Experience Co expands portfolio with two big acquisitions

Experience Co expands portfolio with two big acquisitions
By Travel Weekly


ASX-listed adventure tourism company Experience Co has acquired two well-known Australian tourism entities, Wild Bush Luxury and The Maria Island Walk in Tasmania.

The acquisitions will form the beginning of a new premium adventure category for Experience Co.

The company currently has a Great Barrier Reef division, which offers tours in far North Queensland, and a skydiving division with 16 drop zones throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Experience Co expects to complete its purchase of Wild Bush Luxury and The Maria Island Walk by June 2021. They are the first new acquisitions for the company since 2017.

The Wild Bush Luxury brand includes a range of premium walks from Arkaba Homestead in the stunning Flinders Ranges, as well as wildlife and fishing safaris from Bamurru Plains Safari Lodge on the Mary River Wetlands.

Charles Carlow, who founded Wild Bush Luxury in 2006, will stay on with the business following its acquisition.

 

 

In Tasmania, The Maria Island Walk delivers a multi-day walking experience that allows guests to immerse themselves in the stunning natural landscapes and learn about the fascinating history and the flora and fauna of the island which lies off the state’s east coast.

Ian Johnstone, who has led The Maria Island Walk since its inception in 2003, will retire from employment with the business, while the day-to-day management team will continue in their roles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAHtoUx-yJE

 

 

Experience Co CEO John O’ Sullivan said: “In the last year, we have focused on simplifying business as part of our strategic plan announced in FY20 and managing the business through COVID 19.

“Now that we have recommenced all our operations, we are growing a strong business base and we are ready to start looking at what’s next.

“These acquisitions allow us to extend our current portfolio into the premium adventure segment of the market, which we believe will provide strong growth opportunities both from Australian travellers and also international visitors when the borders eventually reopen.

“We are also excited by the opportunity to learn from what has been done by these two companies in the conservation arena and build on the opportunity to connect our guests with the natural environment, as we are currently doing with our research and education work on the Great Barrier Reef.”

Featured image source: Facebook/Wild Bush Luxury

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