News

Eurocamp sold for £90m to French travel company

Eurocamp has been sold to a French travel company for almost £90 million.


The Cheshire-based former subsidiary of Holidaybreak was sold by Indian-based owner Cox & Kings as part of a restructuring strategy.


New owners Homair Vacances group acquired the business for £89.2 million.


Eurocamp offers camping holidays in France, as well as a range of European holidays across 170 parks in 11 European countries.


The enlarged group will operate 15,000 mobile-homes located on around 300 campsites in France, Spain, Italy and Croatia.


The deal is subject to approval by the competition regulators in the UK.


Holidaybreak chief executive Peter Kerkar said the mobile-home rental business was not a strategic priority for the group.


“The sale of camping is consistent with our strategy of becoming a leisure and education travel group and allows us to focus on these businesses that have a global footprint with market leadership positions,” he said.


“This sale will strengthen our balance sheet and the growth capability of our core businesses.”


Alain Calmé, chairman of the management board of the Homair Vacances, said: “This acquisition is a major development step of the Homair Vacances group, which is a growing provider of European outdoor holidays.


“Eurocamp is a strongly recognised market player, greatly appreciated by the customers, especially in the UK and Ireland.


“We will develop this brand by respecting its DNA, as we did for the Al Fresco brand we purchased three years ago.”


Eurocamp managing director Steve Whitfield added: “We are delighted that we have found a shareholder who understands our market and appreciates our potential for growth.”


Holidaybreak was acquired by Cox & Kings for £312 million in 2011.


Its other brands include PGL, Superbreak and Explore adventure holidays.

Share article

View Comments

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.