THE acquisition of the transport assets from Tourism Investment Corporation Limited (Tourvest) by Unitrans Passengers - a division of Unitrans Limited - has resulted in the forging of a close working relationship between the two companies and strengthens both parties' commitment to the growth of the tourism industry.
This is the view expressed by both Tourvest's group financial director, Ian Hay and Nico Boshoff, Unitrans Passengers' managing director.
Hay told Travel Now that Unitrans Passengers had acquired the vehicle assets of Flexi Wheels - a national operator of medium and small luxury touring vehicles - and the national airport transfer service, Magic Bus, from Tourvest's Welcome Tours group for R15m.
"It made sense for us to hand over to a company which focuses primarily on vehicle operations, freeing us to concentrate on bringing the tourists into the country," said Hay.
He added that Tourvest had signed a long-term vehicle supply agreement with Unitrans which basically stated that Welcome Tours would use the company's wide range of vehicles for all its vehicle charter and scheduled tour vehicle needs.
Unitrans Passengers, in addition to Flexi Wheels and Magic Bus, incorporates the intercity Greyhound and Megabuses and the Mega Coach division (used for charters).
"This strategic partnership will cement Unitrans Passengers' position as a preferred vehicle supplier," adds Boshoff.
He says the Tourvest staff complement in these two divisions, has been incorporated into Unitrans, enabling the Passenger division to extend its Mega Coach activities to the inbound market sector.
According to him, the company is currently exploring "additional synergies" with Tourvest.
(Adéle Mackenzie)
