R.Tucker Thompson and Fullers Bay of Islands form new partnership

Release Date: Friday September 12th, 2008

Fullers Bay of Islands and R. Tucker Thompson, the iconic Northland based tall ship, are forming a new partnership, which will see R. Tucker Thompson cruises return to being part of the Fullers maritime stable.

The agreement will see the R. Tucker Thompson retain its own identity and branding, but its tourism products will be sold through the Fullers Bay of Islands Maritime Centre and InterCity Group distribution networks, ensuring that the Ship will once again have wider exposure to the national and international tourist markets.

Trustees for the R. Tucker Thompson have welcomed the move as it enables the trust to focus more resources on its winter youth sailing training programmes.

According to R. Tucker Thompson Executive Trustee, Jane Hindle, the partnership provides the Trust with the best of both worlds. "The rekindling of our partnership with Fullers Bay of Islands allows the Trust to once again benefit from the market position that Fullers enjoys while at the same time ensuring that we retain our day-to-day independence."

Daniel Rode, Sales and Marketing Manager for InterCity Group, Fullers Bay of Islands parent company, is also looking forward to the re-introduction of the R. Tucker Thompson into the Fullers Bay of Islands fleet.

According to Rode: "The R. Tucker Thompson is a beautiful ship and we are extremely pleased to be working with the Trust to provide both our domestic and international customers with greater access to this fantastic product. Northland is an extremely important market to InterCity Group and we are always looking for ways to build upon our product offering. The introduction of the R. Tucker Thompson into our maritime fleet means that we can now offer a one-stop-shop to our trade partners for maritime tourism activities in the region."

The R. Tucker Thompson is owned and operated by the R. Tucker Thompson Sail Training Trust, a not-for-profit charitable trust that encourages a wide range of learning experiences. Profits from day sail activities are used to support youth sail training programmes over the New Zealand winter.