The Goldman Group has today announced the acquisition of The Cruise Centre, with the company saying it expects to take the Brisbane-based brand into other states in the near future.
Goldman Group joint managing director Anthony Goldman told Cruise Weekly he was thrilled at the move, which continues a strongly cruise-focused leisure strategy for the company, which also operates the Sydney-based Goldman Travel Corporation and Travel Phase, Melbourne’s Travelcall, Quintessentially Travel Australia and the Smartflyer home-based network.
“A couple of years ago we decided to concentrate on cruise,” he said, with the fast-growing sector seen as offering strong opportunities for the business.
The vendor of The Cruise Centre is Savenio, and the deal will also see the eight-consultant agency switch to Helloworld Travel from its current affiliation with Travellers Choice.
Joint managing director at The Cruise Centre, Elizabeth Clarke, will join Goldman to ensure a seamless transition of the business from Savenio.
Goldman Group exec chairman Tom Goldman said “with Australia currently the fifth largest source market for cruises globally, building upon our cruise business was a priority for the group this year, alongside increased marketing and sales activity across all our travel businesses.
“This acquisition will position us as a major player in the premium and luxury cruising space, adding in-depth expertise and invaluable first hand cruising experience of The Cruise Centre’s consultants,” he added.
Goldman said the company was looking forward to rolling out The Cruise Centre brand in both Victoria and NSW in the near future “and to servicing and growing our cruise clientele nationwide”.
The acquisition includes The Cruise Centre brand itself, which has been trademarked, Anthony Goldman told Cruise Weekly.
He noted it was a strong fit for the company, with both businesses part of Virtuoso.
The Goldman Group has been awarded top Virtuoso agency in Australia and NZ for the last three years, while The Cruise Centre is “widely respected as one of Australia’s leading boutique cruise agencies,” Goldman said.
The expansion into Brisbane will also provide a Queensland base for Goldman’s strong corporate business, he added.
Anthony & Tom Goldman are pictured with David Goldman, joint managing director.
