Business has never looked more inviting at Crowne Plaza Auckland

by November 27, 2017

Media release from Crowne Plaza Auckland Crowne Plaza Auckland is turning the boardroom into the ‘not-so-bored’ room and put the excitement back into ‘experiences’ for meetings, incentives, conference and events guests. The 352-room city centre hotel launched its latest video campaign today (Monday November 27) to help take bookers on a visual journey of the…

The video also showcases hotel facilities such as the Club Lounge – an exclusive area with all the ‘bells and whistles’ available to guests who stay the night in a Club room.

The changes have come from Crowne Plaza’s new brand tagline ‘we’re all business, mostly’ and a recognition that delegates and guests are looking for unique spaces and experiences coming into 2018.

Based on the modern business traveller, the campaign also recognises that delegates want to make the most of every opportunity when travelling for work to make time inside AND outside the boardroom really count.

It’s in line with a new European study that recognises meetings built around ‘all work and no play’ makes for a dull Jack or Jill.

The IHG study has revealed business travellers admit work trips are more fun and enjoyable than they let on, with nine out of ten making the most of downtime by getting out and about to explore the city, ticking off their personal travel ‘to do’ list.

Crowne Plaza Auckland is conveniently located in the heart of the city’s business, entertainment and waterfront district, and General Manager Tim Pollock said it was the perfect base for guests to “do business and get out to experience the best of the city”.

To help guests do just that, the hotel’s created an online guide to Auckland business travel featuring ‘must-do’ activities for their downtime, dining hotspots and team building exercises around the city.

“Business trips have somewhat changed,” said Tim. “The new video campaign reinforces to the MICE market that work and downtime can be mutually productive.

“We do the fundamentals extremely well but in today’s market it’s about creating unique experiences to excite and delight delegates, so we’re continuing to work on new projects coming into 2018.

“We’re proud to have been named Leading Business Hotel in the World Travel Awards again this year, for the third time. It confirms what we know, but also creates confidence in guests that Crowne Plaza Auckland’s exceptional high level of service has been maintained over the years.”

The hotel is home to ten flexible function rooms catering for everything from an executive boardroom meeting for 12 to a presentation or gala event for up to 460 guests.

All meeting and conference rooms are fully equipped with modern sound and visual systems, complimentary Wi-Fi and interactive projectors. The hotel’s audio-visual specialists supply all the presentation needs from a data projector to staged events and widescreen presentations.

Many of the function rooms are bathed in natural light, with all rooms providing bespoke flexibility. The hotel’s renowned Aria Restaurant and Bar also creates the perfect venue for a business lunch or group celebration.

Crowne Plaza Auckland also recently launched three new packages – Mostly Energised, Mostly Inspired and Mostly Social – to ensure downtime is as productive as work time.

Whether guests are in Auckland for business, an event, need some much-needed rest and relaxation, or are looking for a weekend escape, the packages are designed to leave them feeling inspired, energised and connected.

Tim Pollock said the packages tied in perfectly with meetings and conference business.

“We want delegates to stay the night and enjoy everything Auckland has to offer. Whether they want to stay active in the city, be social or relax with a massage at the end of the day, we have all bases covered.”

See the video campaign here and find out what’s on offer for the Auckland business traveller this summer here.

Picture caption:

1/ Crowne Plaza Auckland’s Aotearoa-themed gala dinner is a unique experience for MICE guests

Read More

The ultimate discovery with Skydive Southern Alps

by November 20, 2017

Media release from Skydive Southern Alps Boundless skies, New Zealand’s most stunning alpine scenery and an authentic appeal to the adventurous are the hallmarks of a freshly-branded skydive company. For the past five years the former Skydive Paradise has been playing little brother to its older and bigger sibling NZONE Skydive. Now Skydive Southern Alps…

Skydive Southern Alps is part of Australasia’s fastest-growing tourism company, Australian-based publicly listed company ExperienceCo. The company acquired the Glenorchy-based skydive company when it bought sister operation NZONE Skydive two years ago.

