Globalia said that it had no plans to sell its Be Live hotel chain, and was “exploring opportunities to grow in the market”.
Reports had suggested that the group had appointed E&Y to sell the 34-strong portfolio, located in Spain and the Caribbean, for a possible €500m.
CEO Javier Hidalgo said that the group would delay the planned integration of its agencies and tour operators with Ávoris, Barceló Group’s travel division “so that both groups focus on their own businesses and to relaunch their activity after the break in recent months”.
The end of last year saw Globalia and Barceló merge their travel divisions to create a Spanish tourism giant and leading company in the industry. Each of the two groups will have 50% of the new merged company, which will integrate brands such as Halcón Viajes, Travelplan and Ávoris, informed sources of the negotiation.
The new company would have 1,500 points of sale, a turnover of €2.6bn and more than 6,000 employees. The merger did not include Barceló Hotels and Be Live Hotels.