Singapore PE Wilson & Hughes buys travel firm Cox & Kings

Singapore-based private equity (PE) firm Wilson & Hughes has acquired Cox & Kings, marking the travel firm’s revival five years after it ceased operations.

Wilson & Hughes acquired the travel brand in June through the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) process, the travel company said in a statement.

The acquisition does not have prior liabilities, and will focus on leisure travel, business travel, specialized travel, and travel technology, the company said, adding that it does not have affiliation with the prior management.

Wilson & Hughes has acquired the brand and its portfolio of more than 200 sub-brands through its Indian subsidiary.

The sub-brands acquired include Duniya Dekho, Bharat Dekho, Luxury Escapades, Bhakti Yatra, and Holiday 365, among others.

Karan Agarwal, director at Wilson & Hughes, said, “Our goal is to merge the best of tradition with forward-thinking technology. We’re shaping a seamless, personalized journey that anticipates the needs of today’s travelers.”

With Cox & Kings’ acquisition, Wilson & Hughes has stepped into the travel industry. The company has previously invested in finance, building materials and packaged consumer goods firms.

The acquisition has come amid a churn in the global travel industry, with India’s travel market alone projected to reach $125 billion by 2027.