NRMA snaps up tourist park firm
owns/manages parks in every state including five in Queensland at Cairns, Palm Cove, Lake Somerset and Lake Monduran.
NRMA general manager of travel and touring Paul Davies said the organisation undertook a strategic review of its holiday park assets after Rohan Lund was appointed CEO last year.
“We looked at whether we wanted to be a significant player in the sector and saw holiday parks have great traction with our members,” he said.
“ATPM has a national footprint and we thought it would be great to use their operation as a springboard to expand our own operation. Eventually we want to be the No.1 player.” Mr Davies said ATPM’s management model was particularly attractive.
In March the Kempsey Shire Council in NSW named the company as manager of its five Macleay Valley Coastal Holiday Parks.
Mr Davies said the NRMA was looking at further buys with a focus on single parks rather than chains.
“Caravanning and camping is the fastest-growing accommodation sector and we see that in every state,” he said. “Last year it had doubledigit growth in NSW.”
He will move from Sydney to take up the role as chief executive of ATPM/NRMA Holiday Parks on the Gold Coast.
ATPM chair Glenn Sedgwick said the acquisition created a new force in the tourism industry.
“With the increasing corporatisation of the tourism sector, this transaction ensures that an important part of the industry remains in the hands of a community organisation,” he said.
The largest holiday park operator is South Australiabased Discovery Parks, which was established in 2004.