Real Journeys is an award-winning South and New Zealand award-winning tourism company privately owned by the Hutchins family since 1954. It operates world-famous cruises on Milford and Doubtful Sounds, the legendary vintage steamer, TSS < i> Earnslaw at Lake Wakatipu, cave glowworm Te Anau-au, Stewart Island ferry services, lodging visits and accommodation and Cardrona Alpine Resort and International Antarctic Center and is recognized as one of the most influential contributors to a country's international tourism profile.
Founder Sir Les and Olive Lady Hutchins originally founded Manapouri-Doubtful Sound Tourist Company and later purchased Fiordland Travel in 1966 which was renamed in 2002 as Real Journeys.
The initial focus is on tour boating companies and sailing on Lake Manapouri and Te Anau, Lake Wakatipu, Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound. However, in the 1980s both the luxury coach passenger service and the airline's aviation service, between Queenstown and Milford, were introduced to signal the company's innovative attitude and entrepreneurship.
Real Journeys, also highly regarded for its commitment to many conservation projects in the southern region, has diversified and expanded the interest of tourists in recent years.
The purchase of the premier Cardrona Alpine Resort ski area in 2013 is one of the most significant acquisitions. The ski area recorded its best season in 2016 which is influenced by Real Journeys sustainable investment in facilities and infrastructure.
Group of companies owned by Real Journeys include the Stewart Island Experience, launched in 2004 and Wild Kiwi Encounter, operated as a joint tourism venture with Rakiura Maori Lands Trust, purchased in 2016. The International Antarctic Center in Christchurch added in 2015 and Queenstown Rafting , in which Real Journeys has been a 50% partner since 1996, purchased directly in 2016 along with coach services company association Kiwi Discovery company.
Video Real Journeys
Histori
The founder of Real Journeys, Sir Les and Olive, Lady Hutchins was a pioneer in the Southern Lakes tourism industry in the 1950s and for his services he was awarded the Newest Reader of the New Zealand Merit Order in 2002 which posthumously became a knight.
It was Hutchins' vision and foreshadowing that led to the establishment of Manapouri-Doubtful Sound Tourist Company in May 1954, after buying assets - two old launches, Pilgrim and Constance , and huts small - from the legendary Les Murrell plantation that has been transporting tourists across Lake Manapouri and connecting it with the road to Doubtful Sound since 1921.
The Manapouri-Doubtful Sound Tourist Company trip follows the same itinerary as the cruise on Lake Manapouri to West Arm followed by a 17 km walk past Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove in Doubtful Sound. Here the company built the cottage, which combines the original Murrell cottage, to accommodate tourists during a four-day trip.
Then the company was awarded a transport contract during the construction of Manapouri Power Station bringing the staff and materials from Manapouri to West Arm.
Nevertheless, The Hutchins were motivated by a keen desire to share their passion for the Fiordland region with visitors and in 1966 they purchased Fiordland Travel (Te Anau). The company was founded by the tourism identity of Lawson Burrows and Wilson Campbell in the 1940s and operated various contracts on Lake Te Anau, including a 12,000 year old Te Anau-au cave tour that Burrows discovered in 1948.
Steamship Antik
In 1969, Fiordland Travel turned its attention to Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.
The TSS Earnslaw , launched by the Government at Lake Wakatipu in 1912, slipped under the ownership of the New Zealand Railway Department. There was even talk of the attack of the ship but he was hired to become a private syndicate at the eleventh hour on January 1, 1969. The new ownership was short-lived and, targeting opportunities, Fiordland Travel applied for a historic steamship rental and on 12 December 1969 and began hauling goods and passengers to the head of the lake under their color.
In 1982 the company bought the ship directly and today TSS Earnslaw is the oldest coal-fired passenger steamer still operating in the southern hemisphere.
In 1991, Fiordland Travel secured the lease from Walter Peak's high-rise tour and TSS Earnslaw started daily trips to the high country station on the western shore of Lake Wakatipu. Visitors to Walter Peak can now experience the experience of farming, guided cycling tours, and horseback riding.
Walter Peak's historic Colonel's House Restaurant, which takes its name from the early owner, is recognized for its exceptional cuisine and is a popular dining spot for visitors and residents of Queenstown.
TSS Earnslaw , known as Lady of the Lake , is one of New Zealand's most famous tourist icons. When he celebrated his 100th birthday in October 2012, thousands of people took part in the celebration to reinforce the high esteem he has around the world.
