French luxury expedition cruise line, PONANT has acquired a majority stake in Aqua Expeditions.
This move was seen to help the small ship operator to expand its footprint globally.
Aqua’s founder and CEO, Francesco Galli Zugaro, will remain a shareholder and will continue to lead the line as a standalone business unit.
The company currently operates small ships in bio-diversity areas, such as the Galapagos, Indonesia’s Raja Ampat, Komodo, Spice Islands, the Mekong River and the Peruvian Amazon River.
Zugaro said: “Partnering with another family-owned business ensures we maintain a heritage of luxury in our brand.
“With the financial support and expertise from our partners, we are well-positioned to continue our growth and offer our guests unforgettable journeys to the world’s most bio-diverse and culturally rich regions while maintaining our core brand values,” he said.
PONANT Explorations Group, which is backed by the Pinault family’s investment company, Artemis Group, claimed that buying a majority share in Aqua was “a strategic acquisition”.
Herve Gastinel, Group CEO (pictured), added: “This partnership aligns perfectly with our vision of excellence and sustainability in the luxury sector.
“It reflects our commitment to offering unparalleled travel experiences in iconic destinations, such as the Galapagos and now also river journeys, while preserving the natural beauty of the places we explore.
“We’re deeply impressed with the exceptional company that Francesco has built over the past 18 years and the unique brand he has developed in the experiential travel space,” he said.
Aqua is currently preparing to launch East African itineraries, exploring the Seychelles and Tanzania, with a particular focus on the Aldabra group of islands.
