Who Owns Cathay. SA/Catai Tours Company?

Cathay. SA/Catai Tours Bundle

Get Full Bundle:

	BCG	$15	$10
	5 FORCES	$15	$10
	CANVAS	$15	$10
	4P's MIX	$15	$10
	PESTLE	$15	$10
	SWOT	$15	$10

TOTAL:

ADD TO CART

Who Owns Cathay. SA/Catai Tours Company?

Understanding company ownership is key to grasping its market strategy and accountability. In the travel sector, ownership changes can significantly alter a company's competitive stance. A major shift for Catai Tours, a Spanish tour operator, was its 2016 acquisition by Grupo Barceló.

This acquisition integrated Catai Tours into Ávoris Corporación Empresarial, the travel arm of Grupo Barceló. Catai Tours, founded in 1981, has a history of pioneering extensive and personalized travel experiences across five continents.

The company, originally Viajes Catai, has served over 2 million passengers. As of 2025, it remains a key brand within Ávoris Corporación Empresarial, recognized for its high-value offerings and customized itineraries. This evolution highlights significant ownership shifts, from its founders' initial stakes to its current position within a larger travel conglomerate, impacting its market presence and strategic direction.

Catai Tours, initially known as Viajes Catai, was established in 1981 by Matilde Torres. Her vision was to create a leading long-distance travel company that would pioneer the Asian market for Spanish travelers. While the precise initial equity distribution is not publicly documented, Matilde Torres remained the central figure and director-general until her passing in 2012.

Founding Vision

Matilde Torres founded Catai Tours with the ambition to open up the Asian market to Spanish tourists. She aimed to establish the company as a leader in long-distance travel.

Early Backers

Key early contributors included co-founding partners Blanca García and Isabel Torres. Pierre Pontico also played a role in the company's directorship.

Corpfin Capital Partnership

In 2007, Corpfin Capital invested, acquiring a 50% stake through an Owner Buy-Out. This allowed Matilde Torres to continue leading the company and maintain its independent operational strategy.

Matilde Torres's Leadership

Matilde Torres was the driving force behind Catai Tours and served as its director-general until her death in 2012. She successfully navigated acquisition offers to preserve the company's direction.

Family Succession

Following Matilde Torres's passing, her children, Laura Fernández Torres and Germán Fernández Torres, took over as general directors. They had been shareholders since 2003 and board members since 2007.

Continuity of Vision

The transition to the next generation of leadership was designed to ensure the continuity of the company's established vision and operational practices.

The ownership structure of Catai Tours has evolved since its founding. Matilde Torres was the primary founder and leader, with early support from individuals like Blanca García, Isabel Torres, and Pierre Pontico. A significant shift occurred in 2007 when Corpfin Capital acquired a 50% stake, indicating a financial partnership that supported the company's continued independence. Upon Matilde Torres's death in 2012, her children, Laura Fernández Torres and Germán Fernández Torres, assumed leadership roles, having been involved as shareholders and board members prior to this transition. This family succession aimed to maintain the company's strategic direction. Understanding the Competitors Landscape of Cathay. SA/Catai Tours can provide further context on its market positioning.

Cathay. SA/Catai Tours SWOT Analysis

• Complete SWOT Breakdown
• Fully Customizable
• Editable in Excel & Word
• Professional Formatting
• Investor-Ready Format

GET TEMPLATE ➔

The ownership of Catai Tours has seen a significant shift, culminating in its integration into a larger travel conglomerate. This evolution impacts understanding who owns Cathay SA and its operational structure.

Grupo Barceló is the current majority shareholder of Catai Tours, holding 100% ownership of Ávoris Corporación Empresarial, the entity that now encompasses Catai Tours. This consolidation places Catai Tours within a broad travel ecosystem managed by Ávoris, which operates numerous specialized brands across various travel sectors.

Grupo Barceló's Strategic Position

Grupo Barceló's strategic acquisition and integration of Catai Tours underscore its ambition to lead the travel industry. This move has solidified its presence in the Spanish and Portuguese markets.

• Grupo Barceló acquired Catai Tours in 2016.
• Catai Tours is now part of Ávoris Corporación Empresarial.
• Grupo Barceló holds 100% ownership of Ávoris.
• Ávoris is a comprehensive travel ecosystem with over thirty brands.
• Grupo Barceló projected a business volume of 5.5 billion euros in 2023.
• Ávoris contributed approximately 3.5 billion euros to this volume.
• Ávoris targets an EBITDA of 80 million euros in 2025.
• Ávoris projects a turnover of 4.8 billion euros in 2025.
• In 2024, Ávoris reported a turnover of 4.4 billion euros and an EBITDA of 46 million euros.

The financial performance and future projections of Ávoris highlight the substantial backing and strategic importance of Catai Tours within the larger Grupo Barceló structure. Understanding the Mission, Vision & Core Values of Cathay. SA/Catai Tours provides further context to its operational direction under this ownership. The current ownership structure confirms that Grupo Barceló is the ultimate owner, with Ávoris acting as the direct operational entity managing Catai Tours and its diverse portfolio of travel services.

