ECRUISING founders Brett and Philippa Dudley (pictured) have announced the sale of the pioneering online cruise company which was established two decades ago (CW breaking news).
The purchaser of their shares is private equity firm Skybound Fidelis Investment Limited, the owner of Gold Coast-based LeisureCom Group which operates brands such as Discover Queensland, Hightide Holidays and Global Explorer.
Ecruising was the first Australian travel agency to develop direct API connections with major cruise lines, and has been credited with changing the way Australians purchase cruise holidays online.
The company generated more than $30 million in sales during the last financial year, with its portfolio also including the high-end luxury travel brand Latitude 33, created in 2016.
Dudley and his team will continue to run the business from their Sydney office, working alongside LeisureCom Group to grow the operations.
“I always wanted to get our business to the 20-year mark, a real milestone achievement,” Dudley said.
“I am excited about what the future holds for Ecruising and Latitude 33, and I am confident that LeisureCom Group is the right partner to help us achieve the next stage of growth.”
LeisureCom Group Chief Executive Officer Steve Chant said the Ecruising acquisition was part of a strategy to aggressively grow the firm’s leisure, travel and lifestyle footprint in the Australian market.
