Flight Centre to acquire Scott Dunn in £120 million deal

FLT will operate Scott Dunn as an independent business unit, with support from the wider group. It plans to retain Scott Dunn’s existing management team, who will continue to oversee the brand under FLT’s ownership.

Flight Centre said Scott Dunn was a "premium travel brand" dealing in high margin leisure travel in the "resident" luxury travel segment, characterised by "large average booking values and strong levels of repeat bookings".

The acquisition, it said, would allow the group to diversify its footprint in the northern hemisphere, while also underpinning its plan to expand in its core markets and develop a portfolio of global luxury travel brands.

’New era of growth’

Graham Turner, FLT managing director, praised Scott Dunn’s "strong and experienced management team" under chief executive Sonia Davies, and their efforts to build "a global leader in the luxury travel segment".

"Scott Dunn provides us with the opportunity to grow our leisure presence in the large UK and US luxury markets in an attractive and growing segment, while also fast-tracking our objective of developing a global luxury collection of travel brands," said Turner.

"High-net-worth, time poor customers highly value the services of Scott Dunn as show by their customers’ loyalty. The business ticks the main boxes we have defined to play in the luxury segment: exceptional service/high quality, an authentic brands with desired benefits, it has a prestigious image, commands a premium price, and is capable of inspiring deep connections with customers."

Turner added the acquisition would drive a new era of growth at Scott Dunn.

Davies said she was proud of the strength of the Scott Dunn brand in the UK and US, and its commitments to being a responsible business. "We’re excited now to continue our journey and accelerate our growth with the Flight Centre Travel Group."