TRAVELLERS TALES

CEO Luke Trouchet (pictured) says the appreciation of the Australian currency in the company’s key markets reduced the attractiveness of Australia and New Zealand as a holiday destination for travellers.

“Despite this, we’ve seen a significant increase in domestic travel, which has made up for this shortfall. In regard to our international markets, it’s been a challenging year although our overall revenue was up, largely driven by our US operations, which have received a revenue increase of over 50 per cent,” he says.

“Across Australia and New Zealand, tourism numbers have been down in the wake of the significant events over the past year, but in the short term, the tourism market will be sensitive to consumer confidence and exchange rate movements. Having said that, there are opportunities in the domestic travel market.

“There are always opportunities for innovative companies, so we will continue to design, manufacture, rent and sell intelligently designed vehicles for our fleet. In 2012, we also plan on launching three new vehicles, including the first Motorhome in the Australian rental market to have a slide out panel, maximising internal space by almost 20 per cent.”

Trouchet, who founded the company alongside brother Karl in 1985, says it is well equipped to manage the impact the global economy is having on the tourism industry.

“We have tools for managing this in the medium term, including altering the size and make up of the fleet and utilising our dynamic flex rates,” he says.

Apollo Motorhomes joined forces with renowned car rental company Hertz in 2011 to provide customers with access to rental cars, alongside Apollo’s range of campervans and motorhomes.