Chukka Caribbean Adventures recently disclosed its intention to list on the Jamaica Stock Exchange. The news came just as the company reported it will be expanding into two more regional markets as well as improving its service offerings in Jamaica.
Chukka recently issued a $2 billion dual currency bond in order to refinance its debt and fund its expansion. The bond was arranged by Sygnus Capital, who on Wednesday opened its own IPO, and Sagicor Investments Jamaica. The Jamaican dollar portion of the bond has a fixed coupon of 8.50 percent while the U.S. dollar portion has a fixed coupon of 6.50 percent and will mature in five years. There will be a quarterly interest payout on the bond. Chukka currently has a debt of just over 10 per cent and the company is hoping the bond will yield savings of 25 to 30 percent on interest costs.
Chukka is looking to expand its partnership with Carnival Cruise Line whose bigger ports will serve as an advantage to Chukka. Locally, Chukka has been improving its offerings at different locations. The company has adventure tours in St. Lucia, Belize, Turks and Caicos and Jamaica. Chukka Jamaica has seven locations across Jamaica’s North Coast including Negril. In recent times, there has been expansion of a water park, bar and restaurant at its Trelawny location late last year and the addition of a zip line at the Dunn’s River location costing USD$2 million and USD$1 million respectively.
Chukka expressed satisfaction stating that the demand for the bond on the market was high and the interest rate was even more competitive. The company hopes to forge meaningful and beneficial relationships with institutional investors as they continue to explore financing options for growth.
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