Some business moves feel less like transactions and more like chapters closing with a firm handshake—quietly, confidently, and with mutual respect. Such is the case with Helloworld Travel’s announcement that it will acquire 100% of New Zealand’s Barlow Travel Group, a corporate travel stalwart with roots as deep as the networks it serves.
For those familiar with the New Zealand travel landscape, Barlow Travel Group is no stranger. Established by Peter Barlow in 2011, the business has become a respected force in corporate and event-based travel, operating under the globally recognised BCD Travel brand. It has remained independent in spirit throughout its history, yet firmly embedded within the Helloworld Associate network—a trusted partner rather than a subsidiary.
Now, that long-standing relationship enters a new phase.
Andrew Burnes AO, CEO and Managing Director of Helloworld Travel Limited, spoke candidly of the acquisition’s more profound meaning. “This isn’t just a smart fit—it’s a natural evolution. Peter and Ross have built something exceptional and shared years of close collaboration. Now we take that partnership to the next level, together.”
Peter Barlow and Ross Jamieson will remain onboard as Executive Directors, continuing to lead the business alongside Helloworld New Zealand Executive General Manager Chris Hunter. Continuity counts—and leadership continuity sends all the right signals in this case.
Barlow himself, never one for fanfare, framed the move with the poise of someone who’s seen the highs and lows of the sector. “We’ve partnered with HLO for seven years and always felt aligned in purpose. This step allows us to deepen that connection, access better tools, and serve our clients even more effectively.”
Based in Wellington, with a team 30, Barlow Travel Group has weathered the shifting sands of travel over the last decade with grace—balancing scale with service, global reach with local sensibility. The acquisition is being funded from HLO’s existing cash reserves and will be earnings accretive from FY25 onward, with terms reflecting an FY23 EBITDA multiple of around six times.
Yet beyond the balance sheet, this story is about people—travel professionals who built a business not on volume but on value.
In a time when corporate travel is finding its feet again, this acquisition offers a reassuring reminder: relationships still matter, loyalty still matters, and quiet growth, done the right way, is possible.
For Helloworld, it’s a deepening of presence. For Barlow Travel, it’s the next logical step in a journey built on respect and shared ambition.
Somewhere in Wellington, the lights are still on, and the phones are still ringing. But the future? It’s already boarding.
