Former Federal Treasurer Peter Costello will join the board of Helloworld Travel Ltd (ASX: HLO), the company announced today.
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Deep level of experience
Helloworld said in a statement to the ASX on Tuesday that Mr Costello would join the board on June 1.
The company added:
Mr Costello has an extraordinary amount of experience at government, financial and commercial levels including over 11 years as Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Australia, Chair of the Independent Advisory Board to the World Bank, a decade as Chair of Australia's Future Fund (which he established as Treasurer), Chair of Nine Entertainment Group alongside many other significant roles.
Helloworld Chief Executive Officer Andrew Burnes said he looked forward to working with Mr Costello, who will join as an independent, Non-Executive Director.
Shares looking cheap
Shaw and Partners' most recent update on Helloworld said their analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Overseas Arrivals and Departures data for February 2026 boded well for the company, with Departures up 8.5% for the financial year to that date.
They added:
Preliminary data for March 2026 was quite solid showing departures for the month up 13.2% versus the previous corresponding period. We retain our buy rating on Helloworld with an unchanged price target of $2.80 per share.
Helloworld launched a takeover bid for fellow travel company Webjet Group Ltd (ASX: WJL) in November last year; however, following due diligence, Helloworld did not present a bid that the Webjet board could recommend, and talks ceased in mid-February.
Strong results
In its most recent results for the half year, Helloworld said it had booked total transaction volumes of $2.1 billion for the half, "with strong forward bookings for the remainder of FY26 and well into FY27''.
Mr Burnes said at the time:
Helloworld Travel Limited delivered a solid performance in the first half, underpinned by continued investment in the business. We progressed the expansion of our retail networks, our technology offering and wholesale product range, while further strengthening our core capabilities in air ticketing and consolidation. Helloworld remains the largest network of independent travel agents and brokers across Australia and New Zealand. We continue to leverage our scale, industry expertise and strong partner relationships to drive sustainable long‑term growth. During the period, we completed multiple strategic acquisitions that have contributed positively to the Group's financial performance. We are pleased to report a strong first‑half result and the declaration of a fully franked dividend of 5.0 cents per share.
At the time, the company reiterated its underlying EBITDA guidance of $64 to $72 million.
Helloworld shares were 1.1% higher on Tuesday morning at $1.45. The shares have traded as high as $2.10 and as low as $1.30 over the past 12 months.
The company is valued at $234.9 million.