“The grandeur of the scenery as guests jump from a plane 15,000ft above the rugged snow-capped Southern Alps, the braided channels of the Dart River, crystal clear Lake Wakatipu and the gorgeous township of Glenorchy makes this a breath-taking experience,” says Marketing Manager Stephen Thompson.

“People who love a sense of discovery are ecstatic about the whole experience, starting with the spectacular 45-minute lake edge drive from Queenstown to the beautiful and remote Glenorchy in the heart of the mountains.

“It’s a very personalised trip for small groups shared with a handful of our friendly and highly-experienced flight and ground crew.

“When they get to the dropzone they love the vibe and the natural environment as they prepare to skydive and then share their skydive experience with our staff and other customers.

“And where else in the world do they get to jump over Tolkein’s magical Middle Earth, with that birds-eye view of Mt Aspiring and Fiordland national parks?”

Once they’ve made the leap of faith to leave their perfectly good plane, guests have up to 60 seconds of freefall to take in the 360-degree views from above, appreciating the scale of the 500km-long Southern Alps, the backbone of New Zealand’s South Island.

On a clear day they can see as far as Mitre Peak in Milford Sound on the wild West Coast of the island.

For a tempting ‘taster’ of a Skydive Southern Alps trip click here.

Guests wishing to book their skydive adventure of a lifetime can visit the dedicated new Skydive Southern Alps Shop in Queenstown’s Shotover Street.

Picture caption:

1/ Guests on a Skydive Southern Alps jump have up to 60 seconds of freefall to take in stunning mountain, lake and river views

Read More

Queenstown student awarded tourism scholarship

by November 06, 2017

Media release from AccorHotels Queenstown One lucky Queenstown student has been granted a scholarship to give her the ultimate kickstart in New Zealand’s booming tourism industry. Wakatipu High School (WHS) student Harriet Dennison, 18, will study a Diploma in Hospitality Management at the award-winning Queenstown Resort College (QRC), thanks to an inaugural partnership between four…

The four properties driving this scholarship are Hotel St Moritz, Novotel Queenstown, Sofitel Queenstown and Mercure Queenstown Resort.

Hotel St Moritz General Manager Jo Finnigan presented the scholarship at the high school’s Senior Prizegiving on Thursday afternoon (November 2 2017).

A delighted Harriet said it was “quite incredible” to receive the scholarship.

“I’m very excited to be able to gain further knowledge in the tourism industry through QRC, especially here in Queenstown, my home town,” she said.

“I’m thrilled to have received this scholarship because AccorHotels is such a well-known global brand, and I’m looking forward to learning here in the environment that QRC provides.”

The scholarship was a collective vision from AccorHotels and QRC to open up the world of hotel business to Queenstown students, exposing them to a compelling career path in tourism with the option to travel worldwide.

Students applied for the grant by submitting responses to several questions, including an inventive 100-word response to “the secret of their success if they ran a world-renowned Queenstown hotel in 2028”.

Harriet’s ‘thinking outside the box’ approach led her to create a 100-word mind-map to visually explain her success, outlining every element of running a successful hotel including facilities, customer experience and management.

She also came up with a catchy motto “we deliver what you want, before you know it”.

Hotel St Moritz General Manager Jo Finnigan particularly loved Harriet’s creative application.

“It’s fantastic to see the next generation excited about a career in New Zealand’s dynamic hospitality and tourism industries,” she said.

“Harriet came across as a natural leader and I look forward to watching her career unfold.

“I’m hopeful this inaugural scholarship inspires a pipeline of high school students in the future.”

Queenstown Resort College Chief Executive Charlie Phillips said the scholarship was a “great opportunity” for Harriet to work within New Zealand’s largest export industry.

“Gaining a recognised qualification in the tourism and hospitality sector provides a competitive advantage when it comes to maximising employment opportunities,” he said.

“We look forward to welcoming Harriet to QRC early next year.”

Harriet will begin her Diploma in Hospitality Management at Queenstown Resort College in January 2018.

