Aqua founder Francesco Galli Zugaro to continue to lead the business.
Ponant Explorations Group has this morning confirmed the acquisition of small-ship expedition and river cruise company Aqua Expeditions.
The deal was backed by Ponant’s parent firm, the Pinault family’s investment company Artemis Group, which is also the owner of fashion brands such as Gucci and Balenciaga as well as auction house Christie’s.
Aqua Expeditions currently has five vessels operating in South America and Southeast Asia along with the imminent launch of itineraries in East Africa, with the deal set to allow the company to continue expanding its global footprint.
CEO and founder Francesco Galli Zugaro will remain as a shareholder, leading Aqua as a standalone business unit under the Aqua Expeditions brand name alongside his senior management team.
More details in today’s issue of Travel Daily.