Journey Beyond has expanded its tourism portfolio by acquiring Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia and entering into an agreement to acquire SeaLink’s tourism portfolio.
The Australia-based tour operator recently announced the completion of its acquisition of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, including its iconic businesses Ayers Rock Resort in Yulara and Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre in Far North Queensland.
The transaction follows extensive consultation led by the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) with the Traditional Owners—Anangu of Yulara and the Kuku Yalanji of Mossman Gorge, and represents a significant step toward returning the lands at both sites to Community ownership.
The addition of Ayers Rock Resort and Mossman Gorge complements Journey Beyond’s existing portfolio of rail expeditions, unique camps and lodges, cruises and touring experiences.
“This is an incredibly important and exciting moment for Journey Beyond,” Chris Tallent, CEO of Journey Beyond, said in a statement. “Voyages aligns perfectly with our purpose—to create amazing, connected and authentic experiences. Our ambition continues to bring together the most distinctive, experience-led brands that celebrate the very best of Australia’s and New Zealand’s landscapes and cultures.”
Journey Beyond has a strong track record of partnering with First Nations communities across its business, including through its Outback Spirit network, rail expeditions and wilderness lodges.
The company will continue Voyages’ commitment to respectful cultural tourism and to partnering with and delivering tangible economic outcomes for Indigenous Australians. The National Indigenous Training Academy (NITA) will continue to play an important role in developing education and employment pathways and growing First Nations representation and participation across the broader tourism industry.
A condition of the sale includes Journey Beyond’s commitment to remove the word “Indigenous” from the Voyages corporate name to reflect that it is no longer owned by the ILSC.
The company name will change from Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia to Voyages Tourism Australia. The change reflects the shift in ownership, while Voyages and Journey Beyond will continue their commitment to building partnerships and supporting outcomes for First Nations people across the group.
Journey Beyond is expected to welcome these new experiences and the Voyages team into its broader group.
Journey Beyond has also announced that it has entered into an agreement with Kelsian Group to acquire its SeaLink tourism portfolio, further expanding its range of travel experiences across Australia’s most iconic destinations.
The acquisition includes SeaLink and Captain Cook’s tourism operations across Sydney Harbour, Perth and the Swan River, the Whitsundays, Bruny Island, Tasmania and Darwin, along with the iconic Kingfisher Bay and K’gari Beach Resorts, Murray Princess Cruising and Adelaide Sightseeing tours.
The expanded network complements Journey Beyond’s existing portfolio, including its iconic rail expeditions, immersive lodges and adventure experiences, and will unlock new opportunities for guests to extend their journeys—from continuing an Outback rail adventure north to the Tiwi Islands, to discovering Adelaide and South Australia through curated sightseeing experiences.
Tallent said, “This agreement marks an exciting step forward for Journey Beyond. We are proud to broaden our portfolio with a collection of highly respected tourism businesses that share our commitment to delivering extraordinary guest experiences.
“Importantly, they are highly complementary to our existing brands. They create new opportunities for guests to seamlessly extend their journeys across Australia—whether that’s transitioning from rail to reef, river to resort, or city to sea—and further cements Journey Beyond’s leadership in experiential tourism.”
Completion of the transaction is subject to customary processes and regulatory approvals.
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