New Zealand First For Taupo Jet Boat Operator

10 JUNE 2008

New Zealand First For Taupo Jet Boat Operator

Taupo’s Hukafalls Jet has passed the requirements of a first-time benchmarking organisation to become the only jet boat company in New Zealand to be currently recognised as a Green Globe Benchmarked Activity.

This program recognises the operation has taken the first step to improve their business or community’s environmental, social and economic performance.

In achieving Bronze Benchmarked status, Hukafalls Jet has committed to benchmarking its energy and water consumption, total waste production, community commitment, paper, cleaning products and pesticide usage; along with implementing an integrated environmental and social policy.

From the benchmarking data provided by Hukafalls Jet, four indicators - Water Saving, Waste Sent to Landfill, Community Commitment and Paper Products, are at or above the Best Practice level, which is an achievement to be commended.

“We undertook this program to demonstrate our ability to have a positive impact on the environment despite the fact that most people wouldn’t necessarily think of a jet boat operation as environmentally friendly,” said Hukafalls Jet’s Marketing Manager, Michelle Caldwell. “Over the past few years, we have seen an increase in the concern our customers show for the environment and more and more, our international travel agent partners are asking to see our environmental and sustainability policies. We have spent considerable time developing a sustainability policy which ensures that our business continues to have a positive impact on both our local environment and wider community. By joining with Green Globe, we now have a credible audit of our key performance indicators and we must continue to improve on these to maintain our Green Globe status.”

Green Globe is the worldwide Benchmarking, Certification and improvement system assisting the international travel and tourism industry to attain sustainability. Green Globe provides a certification system that responds directly to the major environmental problems facing the planet, including the greenhouse effect, over-use of freshwater resources and the destruction of biodiversity.

Rick Brown, Business Development Manager of Green Globe New Zealand and the Pacific Islands says: “I am delighted that Hukafalls Jet has achieved Bronze Benchmarked status. Hukafalls Jet is a prime example of being committed to environmentally sustainable tourism. They have demonstrated through a variety of initiatives, that the business and its employees can make a difference by reducing their environmental impact. The commitment they have shown by participating in the Green Globe program and their achievements set an example for other businesses to follow.”

The news from Green Globe that Hukafalls Jet had successfully been benchmarked capped off an exciting month for the business, having also been named Finalist in the New Zealand Tourism Industry Awards under the Adventure Activity Category. Winners will be announced at a Gala dinner to be held in Christchurch on 5th August.

ENDS

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