21 Mar 2018
Adelaide-based Discovery Parks has added a tropical resort to its rapidly expanding collection of hero resorts, buying the Airlie Cove Resort and Caravan Park for $8.2 million.
The deal follows Discovery Parks’ recent acquisition of the Top Parks brand which has created the largest network of holiday parks in Australia and the largest loyalty program; G’day rewards.
Discovery Parks CEO Grant Wilckens said the acquisition was a strategic investment in the globally recognised Whitsundays where strong demand for accommodation is forecast beyond 2020.
“The Airlie Cove Resort and Caravan Park is a beautiful family holiday destination with the largest resort pool in Airlie Beach, water slides, mini golf and an outdoor cinema.
“It complements our resorts in Coolwaters Yeppoon, Fraser Coast and Byron Bay - providing high quality accommodation options for customers travelling the coastal route,” Mr Wilckens said.
The resort has a total of 56 cabins and 80 caravan sites in a prime position as a key connection point in the coastal route between the Whitsundays and Brisbane. Most of the resort’s domestic visitors come from outside the 400km radius that traditionally supply parks, providing scope for growth.
In addition, the park has approval to build another four cabin or safari tents and there are opportunities to grow repeat visitation with referrals from parks within the network.
“It’s already a lovely resort but there’s potential for further development and considerable revenue upside with Discovery Parks’ dynamic pricing model,” Mr Wilckens said.
“It’s in a wonderful part of the world – near the sailing paradise of the Whitsundays which is becoming globally recognised as one of the world leading tropical island and marine leisure holiday destinations.
“We’re excited to bring this park to our G’day guests and we’re sure that this type of resort accommodation will appeal to people who currently don’t consider holiday parks. The sector is growing very strongly as people are increasingly realising the wonderful experiences they can have in parks,” Mr Wilckens said.