With training now in full flow for the 2012 Olympics, sailing teams are heading to Weymouth from around the world. But many of them have been facing the same problem - how do they transport their people in comfort, and move their sometimes large and bulky equipment safely?
Extra Mile Chauffeur Travel is a local chauffeur company that has been providing high end executive cars to businesses and individuals for five years. When they added a 16-seater mini-coach to their fleet, they moved quickly into the world of group travel.
“We realised that what the teams needed was a hassle-free, one stop solution for transporting themselves and their equipment,” says Julie Cleaver, owner of Extra Mile, “so we thought about how we could provide that.”
The answer lay in joining forces with other local businesses. By hiring vans and specialist drivers to transport the sailing equipment and using the mini-coach for the teams, Extra Mile was able to offer a flexible service from start to finish.
When they advertised the service on their website, they received enquiries from sailing teams as far afield as Australia, Hong Kong, China and Italy, all of which turned into firm bookings.
“We make it as easy as possible for them”, said Julie. “We can manage all the arrangements in this country, so when they arrive, their transport is completely taken care of.”
Extra Mile is now in partnership with another local firm, Fleet Coast Helicopters, providing a luxury chauffeur service for people arriving in the region by helicopter.
Julie firmly believes that opportunities for new and exciting business are out there. “It’s just a question of taking advantage of them, forming strategic business partnerships and offering an excellent and well thought out service.”
