Hamilton Island sale

[Scarlett]

$1.2 billion Hamilton Island sale labelled 'extraordinary'

An American equity firm plans to purchase the jewel of the Whitsundays.

www.abc.net.au

This kind of purchase doesn’t happen unless the buyers think they can extract more return from the asset. How much will the costs for landing fees and ground handling and hence HTI airfares, rise, in the coming year?

With JQ out of the HTI market I wonder if QF and VA have the leverage to keep a lid on the costs? Would they simply stop flying there if the ground costs increased significantly or would they just add it to the cost of airfares?

I guess accom, food and beverages and activities will also be increasing in cost. Maybe if you wanted to visit HTI, now would be a good time to secure bookings…

Internet search returns:
Blackstone Private Equity is the core division of Blackstone Inc., one of the world’s largest alternative asset managers, focusing on buying, improving, and selling private companies (leveraged buyouts) and growth-stage businesses globally, using vast capital from large investors to drive value through strategic, operational, and financial enhancements, with a recent notable purchase being Australia's Hamilton Island. They invest across many sectors, aiming for long-term growth by partnering with management teams for transformative impact.

 

[Melburnian1]

Hamilton Island is super uncompetitive with southeast Asian resorts.

But the duopoly will fly there if Australians keep booking despite the outrageous prices.

My family can have two weeks on a Filipino island such as Palawan, Boracay or Cebu at a pleasant resort including airfares for far less than domestic airfares plus the most modest HI accommodation costs. The same comment applies to Bali, Thailand et al.

 

[kpc]

I have been to Hamilton Island twice including earlier this year...main advantage is that I can get there from Sydney in just under 3 hours ...compared to Asia.

I agree flights are expensive but we used points and Amex free flight.

Accomodation is not bad but not super luxurious unless staying at Qualia. We stayed at Whitsunday Apartments, where the rooms have been refurbished and is self catering which can keep costs down.
Also it is a short boat ride to Whitehaven beach, often voted the best beach in the world!