Our Journey

About ASA: A Journey of Passion, Growth, and Innovation

ASA was founded on the passion and vision of Angela Shanley and has since evolved into the extended ASA family known today. We are proud to remain an independent company, continuously looking forward while staying true to the heritage and values that define us.

Established in 1978: A Legacy of Leadership

Since our beginnings in 1978, ASA has earned a strong reputation as a leading Destination Management Company (DMC) in key international markets. In 2003, we undertook a major restructuring and expansion, resulting in the current leadership of Adonis Farantouris (Chief Executive Officer), Anak McSporran (Chief Operating Officer), and Michael Gebreslassie (Chief Financial Officer).

Global Partnerships and Investment in People

Our growth has been driven by strengthening long-standing partnerships and cultivating new relationships around the world. We have made strategic investments not only in information technology and systems but also in our people. The travel industry is powered by its people, and at ASA, we believe our team defines our identity.

The ASA culture thrives on trust, professional growth, and shared values. We are proud of our dynamic, experienced, and engaged team – the future leaders of the industry. This is what we call #theASAway.

Expanding the ASA Family

In 2016, “TravelTeam@ASA” became part of the ASA family. That same year, we entered a co-ownership and full management of a Paris-based DMC, rebranded as “Flying Europe by ASA”, allowing us to expand our services and deepen relationships with existing partners.

A Scottish Presence and Growing Demand

In 2018, we opened a second UK office in Edinburgh – a long-held aspiration. This new location allowed us to better support the growing interest in travel to Scotland and Northern England. The Edinburgh team quickly flourished, prompting an expansion to a second floor in 2019.

Consolidating and Strengthening Our Brand

In 2021, we fully integrated “Flying Europe by ASA” into the core ASA brand. By bringing the Paris-based operation to the United Kingdom, we created a unified service platform and introduced our partners to France and other destinations through a single managed relationship.

Welcoming Cambria@ASA – A Welsh Travel Experience

In 2022, we expanded again with the addition of specialist Welsh DMC Cambria, under the new brand “Cambria@ASA”. This brought a fully tailored FIT, group, and incentive travel offering focused on Wales and Welsh culture to our partners and clients.

New Offices and Continued Growth

By summer 2023, ASA had outgrown its long-standing London office and relocated to larger premises just across the street, doubling our space to better support our expanding team. That same year, ASA celebrated its 45th anniversary with a record-breaking performance as global travel rebounded.

The momentum continued into 2024, when the respected Travel Agenda brand joined the ASA family as “TravelAgenda@ASA”, bringing a wealth of knowledge and opening new avenues for growth. In November, the Edinburgh office also moved to larger premises on Calton Road, following six successful years on George Street.

Commitment to Sustainability

In February 2025, ASA was officially accredited by Green Tourism, marking a key milestone in our ongoing commitment to sustainable travel practices. This formal recognition supports our journey towards responsible and environmentally conscious tourism.

 

 

 

 

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Why work with ASA?

Complete programme management, tailored to suit you

Working in partnership, sharing our knowledge, to develop business together.

Diverse range of products & experiences

Seasonal tariffs ready to build into bespoke itineraries.

B2B booking portal

Instant confirmations also available via a b2b portal or XML connectivity.

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Award-winning flexible service

At ASA we make full use of our extensive local relationships and direct contracting to offer a full DMC service in its purest sense, leaving our partners in complete control through one simple channel.

The FIT department provides a fast traditional e-mail service from “hotel only” reservations to package itineraries and everything in between. A Tailor-made division specialises in fully customised luxury experiences & extended private touring, working with our local partners every step of the way to plan and deliver unique memorable trips for our guests.

For those that prefer it, our b2b Online FIT Reservation System offers instant confirmations to registered users. XML connections are also available through our Tourplan NX system, supplying a number of international wholesale partners

Our dedicated Groups department is well placed to undertake any project, city based or touring.  Multi-generational family groups, seasonal charter operations or an incentive looking for a unique experience.  We can supply meals or lunch packs catering for all dietary or religious requirements.  The ASA groups team have a proven track record of delivering excellence.

Offer your clients the benefits of a partnership with ASA. Register today.

"We work with ASA since 2010. They were very helpful from the first minute. ASA company is a very reliable, accurate and quick partner. I think we built up a very close personal contact with them through the years. When I was in London and met a few of them, Michaela, Adonis and the boys were very kind to me. It’s a pleasant memory from the last year. I hope we can work together for a very long time."
Gabor Olear
Great Wood Kft.(Hungary)
"We here at HRG Greece consider ASA as one of our most reliable partners, they have always met both our and our clients expectations, providing us with excellent services in an ever changing and extremely difficult industry where the smallest details count! ASA has, among others, serviced us with complex, demanding, last minute requests and they are always willing to assist in a professional and timely manner. Keep up the great work and thank you on behalf of all the HRG Greece meetings, groups & events team in Athens!"
Chryssanthi Pitiropoulou
HRG (Greece)
"Our cooperation has been evolving from year to year each better and the hopes for our partnership in the future are high, hopefully for both parties. We sincerely believe that the HG hotels are the perfect product for our partners and may we work together for many more years."
Doris Holm
Unique Hotels Group - Estonia
"ASA is a key client for Blair Castle bringing us quality enquiries and bookings throughout the season.

They are quick to respond to queries and always contactable should any need arise. We thoroughly enjoy working with the team and hope to do so for many years to come.

"
BLAIR CASTLE
"Millennium Hotels and Resorts have been working with Angela Shanley Associates for more than 15 years. The team is a pleasure to work with and we value the continuous support to the EU portfolio of hotels and look forward to strengthening our partnership year on year."
Hope Jonhston
Millennium & Copthorne Hotels
"We at hotel LA PEROUSE we have enjoyed working with ASA and value our long term partnership with a very professional and experienced team."
Laure Giometti
Hotel La Perouse - Nice, France.
"It’s now a few years that SPVA/SEA VOYAGES has been working with ASA, and the pleasure is still there. The service and quality offered to our groups is always up to a very high standard and the ASA team always aim to fulfil our expectations. Since we’ve been working together, we haven’t received any negative comments and this is very pleasant in our industry. A massive thank you to Bissi and Sabrina for their efficiency and professionalism towards our exigent customers. Carry on like this."
Aurore Conde
SPVA (France)
"It has been an absolute pleasure working in partnership with Anak and the team at ASA for almost 20 years – developing new products, experiences, audiences and markets.

Here’s to our next 20 years and an ever strengthening relationship

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Pietro Cecchini
The Scotch Whisky Experience