Mergers & Acquisitions

🛳️ Hays Travel acquires Victoria Travel Group, including Cruise.co.uk and Seascanner, marking its first OTA acquisition. The UK and German divisions reported a £252 million transaction value. This is Hays' seventh acquisition since 2019, following its takeover of Spear Travels and Miles Morgan Travel. Chief executive Chris Gardner remains in charge. Key figures are Jonathon Woodall-Johnston and Jo Rzymowska joining as non-executive directors. The acquisition aligns with Hays’ cruise strategy and growth ambitions.

🏨 Rambler Group Holdings acquired The Oaks Hotel & Leisure Club in Burnley, originally listed for £1.8 million, built in 1885 with 51 rooms on 3.5 acres. Located in Reedley, near M65, it offers easy access to Manchester and Leeds. Lavender Hotels sold it to reinvest in other assets. Future plans include refurbishments and expansion. Legal advice was provided by Harrison Drury and Onecall Hospitality. Rambler aims to enhance guest experiences while preserving the hotel's historic charm.

🏡 Wealthy Americans are opting for private holiday homes over luxury hotels, driven by privacy and space. The global holiday rental market is projected to reach $125 billion by 2029, with intense competition from fractional ownership models. Exclusive Resorts, owned by Steve Case, boasts a billion-dollar portfolio of 400+ residences. It recently acquired a majority stake in Onefinestay, expanding its reach. The trend favors personalized experiences, drawing high-net-worth clients seeking exclusivity and customization.

🏨 Marriott International expands by acquiring 37 citizenM hotels, totaling 8,789 rooms, across over 20 cities globally, with two more in the pipeline. Full integration into Marriott's systems is expected by the end of the year, enhancing Marriott Bonvoy's loyalty benefits. citizenM, known for its tech-savvy approach since 2008, will continue to offer its subscription benefits. This follows Marriott's $100 million acquisition of the City Express brand, marking its entry into the midscale market.

💸 Amol Kohli, a Friendly's franchisee, acquired BRIX Holdings LLC in Dallas. BRIX brands include Friendly's, Clean Juice, and more. Kohli, managing over 30 Friendly's since 2009, becomes Chairman. BRIX, led by CEO Sherif Mityas, plans national expansion, targeting Georgia, the Carolinas, and Texas. The acquisition marks Friendly's 90th anniversary. In 2025, BRIX opened new locations and awarded eight franchise agreements. Legal representation included Dilworth Paxson LLP for buyers and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP for sellers.

🍴 Friendly's franchisee Amol Kohli acquired BRIX Holdings LLC, including Friendly's®, Clean Juice®, and more, in 2025. BRIX remains headquartered in Dallas. Kohli, since 2009, owns 30+ Friendly's on the East Coast and plans expansion into Georgia, the Carolinas, and Texas. In 2024, BRIX saw positive same-store sales, and in 2025, opened several locations. Eight new franchises are underway. Sherif Mityas continues as CEO. Legal representation: Dilworth Paxson LLP for buyers, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP for sellers.

🗺 Meliá Hotels International and Bankinter Investment will jointly own the Paradisus Salinas Lanzarote for 10 years, following a strategic acquisition aimed at expanding Meliá's luxury portfolio in the Canary Islands. The repositioning of the hotel, supported by an investment of over €125 million, enhances its alignment with Paradisus brand standards. Meliá now holds a 53.75% stake, reflecting confidence in Lanzarote's potential as a premium, year-round destination. This move follows Meliá's recovery to pre-pandemic debt ratios.

🌎 TravCorp Holdings Ltd has acquired Specialist Holidays Group from Travelopia, adding Citalia, American Holidays, and Sovereign Luxury Travel to its portfolio. Led by Helen Adamson, who remains as Managing Director, this acquisition is backed by BGF and aims to enhance TravCorp's growth strategy under CEO Andy Freeth and Chair Andrew Botterill. The acquisition strengthens TravCorp's reputation for customer-centered service and destination knowledge.

🏨 Barceló Hotel Group acquired a 338-room hotel in Levallois-Perret, near Paris, for €70 million. This strategic acquisition marks Barceló's entry into the French market. The hotel, now part of the upscale Occidental Hotels & Resorts brand, is located in the Front de Seine business district and offers 700 m² of meeting space. This purchase is part of Barceló's broader European expansion, bringing its total to 108 hotels in the continent.