YHA New Zealand Purchases 5-Star Rotorua Property, Treks Backpackers
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YHA New Zealand Purchases 5-Star Rotorua Property, Treks Backpackers
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Category: Africa Indian Ocean - New Zealand - Industry economy
- Group or hotel buyout
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2008-11-21
YHA New Zealand has concluded a purchase agreement with Treks Backpackers founders and owners the Scapens family for the purchase of the site and business. It is a deal which opens the way for YHA to manage its own presence in Rotorua for the first time since 1999.
The management handover will be effective from 17 November 2008. Until this time, all YHA bookings, regardless of arrival date, are to be booked into KiwiPaka YHA Rotorua. However, from the 17 November, the licensing arrangement between YHA New Zealand and KiwiPaka Rotorua will cease.
YHA New Zealand CEO, Mark Wells says, "We're delighted to have reached a deal with Bill. Treks is possibly the best backpackers in New Zealand and we hope to build on the excellent operation that has been established by Bill, his family and staff."
The Scapens family opened Treks in 2005, having first admired the way YHA builds and runs successful backpackers. He says, "I wanted to get Treks operating at a national level, and selling to YHA gets the business out on a national stage where it can really prove itself."
All staff are being retained by YHA New Zealand, including Manager, Haylee Bloor. Haylee has worked in a number of Rotorua tourism roles and is well known in the backpacking and adventure sectors.
Wells says, "It's an exciting time for us. Two years ago we had no direct representation in the central North Island and our purchase of Treks complements our takeover of Action Downunder Backpackers in Taupo last year. We're now in a better position to feed hostels within our network and to maintain the highest levels of guest experience. Treks' high quality FIT and group's facilities also enable us to more actively market Rotorua, particularly to domestic groups who already have a lot of trust in the YHA brand."
The purchase takes place in the context of a wider network development plan by YHA New Zealand, in which it will continue to look for further strategic acquisition or expansion opportunities.
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