Confirmed by phone with them as being authentic:
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
Dear Sir/Madam
The Train Tour Tourism Industry in South Africa has suffered a number of setbacks during the past couple of years, though it is still a viable, active and enjoyable industry. The privilege to be able to travel by train (either on budget or up market train tours) through our beautiful country is something to foster and protect.
Our company, JB Train Tours, has weathered all the storms during these turmoil times and we are grateful to state that our business is still growing strong, whilst the number of tours and destinations are increasing annually, mainly due to your support. On Friday, 14th November 2008, we’ll be launching our new Premier Classe train tour packages at a festival occasion at the Johannesburg Park railway station.
We still believe very firmly in this industry and we are doing our small part to keep it going.
However, some recent actions and practices exercised by other South African train tour operators have put the industry in a very bad light amongst the traveling public, as well as in the media. Hence this memo to you.
Our company has distanced ourselves and does not do any business, nor identify or associate with the following two train tour operators:
Setimela Rail (also trading as Albatros Tours or Shamwari Rail, et al). Owner: Mr. Kobus Wright (and/or other family members)
Nkosi Express (now trading as Kingsway Train Tours) Owner: Ms. Mariette Beukes (and/or other family members)
Both these companies operate from the Greater Pretoria area.
A civil law judgement was granted in favour of JB Train Tours against the latter in the Supreme Court in Pretoria on the 30th October 2008. Any further enquiries should be referred to our lawyer, Mr. Marius Botha at eurmar@worldonline.co.za
We have, in recent times, been approached by the media (newspapers, TV and radio) and other authorities to comment on these two companies’ activities. We have refused to do so, due to professional etiquette, but we have spoken and aired our views about the train tour tourism industry in general. One such an interview will be broadcasted coming Monday morning, 10th November 2008 on RSG (Radio Sonder Grense: 100 – 104 FM) just after the 7 a.m. news.
JB Train Tours (Since 1975) is still committed to host train tours for the next decade and longer and we would like to give peace of mind to all our regular and new customers that we want to continue with ‘taking you by train through our beautiful country to exciting destinations in a comfortable and affordable, safe and secure manner’.
End of Press Release
Approved by our legal office.
Any person receiving this memo is welcome to enquire on related issues and train tours at our offices.
We are looking forward in taking you on tour.
Regards
Johan Badenhorst
JB Train Tours
Sunward Park
South Africa
Tel: 0861 JBTOURS or 0861 52 86 87
011 913 2442
Fax: 086 687 7344 / 011 913 0552
Email: johan@jbtours.co.za
Website: http://www.jbtours.co.za