thl nominated for four Golden Backpacker Awards

MEDIA RELEASE
7 October 2010

thl nominated for four Golden Backpacker Awards

This year, Tourism Holdings Limited (thl) is in the running for four Golden Backpacker Awards, being announced on 4 November at a gala dinner in Sydney.

The Golden Backpacker Awards are the only Australasian awards programme for the independent travel sector and winners are determined by travellers who lodge their votes across a number of backpacker tourism categories on www.tntdownunder.com.

The awards recognise outstanding companies that work the hardest in order to bring a truly special, one of a kind experience to customers and thl is proud to be identified for this across three of its brands.

The categories that thl has been nominated in are:

Best Tour / Transport Operator New Zealand – Kiwi Experience
Best Car / Camper Rental Australia – Backpacker Campervans
Best Car / Camper Rental New Zealand – Backpacker Campervans
Best Car / Camper Rental New Zealand – Explore More

Kate Meldrum G M Marketing and Customer Experience for thl says “These awards are particularly meaningful for our brands as they are voted for entirely by our customers – it’s a reflection of our team’s commitment to making each and every customers’ trip the trip of a lifetime.”

“We really have raised the bar this year in customer service and innovation with all our vehicles and services. We are also committed to improving our social networking channels to give customers instant information updates and a new way to converse with us.

“thl has now developed a social media programme that encompasses Facebook fan pages, Twitter, community forums, blogs and YouTube channels across its brands. With more people relying on social media as a portal for information, we see this as a priority for our brands.”

Each of the thl brands up for an award have individual attributes they bring to the wider thl brand.

This is the fourth year Kiwi Experience has been nominated and the brand is continually looking at ways to evolve the Kiwi Experience product, routes and activities to ensure it provides travellers with the most authentic and exciting New Zealand experience. This year is particularly special for Kiwi Experience as it celebrates its 21st birthday.

Backpacker campervans is leading the way in online services including its new hi-tech website. The site for thl’s Backpacker brand uses Google Maps to allow travellers to build their own adventure around New Zealand. An industry first, the website enables international and local backpackers to custom-build an itinerary for their perfect adventure.

Explore More is focused on strengthening its customer base through expansion and great promotions. This year Explore More launched in Australia in six locations and expanded its NZ offering with two new depots in Queenstown. Explore More also partnered with Cardrona this year to provide customers a great winter ski deal.

ENDS

thl is one of Australasia’s premier tourism companies. thl owns and operates Maui, Britz, Backpacker and Explore More Campervan and Car Rentals, Waitomo Glowworm Caves, The Legendary Blackwater Rafting Co., Ruakuri Cave, Aranui Cave, Kiwi Experience and CiMunro.

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