Picture caption:

1/ Tourism kickstart – Queenstown Resort College Chief Executive Charlie Phillips (L) and Hotel St Moritz General Manager Jo Finnigan (R) presented a tourism scholarship to Harriet Dennison

Read More

Ziptrek Ecotours ‘Locals day’ a roaring success for Wakatipu High School Branches Camp

by October 30, 2017

Media Release from Ziptrek Ecotours Queenstown tourism company Ziptrek Ecotours is celebrating another successful ‘Locals Day’ as over 200 locals ‘took to the trees’ yesterday (Sunday October 29) to raise money for chosen charity Wakatipu High School Branches Camp. Over $5000 was raised for the Branches Trust which financially supports the iconic camp for Year…

A resounding 56% of the votes backed Branches Camp, which will host 180 students this year.

On the day locals got to experience the Kea-6 line or Moa-4 line at a heavily discounted rate of $50, with proceedings going towards Branches.

Branches Charitable Trust chair Louise Ward said the money raised was a fifth of the funds the trust needed to put towards the camp to keep it affordable for students and families.

“We can’t thank Ziptrek enough for their help, thanks so much,” she said.

“This amazing environment in the trees is in complete harmony with what we do in Branches with our walking, abseiling, use of harnesses and Ziptrek’s emphasis on sustainability.”

Ziptrek Ecotours has been supporting local charitable organisations for nearly eight years and prides itself on its environmental sustainability.

Ziptrek Ecotours director Trent Yeo said it was “awesome” for their staff to see so many Branches fans and advocates on the day, zipping around the forest.

“We’re proud to support a camp that has been providing safe outdoor experiences for fifty years, something that’s a rite of passage for all young people who grow up in the Queenstown district,” he said.

The Branches Trust was formed in 2009 when Wakatipu High School became increasingly worried about rising costs.

Mr Yeo said Locals Day was a favourite with staff because it gave the company the chance to ‘harness up’ a few locals to give them a glimpse into what the company worked towards and how passionate they were.

“Connecting locals and visitors to our surrounding region is important as we’re educating them about the importance of sustainable environmental practice,” he said.

“That’s why it’s been a privilege to raise money for Wakatipu High School so students can help understand and spread this message.”

Local groups Ziptrek has supported to date include the Lakes Family Centre, Youth Booth, Wakatipu Search & Rescue, Kiwi Birdlife Park, St Johns Ambulance, Queenstown Scouts and Wakatipu Reforestation Trust.

Leading the way in zipline innovation and sustainable business practice, Ziptrek Ecotours launched in New Zealand in November 2009 and since then has completed nearly three-quarters of a million zips through the forest canopy on Queenstown Hill on ‘gravity fed ziplines’.

Picture caption:

1/ (L to R) Branches Trust Locals Day fundraisers Kirsty McCorkindale, Louise Ward, Vinny McCorkindale and Ziptrek Ecotours guide Arjun Thakker

Read More

Heli Tours Queenstown gaining its mark on sustainable tourism practice

by October 18, 2017

Media Release from Heli Tours Queenstown Queenstown commercial scenic flight provider Heli Tours Queenstown is celebrating after being recognized as one of the highest-quality, safe and sustainable tourism businesses in the country. Heli Tours Queenstown is the only private and locally-owned helicopter company flying from the resort town, owned and operated by proud South Islanders…

Businesses are assessed on four key sectors — health and safety, sustainable and environmentally friendly practice, social hospitality and the economic operations of the company.

Following the intense evaluation, businesses can be awarded bronze, silver or gold.

Heli Tours Queenstown has been operating in Queenstown for seven years, and Mr Mitchell said they were delighted with the Silver award.

“Qualmark Silver enables us to benchmark our business against other tourism operators throughout the country and continually strive to be the best,” he said.

“When visitors see that Qualmark branding they know that operation is safe, delivers a fantastic customer experience and customer service, and is reliable. They know they’re in good hands.”

