A&K Travel Group operates across four major brands, Abercrombie & Kent, Crystal, Cox & Kings and Ecoventura, and has around 4,000 people in more than 65 offices across 40 countries, also running its own destination management network in over 100 countries. The group tasked Colt with building out its global connectivity network, which includes Arqit’s quantum-safe encryption, to provide agile, quantum-safe security solutions that operate without distance limitations, across any location worldwide. Fabio Agostini, Chief Information Officer, A&K Travel Group, discusses how the partnership is focused on delivering a unified, high-performance, secure global network that supports both operational efficiency and customer experience.
Colt Technology Services, a global digital infrastructure company, has been selected to deliver a global network for A&K Travel Group (AKTG) and its portfolio of premier travel brands, including Abercrombie & Kent, Crystal and Cox & Kings. AKTG’s brands provide travel adventures in more than 100 countries around the world and rely on a secure global network to keep customers, employees and travel partners connected. The group tasked Colt with building out its global connectivity network, which includes Arqit’s quantum-safe encryption, to provide agile, quantum-safe security solutions that operate without distance limitations, across any location worldwide. This foundation provides AKTG with a resilient, interconnected network architecture on which it can run its business.
Part of the project will see Colt team up with Arqit, a quantum-safe encryption technology company, with a quantum-secure Wide Area Network, to help protect AKTG from the future risk presented by quantum computers, including the threat presented by ‘harvest now, decrypt later’.
AKTG will rely on the powerful infrastructure from Colt to help redefine the way audiences interact with its brands, supporting its commitment to providing seamless, immersive digital experiences with easier access to travel information, improved inspiration and content discovery and new digital tools for creating tailor-made journeys. Colt’s network will underpin fast, secure, low-latency connectivity for AKTG, ensuring exceptional service in locations ranging from remote landscapes to major cities.
Fabio Agostini, Chief Information Officer, A&K Travel Group, said: “A&K Travel Group operates some of the most remote and operationally complex travel experiences in the world, from expedition ships and river vessels to safari camps and global offices. Delivering those experiences requires secure, resilient connectivity that performs consistently across continents and environments. As our digital ecosystem continues to evolve, protecting our data, our communications and ultimately our guests is a strategic priority. Colt’s global infrastructure provides the robust network foundation we need, and through its integration with Arqit’s quantum-safe encryption technology, we are proactively strengthening our security posture against future threats. This is not simply a network upgrade. It is an investment in future-ready infrastructure that supports our global operations today while preparing us for the next generation of cybersecurity challenges.”
Buddy Bayer, Chief Operating Officer, Colt Technology Services, said: “Abercrombie & Kent is a brand synonymous with unforgettable tailormade journeys, from stargazing in the Serengeti to navigating the Nile by riverboat. Delivering a seamless digital experience is now just as essential as delivering those memorable moments. With Colt’s world-class digital infrastructure and Arqit partnering with Colt to safeguard the network against tomorrow’s threats, A&K Travel Group can stay focused on what defines it: bringing its mission of ‘life, well-travelled’ to every guest, everywhere.”
Agostini, CIO from A&K Travel Group, took the time to talk to Intelligent CXO about the partnership.
Firstly, tell me more about how AKTG has grown in the last few years.
A&K Travel Group (AKTG) has experienced significant expansion in recent years, driven by organic growth and strategic acquisitions. The acquisitions of Cox & Kings in 2019 and Crystal in 2022 have broadened its portfolio and global footprint.
The group now operates across four major brands (Abercrombie & Kent, Crystal, Cox & Kings and Ecoventura) and has around 4,000 people in more than 65 offices across 40 countries, also running its own destination management network in over 100 countries.
From a technology perspective, this means the company is operating across tour operations, ultra-luxury cruises, safari lodges, riverboats and private jet programmes, often in some of the world’s most remote regions and the infrastructure must support this, end-to-end.
What prompted AKTG to look for a partner to deliver a global quantum-safe network?
The decision to seek a partner for a global, quantum-safe network was primarily driven by the need to bring together legacy systems; to modernise and protect the infrastructure while embedding advanced security from the outset: the organisation handles sensitive customer data and must ensure strong privacy protections.
AKTG operates in highly diverse and often remote environments where reliable connectivity cannot be assumed, yet expectations from clients remain extremely high – technology is foundational to daily operations and is central to the customer experience across all properties, including ocean vessels, river boats, Galapagos yachts, camps, and, increasingly, third-party hosted locations.
AKTG aimed to build a secure, scalable, and consistent network foundation that could support its global operations and future digital ambitions, including enhanced customer experiences and internal collaboration.
Can you tell me more about what is meant by the threat presented by ‘harvest now, decrypt later’?
The concept of ‘harvest now, decrypt later’ refers to a cybersecurity risk in which malicious actors intercept and store encrypted data today with the intention of decrypting it in the future, once more powerful technologies – such as quantum computing – make this possible.
Even if current encryption standards are robust against today’s computing capabilities, they may become vulnerable as quantum technology advances. For a business like AKTG, which manages sensitive personal and financial data, this creates a long-term risk to confidentiality. Investing in quantum-safe encryption is a proactive measure to ensure that data remains secure not just now, but in the future.
What is AKTG’s aim with this partnership?
AKTG’s partnership with Colt and Arqit is focused on delivering a unified, high-performance, secure global network that supports both operational efficiency and customer experience. The goal is to create a single platform with consistent connectivity and security standards across all brands and locations, from city offices to remote camps and ships at sea. By doing so, AKTG aims to enable better collaboration across its global teams, faster decision-making and more seamless service delivery to guests.
The partnership also ensures that advanced encryption and security capabilities are embedded at the core of the infrastructure, reinforcing trust and safeguarding privacy.
The network spans every region in which AKTG operates. When it’s fully in place the group will have consistent performance, a unified security posture and a single platform to build on. Benefits to the business include faster decision-making, better collaboration across brands and a stronger guest experience because the people serving our customers have the right information at the right time.
Whare the main challenges facing AKTG in general?
Like any growing business, AKTG faces several ongoing challenges. First is the operational complexity of delivering consistent services across geographically-dispersed and often remote environments where infrastructure may be limited or non-existent. Second is the integration challenge stemming from its acquisition-led growth, which has resulted in varied legacy systems and standards. Third, the company must meet exceptionally high customer expectations, particularly around seamless connectivity and privacy, even in remote destinations. Finally, like many organisations, AKTG must navigate an evolving cybersecurity landscape, ensuring that its defences remain ahead of emerging threats rather than reacting to them.
What’s next for AKTG?
Looking ahead, AKTG is focused on completing its 18-month infrastructure modernisation programme, which is being rolled out in phases globally. Beyond this, the group aims to expand its digital capabilities both internally and externally. Internally, this includes consolidating tools and systems to create a more unified way of working. Externally, the focus is on enhancing the end-to-end guest journey – from planning to post-trip engagement – through technology that complements its high-touch service model. Additionally, AKTG is continuing to invest in innovation, including AI and other emerging technologies, as it seeks to pioneer new travel experiences while maintaining its leadership in luxury travel.
