Top 100 CEO Interviews
Issue No. 47 - June/ july
Sealink plans acquisition expansion
Prominent SA tourism enterprise, SeaLink Travel Group continues to grow by acquisition and organic growth, changing course somewhat as the downturn changes its target market.
MD Jeff Ellison, says the Top 100 SA enterprise got a head start on coping with hard times when bushfires hit the firm’s home ground on Kangaroo Island.
“The KI fires in December 2007 and very high fuel costs resulted in a tough year for SeaLink last year,” Jeff says. “As a result we have focused on consolidating and integrating our many businesses and leveraging our business synergies.
“These businesses include our ferry operations, coach touring and charter, outdoor education and adventure travel, Bus Station management, software development, holiday packaging and travel agency retail operations.”
In recent months Sealink has expanded its business by acquiring Premier Stateliner’s day tour business and consolidating it with the Adelaide Sightseeing day tour business; the SkyLink Airport and Railway Station Shuttle service and coach charter business; and facility management of the new Adelaide Central Bus Station.
“The KI fires brought forward our need to focus on our customers and business synergies and helped prepare us for the current economic conditions,” Jeff says.
Sealink continues to market interstate and overseas, but relative spend has changed “significantly”.
“We have maintained our long-term presence abroad but increased spend and activity in Australia,” Jeff says.
“This has driven strong interstate visitation from NSW and especially Victoria, coupled with excellent sales to SA residents.
“Consumers leaving their buying decision to closer to their travel date has also been a strong trend, leading to increased SA advertising and promotion through our trade partners. Customers seeking value propositions have driven strong sales of our Holiday Packages and via our discounted online market. Sealink, a...
