Dear Friends of Leopard
The wheels on the bus…have stopped going “round and round”…
As part of the tourism industry, we had an early indication things were about to rapidly change for our business weeks ahead of the lock-down. As border restrictions around the World increased, our international-based clients became increasingly concerned for the tour groups we had on-board our coaches touring to the remotest of points around New Zealand – would they get out of the country in time?! This coincided with multiple tour group cancellations for the balance of the summer season. With enormous effort from our clients, tour drivers and management team, we bid farewell to the last of our large tour groups two weeks into lock-down. Suffice to say, both the North Island and South Island depots are now full to overflowing with our fleet!
So for Leopard, born out of Canterbury, we feel a bit like we’ve been here before. For my own family and our Christchurch-based bus hire team the emotional roller-coaster has been a bit like déjà vu akin to the February 2011 earthquakes. Back then, during the days and weeks that followed that fateful day, and again now, between feeling utterly stunned (like you’ve been winded), fearful for the future, concerned for your personal and business family, frustrated at the lack of control you have in the situation through to finding a steely determination to rise again!
Like most Kiwi businesses, the assistance of government wage subsidy has allowed us to retain many of our amazing professional tour driving team both in Auckland and Canterbury. We also feel grateful to have such supportive and enthusiastic ITO’s, suppliers, insurers and financiers!
Whilst our business and services have not been considered essential during the Covid-19 lock-down, we were thrilled to be involved in the German Embassy’s repatriation flights providing coach transfers for the Lufthansa air crews in both Auckland and Christchurch.
Ironically this year is also the 50th Anniversary for the company, we certainly never imagined we might be spending it “re-imagining” our business!
With this in mind, we are developing Great New Zealand experiences for small, private group bus tours. Limited in numbers and large in scope, we hope our unique itineraries will offer an authentic way of discovery and a deeper understanding of our country as a destination. We believe the added flexibility a smaller group provides with a private driver-guide, in an environment where contact-tracing, social distancing, personal health and safety are all controlled, will be invaluable in the new World.
As with the Christchurch earthquakes, it’s the Kiwi “can-do” attitude that will see us all through this extremely tough time and whilst personally I cannot wait to “burst the bubble” it’s important we stick together as communities and a country and take advantage of the silver linings. The wheels on the bus will go round and round again soon!
Best Wishes
Brent Early and the Leopard Family