Tourism Holdings Limited usually called THL and formerly known as The Helicopter Line is a large New Zealand tourism

Tourism

Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...

 company that has been listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange since 1986.

The company began as a scenic helicopter flightseeing businesshttp://www.thlonline.com/AboutTHL/History.aspx and quickly grew by acquiring new businesses and diversifying. In 2007 an extensive asset sale programme began and today the business is much different from its early years.

Sale of Assets

In 2007 THL began to sell off a number of its business units including:

• Milford Sound Red Boatshttp://www.thlonline.com/CentralLibraryDocuments/Corporate/NZX-Announcements/02Sep08%20-%20THL%20Business%20Sales%20-%20Kelly%20Tarltons%20and%20Red%20Boats.pdf
• Kelly Tarltons Antarctic Encounter & Underwater Worldhttp://www.thlonline.com/CentralLibraryDocuments/Corporate/NZX-Announcements/02Sep08%20-%20THL%20Business%20Sales%20-%20Kelly%20Tarltons%20and%20Red%20Boats.pdf
• Great Sights New Zealand and Fullers Bay of Islandshttp://www.thlonline.com/CentralLibraryDocuments/Corporate/NZX-Announcements/07Dec07%20-%20InterCity%20Holdings%20Limited%20Joint%20Venture%20Settlement%20Confirmed.pdf, initially by way of joint venture, which THL exited from
• Johnstons Coachlines, initially by way of joint venture, which THL subsequently exited from
• Its Wholesale Packaging unit

As some of these businesses were sold midway through the THL 2009 financial year, they are referred to as discontinued operations.

2009 Financial Results

On 26 August 2009http://www.thlonline.com/FinancialInvestorInformation/Documents/090826%20-%20NZX%20Release%20THL%20Annual%20Results%20-%2026Aug09.pdf THL announced it had achieved a net profit of $2.9 million in the year ended 30 June. This was a substantial decline on the previous year when a $14.3 million profit had been achieved. THL noted that discontinued operations had made a small profit however continuing operations had made a loss.

New Chief Executive

During the 2009 financial year CEO Trevor Hall resigned from THL. He was replaced by Grant Webster.http://www.thlonline.com/CentralLibraryDocuments/Corporate/NZX-Announcements/10Sep08%20-%20THL%20New%20Chief%20Executive%20Officer.pdf

THL Businesses

Rentals Group: Rental cars and campervan

Campervan

A campervan , sometimes referred to simply as a camper, or a caravanette, is a self-propelled vehicle that provides both transport and sleeping accommodation. The term mainly describes vans that have been fitted out, often with a coachbuilt body for use as accommodation...

s operations under the following brands:

• Maui: Maui has operated in New Zealand for nearly 25 years. Expansion into Australia in the early 1990s saw the fleet increase to meet the needs of their international and domestic customer base. Maui's motorhomes range in size from two to six berths and they also rent cars and four wheel drive vehicles. Maui's slogan is 'spirit of independence'.

• Britz: Britz is one of the market leaders in Australia with a slogan of 'no boundaries'. Customers can select a two, four or six berth campervan and a modern rental car fleet is also available in both New Zealand and Australia.

• Backpacker: The Backpacker brand is aimed at more budget-conscious travellers with a slogan of 'affordable campervans, priceless adventures!'.

• Explore More: The Explore More brand was launched in July 2007 to appeal directly to the lower-cost and youth market segments.

CI Munro (Caravans International Munro): Manufacturer of motor homes, campervans, caravans and other special purpose vehicles for operators such as Pacific Horizon, Union Rentals and THL's own Rentals Group. Located in Hamilton

Hamilton, New Zealand

Hamilton is the centre of New Zealand's fourth largest urban area, and Hamilton City is the country's fourth largest territorial authority. Hamilton is in the Waikato Region of the North Island, approximately south of Auckland...

 but supplying both the New Zealand and Australian markets.

Waitomo Group: Operating tours of Waitomo Caves

Waitomo Caves

The Waitomo Caves are a village and cave system forming a major tourist attraction in the southern Waikato region of the North Island of New Zealand, 12 kilometres northwest of Te Kuiti. The community of Waitomo Caves itself is very small, though the village has many temporary service workers...

, Ruakuri Cave and Aranui Cave, as well as blackwater

Blackwater river

A blackwater river is a river with a deep, slow-moving channel that flows through forested swamps and wetlands. As vegetation decays in the water, tannins are leached out, resulting in transparent, acidic water that is darkly stained, resembling tea or coffee. Most major blackwater rivers are in...

 raft tours in New Zealand's Waitomo region.

Tourism Operations: Manages the youth and budget oriented businesses Kiwi Experience, Feejee Experience & Tourism Transport Fiji.

External links

• thlonline.com THL company website