For almost 40 years, Tourism Holdings Ltd (formerly known as The Helicopter Line) has been a fixture in the New Zealand tourism industry, getting its start in the Otago region in the 1980s.
Murray Walker, a Wānaka resident and former employee who headed the company’s accounting department during a period of rapid expansion in the 1990s, said he and four other former employees had been motivated to organise the reunion after reminiscing on their positive experiences working for the company.
"It basically reflects, at least, my personal experience with The Helicopter Line and Tourism Holdings and how good that was in terms of being involved with an innovative tourism company."
Due to the company’s long history stretching across various business units, Mr Walker said the group were casting their net wide for attendees.
"It’s an open invitation. If you’ve worked for Tourism Holdings, you’re most welcome.
"We’re hoping to get people, and we do already have people booked, from most of the divisions of the company.
"We already have 80 people booked, so it’s going well. We’re really pleased with the response that we’ve had."
The event, which will take place overnight at the Holiday Inn Remarkables Park on September 27 and 28, would include a gala dinner, daytime activities such as golf and helicopter flights and opportunities to visit The Helicopter Line and Milford Sound Flights hangars.
Mr Walker said the group were also making an appeal for company memorabilia that could be put on display during the event.
"We’d really be keen on videos, photographs, any items of clothing to help with the reminiscing.
"We’ve got quite a few photographs that have been uploaded."
Initially focused on chartered helicopter flights, The Helicopter Line expanded into areas such as motorhome and vehicle rental, coachlines and even attractions including the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves and Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World aquarium in Auckland.
The company changed its name to Tourism Holdings Ltd in 1996.
In 2007, the company began selling off most of its assets in order to focus on the motorhome rental business, which it continues to operate globally.
Mr Walker said efforts planning the reunion represented about two years worth of work, a task he and his fellow organisers had already proven to be a rewarding experience.
"When you ring someone to talk to them about it, it’s a chance to reminisce. It’s excellent."
Interested parties were encouraged to contact the reunion committee at thlreunion@gmail.com or by searching for the THL/Tourism Holdings - Reunion 2024 on Facebook.
