Tourvest, the Southern Hemisphere's largest tourism group based out of Johannesburg have recently announced their plans for expansion in the UK & European sports travel market.
The company recently acquired AKA Sports & Events, one of the largest suppliers of accommodation and logistics to the World's leading Sports tour operators.
They will now integrate the company alongside TEAM – DM, their sports destination management division with offices in Rio, Moscow, Lisbon, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Paris & London.
To further their growth across Europe Alan Kotz, founder of AKA will move to the role of Executive Chairman and Danny Talbot joins the company as Managing Director of AKA & TEAM-DM, UK.
Talbot, previously Managing Director at Thomas Cook Sport & Kempster ,said "I am thrilled to be joining the Tourvest Group during this very exciting period of growth.
AKA & TEAM-DM are both leaders in their field providing agencies, brands, tour operators and clients with services and sports packages across the world at all of the major sporting events.
We have ambitious plans to increase our foothold in these markets and cement our place as one of the largest suppliers of travel services to the sport industry".
Martin Wiest, CEO of Tourvest Destination Management said "From a Tourvest Destination Management perspective our investment in growing our business in Europe through AKA and with the future involvement of Danny is aligned to the focus on Sports Destination Management services future proving our overall business model in a global fashion. Consequently we are excited both about our acquisition of AKA and our employment of Danny Talbot".
Notes:
TOURVEST
http://www.tourvest.co.za
Southern Africa’s number one tourism group, offering a range of products and services that encompass the needs of all visitors to Southern Africa.
•Listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in April 1997.
•Operates businesses which range from travel management companies through souvenir shops to foreign exchange bureau.
•Comprises 67 sector leading brands, employing more than 4 000 people.
•Acquired by a Black Economic Empowerment led consortium in 2008, and delisted. It is now black-owned.
•Is a proudly South African company with a global presence spanning East and West Africa, South America, Europe, the UK, and the Caribbean.
•Formed a joint initiative with the South African Rugby Union – SA Rugby Travel – with exclusive rights to sell Rugby World Cup 2015 ticket & travel packages in the region
TEAM-DM
http://www.team-dm.com
TEAM-DM is a global, full service destination management company focused on the provision & management of all ground handling services around large sporting events.
Working alongside agencies and their brands the company has been involved in all of the major tournaments covering Football, Cricket, Rugby & Olympics since 1995.
AKA Sports Events
http://www.akaleisure.com
Founded in 1998, AKA Sport & Events provide travel, logistic and destination management services to the sports industry. These include hotel accommodation, transportation, ticketing and event hospitality packages.
We service the travel trade, commercial organisations, professional sports teams, sports federations, companies & private individuals all over the world.