Imagine Cruising has acquired Australian travel company HolidayPlanet.
The UK-based cruise and stay specialist Imagine, which is 51% owned by dnata – part of the Emirates Group – began trading out of Brisbane, Australia, in 2016.
It was founded in 2011 by chief executive Robin Deller and has offices in Cape Town and Dubai.
HolidayPlanet, which has been based in Perth for 17 years, sells flights and escorted tours as well as cruises. Its other brands include Cruise Planet, Flight Planet and Seniors Planet.
Co-founder and managing director Alan Dodson will be staying with the business following the acquisition and operations director Michael Croy will be retiring.
Robin Deller said “We have seen considerable success since launching Imagine Cruising in the booming Australian Cruise market. Holiday Planet is an excellent fit to Imagine Cruising as we look to grow further in Australia. Their expertise in offering a wide range of holidays, combined with our expertise in cruise and stay holidays, will provide a compelling offering to holidaymakers right across Australia. I would like to thank and congratulate Alan for deciding to become part of Imagine Cruising and we look forward to working with him and his team.”
Alan Dodson, founder and managing director of Holiday Planet, added: “I am more excited than ever about what we can achieve in the coming years, and about working with Robin and his team at Imagine Cruising to grow Holiday Planet further. It is terrific to have the backing and investment of Imagine Cruising as well as the backing of dnata and the Emirates Group. We look forward to offering our loyal customers an increased range of innovative holidays in the future.”
While completion is subject to Australian Government approval, the companies said they are not expecting any challenges.
More: Dnata Travel acquires majority stake in Imagine Cruising