Southern Discoveries will take over Go Milford, a Te Anau-based coach and tour operation, and Go Fiordland's Information Centre, in Te Anau, on Thursday.
The acquisition adds to the company's extensive holdings, including a 50% shareholding in the Queenstown-based Kawarau Jet boat operation, the Milford Discovery Centre and Milford Deep Underwater Observatory, the two-boat Queenstown Fishing Charters business, a retail store, and a cafe and bar.
Southern Discoveries general manager John Robson said yesterday the company had had a close association with Go Milford over the past five years and owner Bryan McChlery approached Southern Discoveries first when he wanted to sell to concentrate on his Te Anau holiday park business.
Mr Robson said the three Go Milford full and part-time drivers would be retained by Southern Discoveries to operate the coach service, and the company would employ up to 100 people by next summer.
The past three years had been a "very busy time for the company, on reflection", Mr Robson said.
"It's been fantastic. The Skeggs family, David in particular as managing director, are very committed to tourism. The opportunities present themselves, and, if they're a good fit, we'll take them."
Mr Robson said Southern Discoveries still experienced the same difficulties as any other operator in the economic climate. However, the Skeggs family had bought the business with a long-term view and the potential for expansion out of Milford Sound.
The company's next major tourism venture involved the launching of a large 120-passenger cruise boat on Lake Wakatipu.
However, the project would take about two years to come to fruition.
Mr Robson said Southern Discoveries had no intention of moving into the territory of the other major Southern Lakes operators Totally Tourism and Real Journeys, which both operated scenic flights.
