Dnata acquires 51% stake in UK’s Imagine Cruising

Dubai

Dnata, the wholly-owned subsidiary of the Emirates Group, said on Monday it has acquired a 51 per cent stake in UK-based cruise distributor Imagine Cruising.

Dnata announced it had “signed an agreement to purchase a majority stake”, in a statement on Monday. A dnata spokesperson confirmed the size of the stake but declined to state the value of the investment.

Iain Andrew, divisional senior vice-president of dnata’s travel business, stated that the acquisition strengthens dnata’s position “as an international leader in travel services”.

The deal is subject to “merger control clearance” in South Africa with both companies operating in the market. Dnata stated its operations will remain independent of Imagine Cruising.

“The partnership between Imagine Cruising and dnata will support the development of both businesses,” stated Imagine Cruising Managing Director Robin Deller.

It is dnata’s latest acquisition in the UK following acquisitions of Stella Travel Services, Travel Republic and Gold Medal.

“Imagine will lead the strategic development of cruise across dnata travel brands offering customers of Travel Republic, Gold Medal Travel Group and Stella Travel Services an enhanced choice of unique cruise holidays,” Andrew stated.