Explore Fiordland
In 1966 Milford Sound was on Fiordland Travel radar but discussions with Tourist Hotel Corporation (THC) to buy their tourist run broke down and it was not until 1970 that Hutchins committed a robbery to Milford, challenging the government monopoly there.
The Department of Land and Surveys showed at the time that it would allow other concessions to service launch tours in Milford Sound. Determined to win the privilege, Hutchins bought a 16-meter cruiser, MV Friendship, tailored for the purpose. However, when the Department mysteriously decided not to appoint a concessionaire anymore, Fiordland Travel was abandoned at a crossroads.
Standing firmly on their plan to enter the Milford Sound market, Hutchins sailed the Friendship MV from Doubtful Sound to Milford late at night in late December 1970 and started business from the pontoon pier, catching THC unnoticed.
The business quickly departed largely because Fiordland Travel already has a contract with an entry operator, Trans Tours, to provide Milford Sound cruises for their tour group.
Despite strong resistance from THC, Fiordland Travel retains its role in tourism development at Milford Sound which has made the area one of the most significant tourist destinations in the country.
In 1974 the company launched its first tour ship in Doubtful Sound. Today Real Travel operates more than 15 ships in Fiordland and provides day and night cruises on Milford and Doubtful Sounds.
The shooting expeditions to Dusky Sound in Fiordland and along the coast of Stewart Island are also operated from five to seven days at Milford Wanderer specially built for voyages.
In 1984, Fiordland Travel introduced a luxury coach service from Queenstown to connect with their excursions in Manapouri, Te Anau and Milford Sound. Today, the typical Real Journey "Bullet" coach, with a glass roof and angled and angled seating for a better view, is a sophisticated art.
Air Tours
Fiordland Travel added another dimension to its tourism activities in 1987 by building aviation services between Queenstown and Milford Sound. First fly Cessna aircraft followed by the introduction of Nomad aircraft.
In 1993, Fiordland Travel flight operations and Mount Cook services to Milford merged to form a joint venture under the banner of Milford Sound Flightseeing. Fiordland Travel then bought the company directly.
Later, Real Journey combines its fixed wing airline services with those owned by Totally Tourism at another joint venture called Milford Sound Flights.
Total ownership of 50 percent of this tourism is then purchased by Skyline Enterprises and by the end of 2015 Real Journeys sells half to Skyline, maintaining a supply agreement for air services to Milford.
Maps Real Journeys
Preservation
Conservation has an important place in the Real Travel story and is the cornerstone of its business. Inspired by Sir Les Hutchins who is committed to Fiordland and its protection the company is dedicated to continuing its legacy to protect the heritage and preserve the environment of the community where it works.
Significant funds are donated annually to conservation projects that support habitat, restore species and cleanup initiatives. A yearly charity feast of the Feather hosted by Real Journeys helps fundraising for the work of the Department of Conservation (DOC) in the area. In 2015 the inaugural ball raised $ 40,000 for the preservation of the endangered kakapo (M? Ori: k? K? P? Or night parrot ).
By 2016, the function generates $ 65,000 for the Tamatea/Dusky Sound Recovery Project. Some of the funds are allocated for the $ 300,000 project, adopted by Real Journeys, to make Cooper Island in Dusky Sound free predator.
In 2013, Real Journeys purchased an area of ​​155 hectares previously rented at Walter Peak on the shore of Lake Wakatipu and embarked on a major land restoration project. In 2015 the company was awarded the Conservation Department (DOC) Award Certificate, for its role in clearing land in vast areas of threatening wild pines threatening the Queenstown and Central Otago landscapes, replacing them with scrub and native grasslands.
The Award Certificate also recognizes fund-raising projects and corporate awareness and support of relocation for rare whites (blue ducks) from Milford Track to nearby Routeburn Track to help improve breeding pairs.
Leslie Hutchins Conservation Fund, founded by Sir Les Hutchins before his death, reflects his enthusiasm for supporting efforts to protect and conserve lakes and conservation areas south of New Zealand. The purpose of these funds is also to reduce the financial barriers to allow all New Zealanders to experience and enjoy Fiordland, especially "risky" or disadvantaged people.
Every year Doubtful Sound visitors contribute more than $ 50,000 for this funding through a $ 1 passenger levy. Supported projects in the past include dolphin research, endangered bird protection programs, track and interpretation boards, outdoor education camps and wild pine exterminator.
References
External links
- Real Journeys (official company website)
- The Leslie Hutchins Conservation Foundation
- Milford Street
Source of the article : Wikipedia
0 Comments