Holiday Holdings has been sold to Rogers Aviation. Travel News speaks with industry veteran Gavin Simpson about the acquisition.
Simpson, Holiday Holdings CEO and Founder, is a leading South African businessman who is a household name among the country’s travel industry. Over the years, he has owned several businesses, from wholesale, retail, and representation companies to tour operators, game lodges, and golf estates. In 1992, he received a President’s Award for Export Achievement.
Now well into his seventies, Simpson is looking forward to winding down.
“I’m at the stage and age where I decided to uncomplicate my life,” he tells Travel News when asked what prompted the decision to sell Holiday Holdings.
While he describes the sale of Holiday Holdings as “quite emotional”, he is confident that the deal is a good fit for both Holiday Holdings and Rogers Aviation.
Holiday Holdings, comprising Holiday Aviation and APG South Africa, is one of the longest-serving and largest GSAs in the country. As an established GSA, Rogers Aviation is ideally positioned to take over the company from Simpson, who, despite the change in ownership, will remain involved in the business for at least a year.
Prior to the sale of Holiday Holdings, Simpson had been in talks with several potential buyers. However, when Rogers Aviation approached him, he says that he and the other directors at Holiday Holdings could see how it would make more sense for them to engage with Rogers.
“We realised that none of the other guys understood the airline business and didn’t know what we were talking about, so when we started talking to Rogers, it was like a breath of fresh air because they understood the GSA business and everything that comes with it.”
Rogers Aviation has been in business for 70 years and provides a range of aviation and travel services to countries within the Indian Ocean region. Headquartered in Mauritius, it also has offices in Comoros, Madagascar, Mayotte, Mozambique, Namibia, Réunion, Seychelles, and South Africa.
Rogers Aviation shared its views on the deal in its official statement.
“Today marks a historic and exciting milestone for Rogers Aviation. This acquisition will drive further growth and innovation, whilst creating more value for our customers, stakeholders and employees. Backed by APG, we shall solidify our presence in the region, positioning us as the leading service provider in the Indian Ocean and Southern Africa,” says Alexandre Fayd’Herbe, CEO of Rogers Aviation.
