Northstar Travel Media is in a mood for shopping -- and not just for media and events companies.
The business-to-business information company says today it has taken a majority interest in Inntopia, which sells a reservation online booking software platform to ski resorts and mountain destinations.
It seems intent on monetizing its media assets. In a statement, Thomas Kemp, the CEO of Northstar Travel Media, said:
“We believe that we will create significant marketing synergies between Inntopia and our recently acquired Mountain Travel Symposium, the leading conference serving the mountain destination industry."
A statement did not disclose financial details, but says that other investors include Aspen Skiing Company and Intrawest Resorts Holdings.
Inntopia’s founder and CEO, Trevor Crist is maintaining a stake and his position.
Founded in 2011, Inntopia has a Global Distribution System-style platform that processes hundreds of thousands of activity, event, ground shuttle and equipment rental reservations.
Activity providers manage content, rates and availability through an extranet, or by direct connections into their back office system.
Headquartered in Stowe, Vermont, Inntopia has a distribution network that is made up of local and regional DMOs, as well as international tour operators.
In April, Northstar acquired Web In Travel (WIT), best known for an event series on online travel developments in Asia-Pacific.
In 2011, it purchased Philip Wolf's research and events business PhoCusWright. It has long owned travel trade information brands like Travel Weekly.
NB: Image via Inntopia's Facebook page.