Company Profile

Board Members

Esa Yacoob; Tauheer Yacoob; Jillian Grindley Ferris.

Introduction

Esa Yacoob is the CEO and 100% shareholder of Yacoob Tourism. He serves on the board of Cape Town Roots Unlimited (CTRU). Esa Yacoob was appointed by the president of South Africa to serve on the IMC – International Marketing Council in 2010. He also serves on the audit committee of IMC, CTRU and e-business committee of CTRU.

Background

• Yacoob Tourism was founded in 1996 by Esa Yacoob
• It remains one of the few BEE investment companies that invests in tourism and plays a significant management role in tourism sector.
• Yacoob Tourism's core business focus is tourism
• Current investments include a stake holding and management role in Waterfront Shuttles, Nonkululeko Charters, American Express – CTI, Grand Cape Transport Services, Yacoob Yachts, Robben Island Curios and Tigers Eye Curio Shop and Adventure Bookings.

Vision

Our vision is to acquire and manage complimentary strategic tourism assets, that services the high net worth tourist. Key to achieving our vision is in the definition of the role that we see ourselves playing in:

• Understanding our market needs (end consumer and tourism retailers) and creating the right value proposition for the defined target market
• Developing all aspects of the tourism product. This includes building brand equity and providing the necessary infrastructure, systems and the service levels required to support the product.
• Sourcing new opportunities
• Playing a proactive role at a management level in transforming company policies in line with the requirements as set out by the Employment Equity Act as well as satisfying the need for real and credible empowerment of individuals and service providers from previously disadvantaged communities, through job creation and opportunity utilization.

Associates & Strategic Partners

Associates

• SASNIK Pty Ltd – Accounting Firm
• Jefta Twala Attorneys – V & A Waterfront
• Absa Bank / Claremont

Strategic Partners

• Tourvest Ltd (JSE Listed Company)
  BEE Partner at, V & A Waterfront, Cape Town International Airport and O.R. Tambo International Airport

Current Transport Ventures

V & A Waterfront Shuttle Services cc, established in 1994

• Shuttle Services within the V & A Waterfront
• Total employees: 8

Grand Cape Transport Services (Pty) Ltd, established in 1999

• Shuttle services, tour company and concierge service provider to Suwest International ( Pty) Ltd, Table Bay Hotel and CTICC
• Total employees: 35

Yacoob Yachts - Cape Charters, established in 1995

• Up market Catamaran named Ameera her capacity 38 passengers, operating form the V & A Waterfront
• Total Employees: 5

Nonkululeku Charters – Tigresse, Adrenalin, Jolly Roger and Sea Shuttle, established in 1996

• Tigresse, a 60 passenger up market Catamaran operating form the V & A Waterfront
• Adrenalin, a 12 passenger classy custom 40ft Speed Boat operating form the V & A Waterfront
• Jolly Roger, a 75 passenger Pirate Ship, Theme Charter Vessel operating from the V & A Waterfront
• Sea Shuttle, 46 passenger Harbour cruise boat operating from the Aquarium.
• Total Employees: 22

Current Retail Ventures

Indaba Curious (PTY) Ltd, established in 1999

• Joint venture partnership with Tourvest at O.R. Tambo International Airport
• Total employees: 15

American Express Foreign Exchange - CTI, established in 2004 and 2007, respectively

• Franchise with Tourvest at V & A Waterfront
• Total Employees: 6

Robben Island Museum - Curio Shops, established in 2007

• 2 Curio outlets at Robben Island Museum
• Total Employees: 8

Adventure Ticket, established in 2007

• 2 Booking centers in the V & A Waterfront
• Total Employees: 4