Founders of Maui gutted Aussies taking over

MEDIA STATEMENT
Wednesday, 06 June 2007

Kiwi founders of Maui campervans gutted Aussies taking over

The Kiwi founders of Maui Campervans are dismayed Tourism Holdings Limited (THL) is entertaining MFS Leisure and Lifestyle’s $2.80 a share bid.

The eldest son of the Alpe family, Tim Alpe, spent his formative years washing the family’s Maui campervans after school and now owns a successful second tier vehicle and campervan company - Jucy Rentals (formerly Ezy Rentals).

Tim Alpe, Chief Executive of Jucy Rentals, says he is shocked New Zealand’s largest tourism operator is considering selling to an overseas company especially when the outlook for the tourism industry is bright with the Rugby World Cup and maybe even the return of the America’s Cup.

“It’s a real blow to the New Zealand tourism industry.

“Losing the biggest tourism operator, the guardians of some of our most precious assets for brand New Zealand, to foreign ownership is disappointing and seems to be an unfortunate trend in many industries,” he says.

Mr Alpe cautions there is much at stake if iconic brands like Maui, Waitomo Caves, Milford Sound Red Boats and Kelly Tarltons drift into foreign ownership.

“The consequences of THL selling to foreign owners are far-reaching and would affect supporting industries to the tourism sector such as financial services – banking and insurance, hospitality and tertiary training.

“As a New Zealander that has spent my whole life living and breathing tourism I’m extremely disappointed. I mean how do you say KiaOra with an Aussie accent?

“My father grew the Maui campervan business for more than a decade and carefully chose his suitors when it was time to sell.

“To discover that the safe pair of hands he chose for our family enterprise could disappear into foreign ownership is heart-breaking.

“For our part, Jucy Rentals is committed to New Zealand and hopes to list on the NZX in the near future,” says Mr Alpe.

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