Travel during a management buyout.[8] Equistone exited its investment in 2015, selling its share of the company to private equity firm 3i.[9]
Awards
Awards won by Audley Travel include:
Guardian and Observer Travel Awards 2006: Best Tour Operator (Mainstream)[10]
The Sunday Times 100 Best Small Companies to Work For 2006-2018[11]
Telegraph Green Travel Awards 2007: Luxury Tour Operator of the Year[12]
Guardian and Observer Travel Awards 2008: Best Tour Operator (Small)[13]
Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Travel Awards: First Place Specialist Tour Operator 2010[14]
Sunday Times Travel Magazine Value For Money Award 2010[15]
In January 2020, Audley was granted Travelife Partner status in recognition of its efforts to improve sustainability and corporate social responsibility.[33] Travelife is the leading international sustainability certification in the travel sector.[34]
The company created the Audley Travel for Good Fund to support several social and environmental charities around the world that align with its responsible travel approach. As of 2022, the company supports seven UN Sustainable Development Goals focused on supporting the communities and ecosystems clients and staff travel to.[36]