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BUSINESS REFERENCE : CO073 / RightBiz TOUR OPERATOR SPECIALISING IN SKIING AND ACTIVITY HOLIDAYS | | | | | | Tour Operator Specialising in Skiing and Activity Holidays Confidentially offered for sale Ref No:CO073 Location: North Wales & Switzerland Asking price: O.I.R.O. £350,000 | | | BUSINESS LOCATION: | Undisclosed Relocatable UNITED KINGDOM | | BUSINESS SECTOR: | Services | | TRADE TYPE: | Travel Agencies | | SALE: | Agent Sale | LEASEHOLD: | £350000 | | | | | | | | | | | BUSINESS DETAILS: | Business Profile:
This business was set up by the current vendor some 10 years ago and specialises in the provision of skiing and activity holidays to the general public. In that time the business has built up an excellent reputation for providing its clients with superb holiday experiences. This is achieved though extremely high levels of personal service and market knowledge.
As part of this the company features holidays in many of the world –reknowned ski resorts located in The French Alps, Switzerland, Norway, Austria, Italy and the USA. Services can include a complete turnkey holiday solution including accommodation, flights, transfers, ski and equipment hire(the company has its own ski hire facility in Champery), lift passes, ski guiding and instruction.
The business offers a wide selection of comfortable family run hotels as well as their own chalets,all of which are beautifully maintained and ideally located for both the skiing, biking and local ammenities. Chalets offer a friendly and informal alternative to the usual package holiday as well as giving great value for money . As well as offering superb accomodation (each chalet has sauna and hot tub!) the company ensures all customers are well fed and watered whilst on holiday with breakfast and 4 course evening meal provided. Special dietary requests are also catered for.
In addition to the chalet accommodation(the business has leases on 5 large complexes in Champery and Morzine with access to many more) the business has just recently aquired a superb 4 star chalet style hotel on a 15 year lease. This is the only acomodation of its kind in the area and can boast superb facilities. It is expected to have a truly positive impact on the future trading of this business.
Equipment:
The business has its own bespoke booking system that was developed for the business. In addition to this it has a large stock of skis, boots, mountain bikes and apparel available to hire(circa £75,000). This equipment is included within the sale price.
Customer Service:
Customer service is what this business has been built on. The company prides itself on taking every little detail into account when building holiday packages for clients. This is demonstrated by the fact the business enjoys very high levels (75%) of repeat business and referrals via satisfied clients. This is further supported through the company’s membership to The Travel Trust Association and the fact it is ATOL protected.
Key Strengths:
As already mentioned this business enjoys phenomenal levels of repeat business. It’s reputation is first class. This has been built by ensuring it provides holiday experiences that are well organised, competitively priced, memorable and above all fun! It has also put in place an excellent infrastructure in terms of accommodation, equipment, staff and service. Because of this the business has a loyal customer base of some 4000 historical clients located across many European countries. The company also enjoys very lucrative commission rates from many of the partners it works with.
Growth and Expansion:
The potential for this business is huge. It is truly scaleable. The business has just recently taken on a unique 4 star chalet style hotel that becomes operational in September 2008. This 15 year lease will provide additional turnover and revenues and maintain the business’s already impressive growth pattern. The hotel is based right in the heart of Les Portes du Soleil , the world’s largest international ski area. It will enable a new owner to target the Corporate sector should they so wish, an area the current owners have yet to develop. In addition to this the company is currently running a National advertising campaign and this is expected to fuel further demand for its products and services not only from UK clients but from its many dealings abroad. The business has also set up an office within the hotel.
Key Opportunities:
Whilst the business has a website it would benefit from further development to incorporate online bookings, payments and the like. It would also benefit from further investment in terms of resource and properties.
Opportunities also exist outside the traditional ski-related clientele you would usually associate with the areas this business serves so well. The mountain bike market has really started to take off, particularly within the Champery area of Switzerland where this company has a base. With its picture post card scenery, lifts, ample trails and bike parks the business is ideally positioned to service the increased demand for activity holidays within this area, whether it be skiing, biking, climbing or walking.
Employees:
UK Switzerland
1- Operations Director - Operations Manager
2- Office Administrators -Seasonal Staff*
Seasonal staff number approx 30 –December to April. Personnel include Ski Instructors, Ski Guides, Chefs, Drivers, Cleaners etc. This number falls to approx 6 from June to November. All above staff are full time.
Advertising and Marketing:
The company has a good suite of literature including up to date brochure, regular newsletter ( goes to 10,000 clients on the mailing list) as well as an informative website. The company has also undertaken a highly effective advertising campaign in the National Press.
Premises:
UK- business operates from freehold premises in North Wales. The retail operation is situated on the main high street with good frontage and public parking close by. The unit comprises ground floor offices circa 350 square feet with toilets and small kitchen. There is a 2 bedroom flat on the first floor that is currently rented out on a short term tenancy. Rent received is £400/month. Current market value is circa £200,000 and this is excluded from the asking price. However should a buyer wish to aquire the freehold or lease it for that matter the vendor is happy to accommodate this. This business is truly relocatable
Switzerland- the business has small rented administration offices within Champery which is situated just over one hour away from Geneva airport. It has also set up a office within the new hotel complex it has leased which is right in the heart of Les Portes du Soleil giving it superb visibility and access to clients.
Financial Information:
The business is being offered for sale on a going concern basis, all financial discussions will take place directly between the vendor and all interested parties under the auspices of Turner Butler.
This business is well established with 10 years trading history and an ongoing growth pattern. With a strong demand for services combined with a capacity to increase turnover, a new owner contributing new energy levels and fresh ideas will have every advantage of building on this respected business.
Current turnover for the uk operation is in excess of £900,000. Gross Profit in the region of 21%. The Swiss operation is achieving turnover of circa 600,000 Swiss Francs returning gross profits of circa 25%.
Reason for Sale:
The vendor wishes to develop their other business opportunities.
Support and Training
The owner will provide full business familiarisation, training and handover as required to ensure a smooth transfer of the business to new owners | | | | | | FOR SALE | | | | | SELLER: | TURNER BUTLER | | CONTACT: | 01895 25 6000 | | REFERENCE: | CO073 / RightBiz | | ENQUIRIES: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
