Tasmania’s Freycinet Lodge and Cradle Mountain Hotel are among a portfolio of tourism assets set to be acquired by the National Roads and Motorists Association (NRMA) in a move designed to offer new tourism experiences to its members.
In addition to the two prominent Tasmanian hotels, the deal with the Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania (RACT) will include Strahan Village and Gordon River Cruises – adding further value to NRMA’s AUD$800 million investment portfolio. Terms of the latest acquisition, including a dollar value, have not been disclosed.
As part of the deal, NRMA will create a new division known as NRMA Expeditions, under which it will work to strategically grow its tourism portfolio through further acquisitions and partnerships. For this purpose, the company has placed Rachel Wiseman into a newly created role of NRMA Expeditions CEO.
Speaking on the acquisition, Wiseman said Tasmania’s unique natural assets and sophisticated food and cultural offerings will be central to tourism’s role in driving Australia’s post-COVID economic recovery while international borders remain closed.
“NRMA Expeditions will focus on delivering five-star experiences in natural environments and this is exactly what the RACT acquisition will deliver,” she said.
“Our members have told us, overwhelmingly, that they want new experiences and we want to deliver that for them.”
RACT Group Chief Executive Officer, Mark Mugnaioni, said both the RACT and NRMA held a shared commitment to quality experiences that match the unique Tasmanian landscape.
“RACT is pleased to be able to hand over the keys of this iconic portfolio to a like-minded organisation that is keen to continue to invest in the Tasmanian tourism industry,” he said.
“We also look forward to partnering with the NRMA to provide unique Tasmanian insights into their operation.
“Importantly, throughout this process our people impacted by this decision have been our priority and we are pleased that NRMA has committed to support our people through a continued operational structure that will see our staff retained as part of the deal.”