Ziptrek Ecotours moves mountains in Queenstown

Media release from Ziptrek Ecotours
23 May 2011

Ziptrek Ecotours moves mountains in Queenstown

New kid on the block Ziptrek Ecotours has wasted no time making its mark on Queenstown’s thriving adventure-tourism industry and is now finding success in the outdoors-seeking conference and incentive (C&I) market.

Since opening its flying-fox operation in the tree-tops on Skyline Gondola hill 16 months ago, Ziptrek has launched its record-breaking Kea 6-line Tour, won the 2010 Queenstown Chamber of Commerce Sustainability Award and achieved Qualmark-Gold.

The high-velocity Kea 6-line Tour opened in November 2010 building on the company’s original Moa 4-Line Tour to provide an extended ‘zip into town’ experience that includes a stunning 20 minute trek through ancient native beech forest and the world’s steepest tree-to-tree flying fox.

The Tiki Trail extension track was built by Ziptrek and gifted to the community late last year.

In honour of Ziptrek’s business excellence and ongoing sustainability efforts, Ziptrek was presented with the inaugural 2010 Queenstown Chamber of Commerce Sustainability Award.

The Sustainable Business Award is awarded for proving dedication towards long-term profitability, creating no waste/being carbon neutral, meeting people’s needs, showing sustainable business practice, using clean energy and being industry specific.

Just recently Ziptrek picked up its Qualmark-Gold status for its exceptional standards of responsible tourism and environmental practices and has become a member of both ITOC (Inbound Tour Operators Council) and CINZ (Convention and Incentives New Zealand).

Lending a hand to Ziptrek Ecotours director Trent Yeo, General Manager Stu Cordelle was appointed just two months ago and said the company saw great opportunities in the group market.

“Ziptrek Ecotours is an ideal group activity – people move by flying fox or zipline from tree house to tree house in groups with lots of opportunity for interaction and team building fun. It’s also suitable for a broad range of people. It’s not high adrenaline adventure – just huge fun and no special fitness or ability is needed. Ziptrek also provides a wonderful opportunity for companies and organizations to introduce the principles of sustainable practice to their teams.”

Mr Cordelle said Ziptrek Ecotours would continue to “live and breath sustainability” in its future endeavours.

“We’re all immensely proud of what Ziptrek has achieved since launching in Queenstown. We have quickly become a widely accepted and respected visitor activity that appeals to a broad range of ages and abilities. Ziptrek offers an interpretive experience in the forest above Queenstown and introduces people to sustainability ideals and practices during a really fun and exciting activity,” he said.

Ziptrek Ecotours will exhibit at New Zealand’s showcase business tourism event, Meetings 2011 (22-23 June), an opportunity for suppliers and operators to meet with conference and incentive travel planners.

For more information on the sustainable endeavours and initiatives undertaken by Ziptrek Ecotours please visit www.facebook.com/ZiptrekNZ

ENDS

About Ziptrek Ecotours

Ziptrek Ecotours is a spectacular flying fox operation and interpretative guided tour in the forest canopy atop Skyline Gondola, high above Queenstown. ‘Zippers’ either ride the Skyline Gondola or walk up the “Tiki Trail” to check in at the Ziptrek Guest Services treehouse. From the moment guests check in, to the moment they complete the tour, they are in the trees, high above the ground, and privy to stunning panoramic lake and mountain views of Queenstown and its surrounds. Zippers are outfitted with a climbing harness and attached to the cable with a pulley to take part in an aerial journey through the forest. They then step off a series of architecturally designed, beautifully constructed aerial launch platforms to “zzziiiip” down the cable from tree to tree. Zippers can enhance the thrill factor by zipping in different positions – frontwards, backwards, sideways, upside down and ‘Spiderman-style’! Between flying foxes, Ziptrek guides deliver an interpretive talk with a strong ecological focus Ziptrek’s all-weather, all-abilities tour operates year round and is perfect for families (min. age 6), individuals and groups.
Ziptrek Ecotours has gained several eco-credentials since opening in Queenstown in 2009 and the company is continually looking for opportunities to develop and implement sustainable initiatives as part of its business practice. Initiatives range from staff ‘bike to work’ incentives to installing a remote solar panel power system which runs a wireless network in the trees. Ziptrek is also piloting biodiesel in its vehicles as part of the Queenstown Lakes Biodiesel Consortium and is a patron of the Wakatipu Trails Trust which aims to build a world-class network of linked trails throughout the lower Wakatipu Basin for the community.

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