Journey Beyond continues to expand its Australian luxury tourism portfolio by pursuing the acquisition of premium reef-adventure operator Sailaway Port Douglas, subject to regulatory processes.
Operating a fleet of four, luxury, state-of-the-art sailing catamarans, Sailaway Port Douglas offers boutique sailing and snorkelling experiences to Mackay Coral Cay on the outer Great Barrier Reef; the Low Isles, a coral cay island; and Sunset Sailing.
Sailaway Port Douglas founders Steve and Katrina Edmondson are also pioneers of snorkelling and sailing to the Great Barrier Reef.
These experiences align with Journey Beyond’s promise to go further, complementing the group’s existing marine offerings and strengthening its position as a marine tourism leader.
The group’s Cruise Whitsundays business has delivered Great Barrier Reef experiences from Port Airlie and Hamilton Island for more than 20 years, and the addition of Sailaway Port Douglas will increase its share of Queensland reef visitation.
Both businesses share a deep commitment to sustainability: the ‘Journey Lightly’ pledge dovetails with Sailaway Port Douglas’ eco-tourism ethos, which promotes reef conservation and responsible tourism.
Journey Beyond CEO Chris Tallent said: “We are excited to welcome Sailaway Port Douglas to the Journey Beyond growing portfolio of iconic brands and experiences. This acquisition continues our dedication and commitment to showcasing Australia’s most extraordinary natural wonders.”
The Edmondsons added: “Journey Beyond are now the proud custodians of our legacy, and like Sailaway Port Douglas, they embody an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for their customers.”
“We’re confident the future of Sailaway Port Douglas is in steady hands, and we wish them every success as they take the helm and continue to drive growth and investment in the region.”
Journey Beyond recently purchased New Zealand-based Grand Pacific Tours, marking its first international foray.
The private equity-backed group is also the frontrunner to acquire Ayers Rock Resort with a final agreement yet to be locked in.
For more info, head to journeybeyond.com
