Real Journeys Wins Two Tourism Industry Awards

Real Journeys Wins Two Tourism Industry Awards

South Island tourism operator Real Journeys was recognised as one of the industry's highest achievers at the Tourism Industry Awards last night, winning the "Conservation in Action Award" and the "Qualmark Mark of Quality Award". Company co-founder Olive Hutchins travelled to Auckland to receive both awards.

CEO Dave Hawkey said he was delighted to hear the news. "As a company, we are passionate about the excursions we offer and we feel proud and privileged to operate in the incredible southern part of New Zealand. It is wonderful to be honoured this way."

Real Journeys is a locally owned and operated tourism operator with excursions in Fiordland (Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Milford Track Day Walk, Te Anau Glowworm Caves), Queenstown (TSS Earnslaw steamship and Walter Peak High Country Farm) and Stewart Island (ferries and excursions).

Since its inception in 1954, Real Journeys has always had a strong sense of environmental responsibility. Founder Les Hutchins was awarded an OBE in 1988 for services to tourism and conservation; he received a New Zealand government "Biodiversity Accolade" in 2000; and he was made a "Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit" in 2002 for his services to conservation and tourism.

"In many ways, Les Hutchins was a visionary," Mr Hawkey said. "He viewed conservation as 'the real cornerstone of New Zealand's tourism industry' and he never deviated from this belief. Today, we strive to continue his legacy."

As Real Journeys has grown over the years, it has remained a New Zealand family-owned business strongly guided by the vision and conservation ethos of its founders. Current conservation projects include sponsorship of Whio/Blue Duck, Pekapeka/Native Bat and the Stewart Island Harlequin Gecko as well as a substantial annual contribution to other conservation projects via the Leslie Hutchins Conservation Foundation.

Real Journeys is also actively committed to best environmental practice, using the latest technology to minimise emissions, and data-logging to monitor - and help reduce - the company's overall carbon footprint. Staff and passengers are encouraged to get involved in conservation initiatives where possible.

"Winning this award is hugely significant to us because it's an independent endorsement of our conservation work," Mr Hawkey said. "It will also be meaningful to our passengers - who are increasingly demanding a sense of environmental responsibility from operators."

Mr Hawkey said he was looking forward to seeing the reaction of staff. "Our staff are passionate about the environment in which they work. They are always looking for new conservation initiatives and innovative ways in which we can reduce human impact. Many of them work in very remote locations and it's exciting for them to be recognised on a national level for something that is so dear to their hearts."

"We haven't inherited this land, we have only borrowed it from our children"
Real Journeys believes that conservation is the cornerstone of New Zealand's tourism industry. We are keenly aware of the importance of protecting the natural environment and, to help achieve this, we work closely with both the Department of Conservation and the local communities in which we operate.

Best environmental practice

* We regularly undertake internal environmental audits and benchmarking reviews to identify areas in which we can improve and to assess our progress.
* An independent consultant (Landcare Research) has measured the size of our carbon footprint, and we are introducing a data-logging system to monitor our progress in reducing carbon emissions from our vessels, coaches and aeroplanes.
* Where possible, we minimise all forms of waste and recycle. For example, we use biodegradable plastic picnic boxes at Milford Sound; we use water-blasters rather than chemicals to clean our vessels; and we use recycled waste oil from Milford Sound to heat our Te Anau Workshop.
* The technical innovations on our purpose-designed vessels and coaches minimise emissions, wake and noise pollution, while boosting fuel efficiency and passenger satisfaction. For example, we are currently building new coaches which we expect will be the first Euro 5 emission-compliant coaches in New Zealand.
* In 2006, we received an Environment Award from Environment Southland for our environmentally sustainable tourism practices in Doubtful Sound - including the construction of a new ultraviolet sewage treatment plant at Deep Cove that also serves DOC and other operators.

Individual projects

* Harlequin gecko: Real Journeys is contributing $40,000 over five years to assist DOC in studying this rare Stewart Island gecko. The Harlequin gecko only became known to science in 1981.
* Whio/blue duck: $10 from the ticket price of every Milford Sound cruise booked through the Milford Track online booking system is donated to Operation Nest Egg (ONE) to assist survey work and fund a whio recovery programme.
* Pekapeka/native bat: $10 from the ticket price of every Milford Sound cruise booked through the Kepler Track online booking system is donated to the Department of Conservation's pekapeka research programme.

Ongoing contribution - Leslie Hutchins Conservation Foundation

* Every year, passengers contribute more than $50,000 to conservation via a $1 passenger levy on our Doubtful Sound operations.
* Projects include protection programmes for endangered birds, tracks and interpretation signage, outdoor education camps and wilding pine eradication.

Encourage passengers and staff to get involved

* By maintaining best practice and having highly qualified nature guides, we play an important educational role in increasing visitor awareness of environmental issues. For example, the evening nature talk on our Overnight Cruises has a strong conservation focus.
* During winter we run 5-7 day Discovery Cruises. We facilitate an on-board auction, raising money for a relevant conservation project. To date, $10,000 has been raised, contributing towards projects such as bird transfers from Breaksea Island onto Anchor Island.
* Staff are encouraged to participate in company conservation activities, and also to pursue their own conservation interests.

Fiordland coastal clean-up

When required, we provide the Milford Wanderer as a floating base for accommodation, meals and logistical support.

Other forms of contribution

* In Milford Sound, employees check and maintain lines of stoat and rat traps and monitor local bird populations.
* We assist DOC with bird transfers (for example to Anchor Island and Ulva Island).
* Skippers monitor and report wildlife sightings to DOC. For example, sightings of marine mammals.
* We provide logistical support for environmental researchers (transport etc) and subsidised travel for children on education trips on all our excursions and to the school hostel at Deep Cove.
* We assist the Department of Conservation's summer nature programmes and support New Zealand Conservation Week by providing cruises and guiding support.

ENDS

© Scoop Media