Manawa scales up.
The French platform specializing in booking outdoor activities joins Checkyeti, the Austrian marketplace dedicated to outdoor and nature experiences.
The new entity provides access to more than 27,000 activities offered by more than 8,000 providers across Europe.
The operation marks a new step in the consolidation of the European outdoor activities market.
“”Rather than simply getting bigger, the transaction combines geographic strengths, product portfolios, technologies and established relationships with providers” , the two companies say in their press release.
For Manawa, this operation should notably bring “the size, technology and resources needed” to accelerate its development. “Together, we share the ambition to build the first European platform dedicated to outdoor and nature experiences“, declares Timothée de Roux, its chief executive.
The French platform specializing in booking outdoor activities joins Checkyeti, the Austrian marketplace dedicated to outdoor and nature experiences.
The new entity provides access to more than 27,000 activities offered by more than 8,000 providers across Europe.
The operation marks a new step in the consolidation of the European outdoor activities market.
“”Rather than simply getting bigger, the transaction combines geographic strengths, product portfolios, technologies and established relationships with providers” , the two companies say in their press release.
For Manawa, this operation should notably bring “the size, technology and resources needed” to accelerate its development. “Together, we share the ambition to build the first European platform dedicated to outdoor and nature experiences“, declares Timothée de Roux, its chief executive.
A project launched with the support of the Banque des Territoires
Behind this operation lies a project launched amid the health crisis.
In 2021, Alentour was officially created as part of the tourism recovery plan, with the support of the Banque des Territoires, and in partnership with Amadeus and Dawex.
The aim was then to digitalise the offering of leisure activities in France and to better connect local providers with hoteliers and tourism institutions.
Hotels, campsites, tourism offices and other players can thus offer their clients locally bookable activities online. The platform should also enable small and medium-sized enterprises in the sector to gain visibility and access a new distribution channel.
At launch, Alentour offered more than 2,500 activities bookable in nearly 200 hotels, mainly on the Côte d’Azur.
The project was then to be progressively rolled out in other territories.
In 2021, Alentour was officially created as part of the tourism recovery plan, with the support of the Banque des Territoires, and in partnership with Amadeus and Dawex.
The aim was then to digitalise the offering of leisure activities in France and to better connect local providers with hoteliers and tourism institutions.
Hotels, campsites, tourism offices and other players can thus offer their clients locally bookable activities online. The platform should also enable small and medium-sized enterprises in the sector to gain visibility and access a new distribution channel.
At launch, Alentour offered more than 2,500 activities bookable in nearly 200 hotels, mainly on the Côte d’Azur.
The project was then to be progressively rolled out in other territories.
The shift toward outdoor experiences
The strategy evolves in 2022 with the acquisition of Manawa.com, a platform specialized in outdoor and adventure activities. In 2024, Alentour ultimately adopts the name Manawa and concentrates its development on this market.
Canyoning, paragliding, diving, canoe-kayaking, boat trips, mountain activities or even unusual experiences gradually enrich the catalog.
The company then set ambitious goals. It targets more than 10,000 activities connected by the end of 2024 and a turnover of €100 million by 2027-2028.
Growth is indeed on track. Revenue rises from €10,000 in 2022 to €81,000 in 2023, then to €2.28 million in 2024. Yet accounts remain loss-making. Net income stands at -€9.56 million in 2022, -€4.07 million in 2023 and -€3.79 million in 2024. EBITDA also stays negative in 2024, at -€2.92 million.
The trend clearly improves, but at this stage the company has not yet achieved a profit.
The strong growth of activity continues to be accompanied by, as Manawa pursues its investments and expansion.
Canyoning, paragliding, diving, canoe-kayaking, boat trips, mountain activities or even unusual experiences gradually enrich the catalog.
The company then set ambitious goals. It targets more than 10,000 activities connected by the end of 2024 and a turnover of €100 million by 2027-2028.
Growth is indeed on track. Revenue rises from €10,000 in 2022 to €81,000 in 2023, then to €2.28 million in 2024. Yet accounts remain loss-making. Net income stands at -€9.56 million in 2022, -€4.07 million in 2023 and -€3.79 million in 2024. EBITDA also stays negative in 2024, at -€2.92 million.
The trend clearly improves, but at this stage the company has not yet achieved a profit.
The strong growth of activity continues to be accompanied by
“A new step” for the Bank of Terrritoires
With the Checkyeti deal, Manawa enters a new phase of its development.
Alentour SAS becomes an operating company of the Checkyeti group, while the Manawa brand is retained and continues to be led by its current team.
The Banque des Territoires remains a minority shareholder of the new entity.
For Camille Rives, head of tourism at the Banque des Territoires, this operation constitutes “a new step in the company’s development“. “By remaining a shareholder, we continue to support its long-term growth and the emergence of a leading European platform dedicated to outdoor and nature experiences“, she adds.
The new group now aims to accelerate its investments in digital distribution, artificial intelligence, and automation. The stated objective is to better support the thousands of independent providers in the sector, still largely under-digitized.
Alentour SAS becomes an operating company of the Checkyeti group, while the Manawa brand is retained and continues to be led by its current team.
The Banque des Territoires remains a minority shareholder of the new entity.
For Camille Rives, head of tourism at the Banque des Territoires, this operation constitutes “a new step in the company’s development“. “By remaining a shareholder, we continue to support its long-term growth and the emergence of a leading European platform dedicated to outdoor and nature experiences“, she adds.
The new group now aims to accelerate its investments in digital distribution, artificial intelligence, and automation. The stated objective is to better support the thousands of independent providers in the sector, still largely under-digitized.
Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Editor See all articles by Amelia Brille
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