Cathay. SA/Catai Tours PESTLE Analysis

• Covers All 6 PESTLE Categories
• No Research Needed – Save Hours of Work
• Built by Experts, Trusted by Consultants
• Instant Download, Ready to Use
• 100% Editable, Fully Customizable

GET TEMPLATE ➔

As a brand operating under Ávoris Corporación Empresarial, the board of directors and voting power for Catai Tours are intrinsically linked to its parent company, Grupo Barceló. The Barceló family, now in its third generation, holds the ultimate control and ownership of Grupo Barceló, which in turn governs Ávoris.

The governance structure for Catai Tours is integrated within Ávoris Corporación Empresarial, with Raúl Serrano serving as the General Director for Catai. Key management figures also include Amaya Hernangómez and Pilar Nieto. While specific board representation for Catai within Ávoris is not publicly detailed, strategic and operational decisions are made within the overarching corporate framework of Ávoris. Ávoris, as a wholly owned subsidiary of Grupo Barceló, operates as a privately held entity. This means its voting structure is consolidated under the ownership of Grupo Barceló, eliminating the complexities of dual-class shares or proxy battles common in publicly traded companies. The company's commitment to transparency is evident through its portal, updated as of February 2025, which provides insights into its social purpose, regulatory adherence, audited accounts, and public contracts, reflecting a clear and open management approach aligned with the strategic objectives of the Barceló Group.

Understanding Catai Tours's Ownership and Governance

Catai Tours functions as a brand within Ávoris Corporación Empresarial, which is wholly owned by Grupo Barceló. The Barceló family exercises ultimate control through Grupo Barceló.

• Catai Tours's operational and strategic decisions are made within the framework of Ávoris's corporate governance.
• Grupo Barceló, owned by the Barceló family, is the ultimate controlling entity.
• Ávoris Corporación Empresarial is a privately held company, ensuring consolidated voting power under Grupo Barceló.
• The transparency portal, updated in February 2025, underscores the company's commitment to open management practices.
• Key figures in Catai's management include Raúl Serrano, Amaya Hernangómez, and Pilar Nieto.

Cathay. SA/Catai Tours Business Model Canvas

• Complete 9-Block Business Model Canvas
• Effortlessly Communicate Your Business Strategy
• Investor-Ready BMC Format
• 100% Editable and Customizable
• Clear and Structured Layout

GET TEMPLATE ➔

Recent years have seen significant consolidation and strategic realignments within the Spanish tourism sector, directly impacting the ownership landscape of Catai Tours. The company is now fully integrated into Ávoris Corporación Empresarial, a move that solidified its position within a larger, powerful entity.

Grupo Barceló's complete acquisition of Ávoris Corporación Empresarial in late 2022 marked a pivotal moment, establishing them as the sole owner and significantly strengthening their presence in the tourism industry. This consolidation has allowed Ávoris, and by extension Catai, to pursue ambitious growth and innovation strategies. Catai itself has been at the forefront of these efforts, with a brand image refresh in February 2023 aiming to portray an emotional, unique, and innovative identity. Further demonstrating this evolution, Catai launched 'Catai Selección' in September 2024, a premium catalog designed for discerning travelers, redefining the concept of curated travel experiences.

International Expansion Initiatives

Catai is actively expanding its global footprint. An entry into Colombia is planned for July 2025 through a partnership with Aviatur Agencia de Viajes. Additionally, Ávoris is increasing Catai's presence in Italy, a move also announced for July 2025.

Strategic Partnerships and Growth Targets

Industry trends favor consolidation, and Ávoris is actively exploring alliances and acquisitions. A notable example is the expanded strategic partnership with BCD Travel in Portugal in December 2023. Ávoris projects a turnover of 4.8 billion euros for 2025, with an EBITDA target of 80 million euros, a substantial increase from 46 million euros in 2024.

Ownership Structure Clarity

The ownership of Catai Tours is clear: it operates as a key brand under Ávoris Corporación Empresarial, which is entirely owned by Grupo Barceló. This structure provides a stable foundation for Catai's operations and future development.

Understanding Cathay SA Ownership

For those seeking to understand who owns Cathay SA, the company structure points to Ávoris Corporación Empresarial as the direct owner, with Grupo Barceló as the ultimate parent company. This information is crucial for understanding the broader Marketing Strategy of Cathay. SA/Catai Tours.

Cathay. SA/Catai Tours Porter's Five Forces Analysis

• Covers All 5 Competitive Forces in Detail
• Structured for Consultants, Students, and Founders
• 100% Editable in Microsoft Word & Excel
• Instant Digital Download – Use Immediately
• Compatible with Mac & PC – Fully Unlocked

GET TEMPLATE ➔