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Global Ports Holding expands ancillary services with Dreamlines investment

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Emre Sayin, Global Ports Holding ceo: ‘Dreamlines will strengthen our knowledge and expertise in the cruise sector'
Global Ports Holding (GPH), operators of 14 cruise ports around the world, is expanding its ancillary services portfolio having entered into an exclusive partnership with, and simultaneously made an investment in online travel agency, Dreamlines GmbH.

Dedicated to selling cruises, Dreamlines was founder in 2012 and operates in twelve countries around the world (Australia, Austria, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Russia, Singapore, Switzerland, UK and US).

It has tripled booking volumes over the last three years, delivering 40% YoY organic growth in 2017.

The company is based in Hamburg, Germany, where the majority of its 600 employees are based.

The business model of Dreamlines is built on the aggregation and presentation of a comprehensive cruise inventory to customers through its proprietary, inhouse-developed software solutions and custom-built content management systems.

Dreamlines also sells ancilliary products

Supported by more than 300 cruise sales experts, Dreamlines sells cruise products online, via phone and email plus ancillary products and services such as accommodation and transportation.

In addition, the proprietary software is made available to offline travel agents granting them access to Dreamlines’ content, helping to generate additional booking volume.

Dreamlines expecting to reach sales of €400m this year

Dreamlines is expected booking volume of €400m this year.

‘The exclusive partnership with Dreamlines will allow GPH to deepen our understanding of passengers’ whole cruise experience as we continue to build our knowledge and expertise in B2C service and product offerings around cruise ports,’ commented GPH.

The partnership will allow GPH to work with Dreamlines on ways to promote its cruise ports and destinations to cruise customers worldwide as well as explore the potential for the development of additional retail and service opportunities, particularly pre and post cruise.

GPH’s ports welcome 7.3m passengers a year.

Dreamlines set to be the world’s 2nd largest online travel agent for cruise

GPH will invest up to €13m in Dreamlines in the form of a convertible loan note with a conversion option into a mid single-digit equity stake in Dreamlines within 12 months. Simultaneously, Dreamlines raised €45m in series E funding led by Princeville Global, well-known for successfully identifying and fuelling growth in technology companies.

Proceeds from the series E equity funding and the GPH convertible note will be used by Dreamlines towards further international growth and to complete the acquisition of Cruise 1st, a UK headquartered online travel agent specialising in cruises.

Following this acquisition, Dreamlines will be the world’s 2nd largest online travel agent for cruise bookings. Dreamlines  is targeting exceeding €1bn in annual booking value in the medium-term.
 
Emre Sayin, Global Ports Holding ceo, said: ‘Dreamlines is a global leader in its field; its attractive digital and sales force capabilities will strengthen our knowledge and expertise within the fast-growing global cruise market. Overtime we expect the partnership will allow us to further enhance our ancillary revenue streams through the development of new cruise passenger products and services, in line with one of our key strategic pillars.'

Felix Schneider, Dreamlines founder & ceo said: ‘Together with Global Ports Holding and our cruise line partners we will improve the experience for passengers around the globe even further.
As the fastest growing cruise online travel agency and largest cruise port operator Dreamlines and Global Ports Holding are a perfect fit to meet the passenger’s demand for unique cruises.’