Northstar To Join JTB Corp In Strategic Acquisition Deal

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 (Bernama) -- Northstar Travel Group (Northstar), a powerhouse in business-to-business (B2B) travel industry events, media, and information services, is set to be acquired by JTB Corp, one of Japan’s leading travel solutions providers.

Under the agreement, Northstar will become a wholly owned, independent subsidiary following the completion of the transaction, which remains subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close in September 2025.

According to a statement, Northstar will continue to be led by its current management team, including Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jason Young. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The company operates well-known B2B travel brands such as Travel Weekly, Business Travel News, ALIS, The Meetings Show and Phocuswright, reaching a global audience of more than one million professional travel buyers and connecting them with more than 1,500 global suppliers.

Young said the partnership with JTB would allow Northstar to accelerate its expansion in the Asia Pacific region while strengthening its mission to deliver value to industry stakeholders.

Meanwhile, JTB President and CEO, Eijiro Yamakita said Northstar brings exceptional expertise and global reach.

“By operating Northstar as an independent subsidiary, we preserve their neutral market position while creating a platform for delivering superior customer experiences,” said Yamakita.

For JTB, the acquisition supports its long-term strategy to diversify beyond traditional travel services into high-value events, market intelligence, and media, aligning with shifting industry dynamics and customer needs.

The deal caps a successful chapter under EagleTree Capital, whose partners praised Northstar’s transformation and leadership.

BrightTower served as financial advisor and Jones Day as legal counsel to Northstar, while SMBC Nikko acted as financial advisor and Venable LLP and Mori Hamada & Matsumoto as legal counsel to JTB.

-- BERNAMA