After close to a year of speculation, it has been confirmed that Journey Beyond is now the most likely suitor to purchase the operator of Ayers Rock Resort and the Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre, Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia.
The Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) confirmed to travelBulletin that it has entered “exclusive discussions” with the experiential tourism company, leaving rival bidder Airport Development Group as a remote prospect of making the purchase.
The ILSC stressed that discussions are ongoing and that at this stage, there is no final binding agreement for an acquisition deal, and no further comment will be given until a meaningful update has been agreed to.
If the sale goes ahead, the land at Yulara and Mossman Gorge will be transferred to the appropriate representative group for each of the Traditional Owners, the primary motivation for making the divestment.
Gilbert+Tobin and Greenhill have been enlisted to explore sale options in early 2024, with media reports swirling later that year that Journey Beyond was one of the major candidates to make a play for Voyages.
At the time, Journey Beyond said it was not able to comment, however Airport Development Group did confirm its interest, stating it relished the chance to look after an Australian icon.
