H.I.G. Capital (H.I.G.), an alternative investment firm, says that one of its affiliates has completed the acquisition of Shore Excursions Group, a leader of onshore tours and excursions for cruise passengers. With $71 billion of capital under management, H.I.G. typically operates in the business services; chemicals; consumer/retail; healthcare; industrials; and technology, media and telecom sectors.

Founded in 2008 and headquartered outside of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Shore Excursions Group is the world’s largest independent shore excursions provider, having delivered more than 5 million tours across hundreds of ports globally. The Group partners with vetted local operators to offer a portfolio of over 4,000 bespoke, small-group experiences spanning all major cruise destinations.

Shore Excursions reaches cruisers globally through thousands of travel agency partners as well as direct-to-consumer channels. As demand for more authentic, personalized travel continues to rise, H.I.G. says Shore Excursions Group enables cruisers to access high-quality, competitively priced alternatives to traditional cruise line excursions.

Speaking on the acquisition, Paul Kiritsy, CEO of Shore Excursions Group, said, “We have built a trusted network of local partners, a broad portfolio of curated excursions, and a technology platform that enables us to deliver exceptional value to travelers and travel advisors alike. With H.I.G.’s support and expertise in scaling consumer and technology-enabled services businesses, we are well-positioned to enhance and expand our offerings and deepen our relationships across the travel ecosystem. We are excited for this next chapter of growth.”

Tyler Levin, managing director at H.I.G., added: “Shore Excursions Group is a clear market leader with a compelling value proposition for travelers, travel advisors and operator partners. We look forward to partnering with Paul and the entire Shore Excursions Group team to accelerate growth, invest in technology and product innovation, and continue delivering exceptional service to the company’s global customer base.”