TOURVEST DESTINATION MANAGEMENT ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF GOVACATION AFRICA
After many months of meticulous planning, it gives us great pleasure to announce the launch of GoVacation Africa, created out of a strategic partnership between Tourvest Destination Management and DER Touristik.
The new incoming tour operator is an evolution of the historic partnership between Tourvest Destination Management (TDM) and DER Touristik, and is the result of DER Touristik’s global strategy of vertical integration into the destinations they serve in order to consolidate their business into a singular DMC. The brand ‘GoVacation’ has already launched in a number of Asian countries, including Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and (most recently) India.
It is now Africa’s turn.
GoVacation Africa takes root in South Africa, Namibia, Kenya and Tanzania. Its headquarters will be based in Johannesburg, managing the majority of inbound leisure business into these African regions from Dertour, Meiers Weltreisen, ADAC Reisen, ITS/Jahn Reisen, Kuoni UK and Private Safaris Switzerland.
Says CEO of DER Touristik DMC & Hotels, Michael Kimmer: “TDM was the logical partner of choice for this new cooperation due to the long history we share; its size and operational complexity; its significant geographic footprint; its well-established supplier relationships; and its product ownership.”
While TDM will serve GoVacation Africa through its established infrastructure, GoVacation Africa will be staffed by a dedicated team of managers and destination specialists. All related contractual agreements will be finalized and signed by representatives of TDM and DER Touristik within the next days.
Martin Wiest (CEO, TDM) and Michael Kimmer are enthusiastic about the project: “We have created a unique and highly synergistic business that is both future orientated and commercially sustainable. We are very excited about the prospect of potentially expanding into other African destinations.”
Sabine Blehle (CEO, GoVacation Africa) is delighted to be heading up the business, and has been hard at work in the preparations leading up to its launch. “I am so excited to be returning to the world of Inbound DMCs after a 5 year stint in the corporate and government MICE industry. My team and I have worked really hard to ensure that this incredible opportunity is for the overall benefit and success of all stakeholders. I believe that my personal knowledge of the destinations we serve, coupled with an understanding of our clients, will ensure both a seamless transition and future growth.”
