Grant Hunt announces new business

Former CEO and Managing Director of Voyages Hotels and Resorts and Grant Hunt and Gresham Private Equity, have formed a new venture to build a portfolio of businesses catering to the growing demand for premium quality nature-based experiential tourism.

Mr Hunt, who is the CEO of the new venture, said the Group’s first acquisition was the iconic Cradle Huts and Bay of Fires Walks, which have been acquired from founder, Ken Latona for an undisclosed sum.

“Ken Latona is a staunch conservationist and one of the industry’s true pioneers,” Mr Hunt said. “He should be applauded for his approach to the development and management of both the walks and the awarding winning lodge and we are delighted that has given us the opportunity to be the new custodian.

“Cradle Huts and Bay of Fires are clearly examples of the high standard that can be achieved in nature-based tourism in Australia and will form the centre piece of a portfolio of businesses aimed at the high yield end of the Australian experiential, nature-based tourism market.”

Mr Hunt said the new venture had identified a number of opportunities and planned further acquisitions and developments in Tasmania and at other sites throughout the country.

Roy McKelvie, CEO of Gresham Private Equity said, “Grant is a highly regarded professional with a long track-record in developing tourism businesses which generate outstanding returns to investors.” “He has identified a strategy and a range of investment opportunities which we believe will fast-track the development of a unique Australian-based experiential tourism business.”

About Cradle Huts

Cradle Huts is a six day, fully guided walk on the famous Overland Track, with accommodation each night in our five private Huts. The 60 km Overland Track takes in some of the Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park’s most spectacular scenery – a timeless World Heritage listed landscape that sharpens the senses.

The walk extends from Cradle Valley and the beautiful Dove Lake, across serene mountains, past calm lakes and through dark forests to the magnificent Lake St Clair.

Each night walkers relax in the comfort of the only privately owned and operated huts on the track, enjoying sumptuous meals and fine wines.

About Bay of Fires

The Bay of Fires Walk and Lodge takes in the magnificent coastal landscapes of the Mt William National Park.

The four day fully guided walk includes one night in a newly refurbished beach camp where guests stay in private tents on raised platforms as waves crash only meters away.

The second and third nights are spent at the famous Bay of Fires Lodge designed by renowned Tasmanian architect, Ken Latona.

The second day at the lodge includes a kayaking adventure down the tranquil water ways of the Ansons River, before a picnic lunch and leisurely stroll back along Abottsbury Peninsula to the lodge.

In the evenings, sumptuous meals and fine wine help recall the adventures of the day’s activities.

Both walks operate from early October to early May.

Details can be found at http://www.cradlehuts.com.au/ and http://www.bayoffires.com.au/  

About Grant Hunt

For more than a decade until April 2006, Grant Hunt was CEO and Managing Director of Voyages Hotels and Resorts.

During his tenure, Grant oversaw the creation and development of the Voyages brand, the improvement and expansion of the portfolio and was the creator of iconic projects such as Australia’s first luxury safari camp, Longitude 131 at Uluru.

Grant is well known throughout the tourism industry as a leader in nature based tourism development, and as a pioneer in the area of corporate social responsibility within the sector.

Grant is a Board Director of Tourism Australia, Chairman of the Tourism NT Advisory Board, and a member of the Indigenous Tourism Australia panel. He was named by Travel and Leisure magazine as one of the Tourism Industry’s Top 20 Innovators in 2006.

About Gresham Private Equity

Gresham Private Equity is a leading private equity firm specialising in management buy-ins and buy-outs targeting investment opportunities in both Australia and New Zealand.

Current investments include:

** Riveria, Australia’s leading builder of Sport Cruisers and Sport yachts;

** Noel Leeming Group, New Zealand’s largest electronic goods retailer;

** Disposable nappy manufacturer APPP, manufacturers of the BabyLove brand;

** Women’s apparel retailer, Witchery Fashions;

** Trans-Tasman printing company, GEON Group; and,

** Mining Services company, Barminco.

A Report by The Mole