Flight Centre Travel Group (FLT), one of the world’s largest travel groups, has acquired luxury tour operator Scott Dunn, which specializes in delivering highly customized vacations to over 100 destinations, with office locations in the U.K., the U.S. and Singapore. The acquisition provides a gateway for FLT into the luxury travel sector, part of its growth strategy in the Northern Hemisphere.
Scott Dunn will retain its brand with the existing management team continuing to oversee the business under FLT’s ownership, ensuring a business-as-usual approach is maintained for its guests and team members based in the U.K., U.S. and Singapore. The business will continue its guest-centric focus.
“We are very excited to welcome Scott Dunn to our group,” said Graham Turner, managing director of Flight Centre Travel Group. “The business has a very strong and experienced management team, headed up by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sonia Davies, who will continue to run the business.”
He added, “We see this brand and business as our opportunity to grow our leisure presence in the large U.K. and U.S. markets and the presence in Singapore further cements its distinctive offering in an attractive and growing segment in which third party travel services are highly desired. Cash rich, time poor customers highly value the services of Scott Dunn and competitive forces are weaker.
“The business ticks the main boxes that we have defined to play in the luxury segment: exceptional service combined with high quality product, an authentic brand with desired benefits, it has a prestigious image, commands a premium price and is capable of inspiring deep connections with customers.
“Our discussions with Scott Dunn management also indicate that FLT is well-positioned to help Scott Dunn achieve its strategic objectives and unlock a new era of growth,” Turner concluded.
Scott Dunn CEO Davies said, “We are proud of how strong the Scott Dunn brand has become in the U.K., how we are continuing to grow our business in the U.S. and Singapore and our commitment to being a responsible business. Our team worked tirelessly to help the business navigate through the pandemic and recover strongly and I’m hugely grateful to the entire team for their resilience and continued hard work, and for the support of our previous board and shareholders.
“We’re excited to continue our journey and embark on a new era of growth as part of the Flight Centre Travel Group. We will continue to put our guests at the heart of everything we do as we deliver fantastic vacations at every life stage.”
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