AAT Kings aquires VIP Touring

Dear All,

I am pleased to confirm the acquisition of VIP Touring by AAT Kings Pty Ltd.

As part of the family owned company, The Travel Corporation, AAT Kings is committed to the Red Centre and Northern Territory. The Ayers Rock operations for the VIP Touring business will be integrated with AAT Kings from 1 February 2012. AAT Kings has a long history (85+ years) of showcasing Australia with a significant focus on the Northern Territory which dates back to the pioneering days of Bill King and his passion for the Australian outback, developing adventurous tours to the Red Centre and the Northern Territory.

As a business we make a substantial economic contribution to the local community and employ over 400 staff with 120 staff based in the Northern Territory. We have made a significant investment in the Northern Territory including our touring product, coach depots, six retail shops and our Red Centre Coach Connection that runs three daily services (365 days a year) from Alice Springs, Kings Canyon, and Uluru. We see the region as an integral part of our business and we will continue to offer services in day touring, extending touring and language touring into the future. We will be providing our full support to the clients, agent partners and staff of VIP Touring during this transition. The VIP Touring contracted rates through to 31 March 2012 will be honoured by AAT Kings and any existing bookings will be re-booked and re-confirmed by AAT Kings. A further release will be sent shortly in regards to 2012/13 season contracted rates and products. Should you have any questions regarding your bookings, please don't hesitate to contact a member of our team. You will find contact details for the relevant AAT Kings departments below. We look forward to working with you in promoting and selling the Red Centre.

Yours faithfully,

Tammy Marshall
Managing Director
AAT Kings

Japanese Touring

All existing VIP Touring bookings will be rebooked and reconfirmed by AAT Kings Inbound Reservations. Itinerary sequence will not change. The afternoon touring to Kata Tjuta and Uluru Sunset will include both Walpa Gorge and Valley of the Winds walks.

Foreign Language Touring

All existing VIP Touring bookings will be rebooked and reconfirmed by AAT Kings Inbound Reservations.

Passengers travelling on seat-in-coach basis will experience all the same inclusions. The order of touring will change. The Kata Tjuta – Walpa Gorge touring will be part of the afternoon tour including Ayers Rock Sunset. The Uluru Base Tour will be part of the morning touring following sunrise.

Charter

All existing VIP Touring bookings will be rebooked and reconfirmed by AAT Kings Coach Company.