Dnata completes Stella purchase
Dubai-based Dnata has received regulatory approval of its purchase of Travel 2 parent Stella Travel Services.
The purchase includes Travel 2 and all four of Stella’s other brands: TravelBag, Sunmaster, Global Travel Group and Triton Rooms.
The five brands will become part of the dnata Travel portfolio, which includes Gold Medal Travel Group, and Travel Republic, and additional investments in Hogg Robinson Group, and Mindpearl Group.
"As dnata’s travel business continues to grow, we look for opportunities to build our expertise, and strengthen our offering to customers, and Stella Travel Services does both," said Iain Andrew, Divisional senior vice president of dnata’s travel business.
"Stella, and its leadership team, have a deep understanding of the local market and will support the continued growth of the long-haul travel out of the UK."
Last year, the UAE was Stella’s most popular selling destination, said dnata.
"The partnership with dnata—and Stella’s experience driving business and leisure travel to the UAE—will boost the tourism industry in the region, and improve dnata’s total purchasing power," it said.
"dnata is committed to supporting the growth of our business and our people," said Stella chief executive Andrew Botterill.
"As a growing, diverse group, dnata is able to invest in our long-term ambitions. Their understanding of the Middle East and Indian Ocean, and our expertise in the UK will benefit customers and the industry at large."
The acquisition takes immediate effect, with no interruption to the services offered by Stella Travel Services.
The business will continue under the Stella Travel Services branding.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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