Ryan Sanders - PATA Young Tourism Entrepreneur

Ryan Sanders had no experience in tourism but that didn’t stop him from following his dream and creating Haka Tours, an adrenaline fuelled adventure tour business with a focus on small groups, personalised service and jam-packed itineraries.

The winner of the 2010 PATA Young Tourism Entrepreneur Award in the 2010 Tourism Industry Awards, Ryan started developing the business plan for Haka Tours while working in the UK. He’d originally wanted to be a professional rugby player, but when injury put paid to that he took on a  corporate job.

However at the back of his mind was a dream which wouldn’t go away, of returning home to New Zealand to start an adventure tour company highlighting his favourite locations and activities.

“I developed a comprehensive business plan and competitive analysis with the initial thought that I would find the business model unfeasible and could finally let the dream go. However, as the plan progressed I identified a gap in the market that I could fill.”

After 18 months of planning, Haka Tours launched in mid-2007. A full-time tour manager was hired while Ryan managed the back-end of the company from the UK, returning to New Zealand the following year when he had the confidence to leave his well-paid corporate job.

Based out of Christchurch, Haka Tours focuses on affordable, flexible and action packed adventure experiences and snow tours throughout New Zealand.  Customers can pre-book a range of activities and upgrade options online to customise their tour.

Social media and video marketing campaigns are used to cost-effectively market the business internationally. To launch in the UK Ryan used social media website YouTube, conducting a UK wide search for “Britain’s Craziest Student” via online video entries. The prize was two tours and return flights from the UK.

“We toured UK universities and videotaped live entries while collating an extensive database. The competition generated good media coverage and resulted in our strong entry into the UK market and 50% of bookings in the first six months of business.”

Haka Tours now employs eight staff with annual turnover in excess of $1 million. Earlier this year Ryan purchased “Haka Lodge”, a 10 bedroom lodge in Christchurch, the first of several he plans to open across New Zealand.

“Sitting in my corporate office four years ago in the UK, I would never have dreamed of winning this Award. Making the move back to New Zealand and into the tourism industry has been the best decision I have ever made and one that has made my working life an absolute pleasure!”

www.hakatours.com

As the winner of the 2010 PATA Young Tourism Entrepreneur Award, Ryan received a grant of $3000 towards his career development and free entry to an ATTTO training programme.