National Geographic Becomes A Tour Operator

National Geographic Expeditions will now design and operate customized luxury tours through its acquisition of Global Adrenaline. 

The acquisition gives National Geographic a platform to develop its own call center and significantly expand its land-based trip offerings.  The price of the deal was not disclosed.

Illinois-based Global Adrenaline is a luxury tour operator, creating custom trips for groups and independent travelers on all seven continents. Global Adrenaline was founded in 2001 by president and CEO Nancy Schumacher. Schumacher’s new title is senior vice president of tour operations for National Geographic Expeditions; her team with move with her to National Geographic Expeditions.

The move highlights Nat Geo’s plans to expand in the travel segment. In April, Nathan Philpot was appointed National Geographic Expeditions’ Europe & Africa director, responsible for launching consumer travel experiences in the region.

The company has existing “strategic alliances” with small ship adventure cruise line Lindblad Expeditions and private jet company TCS World Travel, as well as a partnership with Canadian tour operator G Adventures to operate its National Geographic Journeys land tour brand.