The company will join TUI Travel’s Activity Sector – Student Division.
Established in 1992, EAC provides a range of English language courses for students at 35 summer school venues, in addition to year-round centres in Hastings and Edinburgh for students and adults.
It also runs activity camps in the Easter and summer holidays, providing childcare from 8am to 6pm at selected centres in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cobham and Ramsgate.
EAC works with agents in-country to provide a tailor-made solution and offers a range of accommodation options, from rural boarding schools to city centre university campuses, together with sports and evening activities, historical and cultural excursions, all within an English-speaking environment.
Andrew Fisher, EAC managing director, said: ‘We have always been proud of our strong customer relationships, range of courses and tailor-made product approach but combining this with the security and strength of a parent company like TUI Travel plc will ensure we are well-placed to grow the business to meet our customer’s ongoing needs.
‘In addition to ongoing trade with our existing markets we are experiencing noticeable growth from new markets, specifically Russia and Asia, so it is a great time to put our expansion plans into action.’
Ian Finlay, managing director, TUI Travel plc Activity Sector – Student Division, added: ‘The Student Division has always sought to acquire companies that are the best in their field, market leaders delivering excellent customer service.
‘I am delighted to include Andrew Fisher and his management team at EAC within that portfolio.
‘Through EAC we have the opportunity to grow the business in a buoyant English language teaching market in addition to growing the Activity Camps business.’
According to
Language Travel Magazine, English language teaching is a $10.5bn global business. The sector is currently growing at 11% year-on-year, with 30% of students choosing to come to the UK to study.
See also:
Holidaybreak sees education opportunities (17/06/2009)
Go ahead for TUI's Russia JV (15/04/2009)
TUI Travel pushes schools programme (09/03/2009)
TUI Travel makes STAG appointment (23/09/2008)
New website for TUI’s Travelbound (30/06/2008)