Mergers & Acquisitions

📰 Europe’s leading B2B travel tech publication, Travolution, acquired by Travelsoft through Eventiz, its subsidiary. Celebrating 20 years next month, Travolution joins Eventiz to form Travelsoft's Media & Events division. This follows Eventiz's 2024 acquisition. The deal aims to leverage synergies in journalism and events. Travelsoft's broad infrastructure includes Orchestra, Atcore, Travel Compositor, and TravelgateX. Christian Sabbagh, Travelsoft CEO, emphasizes the integration aligns with their strategy of uniting technology, content, and community.

🏨 Josiah Mackenzie and Andrew Arthurs are in Phoenix this week for The Lodging Conference, focusing on hotel owners and investors. Andrew Arthurs, President and COO of Actabl, discusses strategic approaches involving people, partnerships, and technology to enhance asset value.

💸 Travel software firm WeTravel, founded in 2014 in the Netherlands, has tripled its valuation after securing $92 million (€68 million) in Series C funding. Led by Sapphire Ventures, this investment will enhance its platform with AI-powered tools. CEO Ted Clements highlights the focus on streamlining complex workflows for multi-day travel. Other investors include Left Lane Capital and Base10. Previously, WeTravel raised $27 million under three years ago to expand its fintech solutions.

💰 EXTENDAM and Highgate have partnered to acquire the Hilton Porto Gaia, a 194-room, five-star hotel in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal. Opened in 2021, the hotel offers 47 suites, a restaurant, bar, spa, and a 350-seat auditorium. Managed by Highgate under the Hilton brand, the hotel holds an A-rated energy certificate and Biosphere Responsible Tourism certification. This marks the first collaboration between EXTENDAM and Highgate, aiming to leverage Porto's thriving market.

🏨 Aareal Bank financed Pullman Paris Montparnasse with Bain Capital, Columbia Threadneedle, and QuinSpark. The 34-story hotel in the 14th Arrondissement features 957 rooms, two restaurants, a sky bar, and 5,000 square meters of meeting space. The financing covers acquisition, guest upgrades, and sustainability efforts, following renovations from 2017 to 2021. Michelle Weiss emphasized Paris's allure and the property's long-term value, while Marc-Olivier Assouline praised Aareal's swift and confident underwriting.

💸 Ace entered sale negotiations with Sortis Holdings in early 2023, intending to sell for USD $85 million, but the deal fell through due to lost contracts and legal issues. Now, Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide is acquiring Ace for USD $90 million, set to close by September 2025. Ace will stay independent within SPW's 94-hotel portfolio, with seven more in the pipeline. This highlights the trend of boutique hotels being absorbed by larger groups.

🏨 Emily Goldfischer interviews Barbara Muckermann, CEO of Kempinski Hotels, in the latest episode of *Hospitality Daily*. Barbara discusses her first year leading Kempinski, the world’s oldest luxury hotel brand, reflecting on lessons from her cruise industry career. She reveals insights into Kempinski’s culture, emphasizing an asset-heavy growth approach and future positioning. Hospitality leaders will gain new perspectives on service and strategy in a competitive market.

🏨 Global Mutual has launched Global Mutual Hotels following the acquisition of Okami Hospitality Partners. As of now, the platform manages €500 million in assets, totaling 1,000 keys, with another 1,000 keys in development in Spain and Portugal. Expansion plans include the USA, Middle East, and Asia. Managing Director Ritchie Gardiner noted the volatile macro environment presents opportunities, while Javier Batlle emphasized the strengthened potential through Global Mutual’s strategic capabilities.

🏨 Zeus International Hotels & Resorts acquires Eretria Hotel & Spa Resort in Evia, Greece, enhancing its Greek market presence with this coastal property. The resort offers renovated rooms, private pools, wellness facilities, and diverse dining options. With this acquisition, Zeus International manages over 4,000 rooms across Greece, Italy, Romania, and Cyprus. CEO Haris Siganos aims to transform it into a flagship destination, emphasizing guest experience and high-quality investments.