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Young Kiwi Making Waves in Central England

Company website: www.hakatours.com

Young Kiwi Making Waves in Central England

Haka Tours is a new company offering low cost adventure tours to New Zealand. Director, Ryan Sanders who has been based in the UK for the last 6 years, has been selected to take part in the U.K’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.

Ryan initially moved to the U.K to play professional rugby, though a snapped achilles at the start of a lucrative 2 year contact in Scotland put an end to his on-field aspirations. Before leaving for the U.K, he gained an honours degree at Canterbury University in Industrial Psychology and was able to secure a role in HR with a global bank after retiring early from rugby. He was promoted three times in 3 years to the role of Volume Recruitment Manager, managing up to 30 staff, the majority being managers.

Corporate life quickly became tiresome and boring and after 12mths of intense planning and saving, Haka Tours was born. When asked about his motivation to leave a promising career behind and move into adventure tourism, Ryan stated, “After being away from home for so long, I realised what a truly amazing place New Zealand is. I am really passionate about travelling and have always taken full advantage of the great beaches and mountains we have. My first company was always going to combine these passions and Haka Tours is the result!”

Ryan’s uncle is also a successful businessman owing the “Just £2” stores which are a firm family favourite across the South Island. “Seeing someone close to you build a very successful business from the ground up is also a great motivator. I am a lot of respect for my uncle and in many ways, having a tangible figure such as him to inspire to, gave me further impetuous to achieve”.

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Haka Tours is currently being advertised on Extreme Sports Channel throughout the UK and Europe, advertising New Zealand as the number one adventure activity playground. Alongside this, sponsorship has been secured at the Le Mans 24hours race with the premier of all car racing teams. Look out for the “text haka” sticker emblazoned on the most legendary of vehicle manufactures! (The car manufacturer is Ferrari. I am unable to disclose this information just yet). Haka Tours has gone into partnership with a major American communications company to trial “text marketing” which is a medium not utilised in the states. When asked about this venture, Ryan stated, “This was a big win for me. The biggest thing I have learnt since building my own company is the huge emotional roller coaster than you experience. No text book can prepare you for this. Securing a deal such as this one is an amazing high and compensates for those hard days in a big way!

With 10 tours planned from June this to the end of the year, Haka Tours is set to become a major player in New Zealand’s tourism industry.

ENDS

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