SINGAPORE’S CapitaLand Investment (CLI) is in advanced talks to buy a minority stake in French luxury resort chain Club Med from its Chinese owner Fosun International, according to sources with knowledge of the matter.
The real estate investment firm, part of Temasek Holdings-owned conglomerate CapitaLand Group, is seeking to acquire from 20 to 30 per cent in the hotelier for several hundred million euros, the sources said, asking not to be identified because the information is private.
The Singaporean firm has emerged as the likeliest buyer for the stake after outbidding other rivals including private equity firms, the sources added.
Talks are still ongoing and no final decisions have been made, the sources revealed.
Fosun International has stepped up efforts to lower its debt burden, including asset disposal and reduced borrowing. Progress on that front has helped it become one of the few Chinese conglomerates to witness a recovery in global investor confidence in recent years.
Fosun, backed by billionaire Guo Guangchang, owns Club Med through its listed leisure arm Fosun Tourism Group. Club Med is known for its all-inclusive resorts offering a range of leisure activities from fine dining and massages to yoga, scuba diving, and baby gym classes.
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It operates over 60 resorts globally in destinations including the French Alps and the Maldives.
CLI, which was listed in late-2021 as part of a major restructuring at CapitaLand Group, has been facing market pressure over its sizeable investments in China, which is experiencing a major property downturn.
CapitaLand Group is owned by Singapore state investor Temasek, which also holds a majority stake in the investment arm.
A representative for CLI and Fosun Tourism declined to comment, while Fosun International did not immediately respond to requests seeking comment. BLOOMBERG
