Helloworld completes 100% acquisition of Crown Currency Exchange
Helloworld Travel Limited (ASX: HLO) has completed its 100% acquisition of Crown Currency Exchange (CCE), with an effective date of completion of 30 October 2026. The deal adds a currency exchange business to the HLO Group.
The CCE head office team and personnel across its retail network join the HLO Group. Emily Palermo and Greg Woolley will remain in their respective roles as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, which signals continuity of leadership at CCE.
With the transaction complete, the integration phase begins.
Key facts at a glance:
- Acquirer: Helloworld Travel Limited (ASX: HLO)
- Target: Crown Currency Exchange (CCE)
- Stake acquired: 100%
- Effective date of completion: 30 October 2026
- Leadership: Emily Palermo (Chief Executive Officer) and Greg Woolley (Chairman) remain in their roles
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Why the deal fits Helloworld’s retail footprint
Expanding currency exchange through Australian and New Zealand networks
HLO sees the acquisition as an opportunity to expand the service offering through its retail networks across Australia and New Zealand. Andrew Burnes AO, HLO Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, described CCE as a “highly complementary business”.
The scale of those networks is set out in the announcement. Helloworld businesses have over 900 personnel located in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Greece, and approximately 2,600 members of its travel agency and broker networks in Australia and New Zealand.
Management points to that retail reach as the route to expanding the CCE footprint and its currency exchange offering.
The completion follows the earlier binding agreement to acquire CCE, which set out the $135 million consideration, the funding structure and the 68-store footprint now joining the HLO Group.
Management commentary
Greg Woolley, Chairman of CCE, pointed to the opportunity presented by Helloworld’s retail networks.
Greg Woolley, Chairman of CCE
“The synergies and opportunities that the combination of these businesses presents are extensive. Particularly exciting is the opportunity to leverage Helloworld’s extensive retail networks to expand the CCE footprint and currency exchange offering.”
Andrew Burnes AO addressed the incoming CCE team and the wider service offering.
Andrew Burnes AO, HLO Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director
“We are delighted to be adding this highly complementary business to our operations, and welcome into the HLO Group the CCE head office team and personnel across its retail network. The acquisition of CCE will provide us with the opportunity to expand the service offering through our retail networks across Australia and New Zealand.”
Understanding currency exchange in a travel business
Currency exchange is the swapping of one country’s money for another’s. Travellers heading overseas typically need local currency for spending abroad, which makes it a natural add-on to a trip booking.
Helloworld describes itself as a travel distribution company, with retail leisure and business travel networks. Offering a travel-related service such as currency exchange through those existing networks can broaden the range of services available to customers.
The announcement does not give financial projections for CCE, so the strategic rationale rests on management’s description of the opportunity.
What the completion means for HLO investors
The completion is strategic in nature. HLO has added a business to the HLO Group, expects to expand its service offering through its retail networks, and has retained CCE’s existing leadership.
Helloworld describes itself as a leading Australian and New Zealand travel distribution company. Its business spans:
- Retail leisure and business travel networks
- Travel broker networks
- Destination management services (inbound)
- Air ticket consolidation
- Tourism transport operations
- Wholesale travel services, including event packaging and online operations
The synergies and expansion opportunities are those described by management, including Woolley’s reference to the opportunity to expand the CCE footprint and currency exchange offering. No financial terms were provided with the completion announcement.
Helloworld’s FY27 EBITDA guidance of $78m-$84m includes a $14 million contribution from CCE, which gives investors a management-stated marker for what the acquisition is expected to add.
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