11/08/2019 16:39

Intourist and Megapolus-Aviacharter: The Partnership of the Year?

BANKO Information Service has learned that Intourist has bought a 50% share in the Megapolus-Aviacharter, the broker company of UTE. According to unaccredited sources, Intourist initially wanted to poach Mikhail Shamanov, the head and co-owner of Megapolus-Aviacharter, but he accepted their offer only on the condition that he transfers to Intourist with 50% of his old company's assets. As a result a new project was launched which will soon be actively discussed not only in specialized outlets but also in the mainstream media. Participants in the project have refused to comment the situation in detail, waiting instead for a press conference planned for the end of January. Nevertheless, they have informed a BANKO correspondent about certain facts. Andrey Vlasov, Tourism Vice-President of Intourist, stated that: 'Assets of Megapolus-Aviacharter were bought in order to strengthen the Outbound Department of Intourist, and to develop the company in the sphere of aviation broker business. But it is not the only purpose of the deal. We expect much more from this partnership'. Meanwhile Mikhail Shamanov, pointed out that: 'our partnership will give us new commercial opportunities. The financial and political support of Intourist will move us to a new level. Although I realize that partnership with Intourist brings certain difficulties for us, I am sure we will cope with them thanks to the President of the company Alexander Artyunov - who is a professional financier and administrator’. However, the situation reminds experts of the partnership deals in1998 between Intourist and such tour operating companies as Begemot and Rosa Vetrov. It was presented as a deal of the century but ended in nothing. Sergey Zenkin, the Head of Rosa Vetrov explained the reasons: 'I as well as other involved top-managers faced open sabotage from people of the old structure. We were surprised with inner misbalance of the company'. The outcome of the present Intourist deal remains to be seen. Although in recent years the company has receded from its market-leading position, it remains an influential player. Sergey Zenkin, even after his unsuccessful experience with Intourist, pointed out in an interview to a BANKO correspondent: 'the potential of Intourist is colossal'.