“The whole accreditation process makes you look at your business from the outside in, and now we have the assessors report we know we can fine tune it with some very small improvements that can make all the difference.”

Mr Mitchell said he believed a Qualmark accreditation helped secure a long-term sustainable position for the tourism industry by protecting what made New Zealand unique and desired.

The couple say they love to showcase and inspire visitors with their extensive knowledge of, and passion for, their beautiful ‘backyard’.

Currently operating three helicopters, Heli Tours Queenstown has the widest range of landing concessions available to any Queenstown-based helicopter businesses, after being granted an historic 18-year permit multi-conservancy concession for heli landings just two years after setting up in business.

It was the first of its kind permitted by the Department of Conservation and enables the company to make the most of a range of options for helicopter landings throughout Otago, Southland and Canterbury for recreation or tourism activities.

It’s scenic flights and activities on offer include alpine snow and glacier landings, Milford and Dusky Sound trips, wine tours, high and low-adrenaline adventures, relaxing scenic spa and picnic activities, and personalised custom tours.

“More and more of our guests, no matter what country they’re from or their background, want the ‘new luxury’ of an authentic, genuine experience, really engaging with locals and learning about the area,” said Katherine Mitchell.

“That can be anything from seeing the family farm, escaping the crowds, to meeting a winemaker or going for a hike.

“They don’t have to be big trips, but we know we’ve done our job when they leave feeling like they’ve made a friend.”

Heli Tours Queenstown operates from its base at Queenstown International Airport.

Read More

Lucky charity named – votes are in for Ziptrek’s Locals Day recipient

by October 05, 2017

Media Release from Ziptrek Ecotours Queenstown’s vibrant community has spoken – rallying together to vote for the voluntary organisation which will receive thousands of dollars from an annual fundraising day. Multi-award-winning tourism company Ziptrek Ecotours put the ‘power to the people’ in a Queenstown ‘first’ to decide which deserving organisation should receive the proceeds from…

With 56% of the votes, the winning cause is the iconic Wakatipu High School’s Year 10 Branches Camp.

Queenstowners will ‘take to the trees’ on Sunday October 29 for heavily discounted trips on the Kea 6-line or Moa 4-line tours, with 50% of proceeds going to Branches.

Ziptrek Ecotours director Trent Yeo said he was “delighted” with the community response.

“With the rise in social media use by locals and visitors, this was the perfect opportunity to take our iconic Locals Day to a whole new level,” he said.

“Ziptrek has been holding locals’ days to ‘give back’ to our community since we launched nearly eight years ago.

“All three of the organisations do a superb job for our community, but we had to go with one and it’s fantastic to see Branches Charitable Trust named as the worthy recipients, voted on by the general public.

“Now we’d love to see their supporters out in force on locals’ day, ‘zipping through the trees’ for hopefully a record-breaking day in aid of such a good cause.”

Branches Camp is a 12-day Wakatipu High School Year 10 outdoor camp held in remote Skippers Canyon. It’s regarded as a ‘rite of passage’ by all past and present students, and the Trust was formed in 2009 by locals concerned with escalating costs of running the camp.

Branches Charitable Trust Secretary Belinda Crichton said they were “over-the-moon” to have won the “people’s choice” vote.

“We’re delighted to receive the recognition for the work we do to keep the Branches Camp affordable for the high school community,” she said.

“We encourage everyone that’s voted to join us for a fun zipline adventure on October 29.

“With a combination of nature and adrenaline, the Locals Day will be the perfect warm-up for Branches Camp!”

Ziptrek has raised a total of $150K to date supporting local groups including Lakes Family Centre, Youth Booth, Wakatipu Search & Rescue, Kiwi Birdlife Park, St Johns Ambulance, Queenstown Scouts and Wakatipu Reforestation Trust.

Leading the way in zipline innovation and sustainable business practice, Ziptrek Ecotours launched in New Zealand in November 2009 and since then has completed nearly three-quarters of a million zips through the forest canopy on Queenstown Hill on ‘gravity fed ziplines’.

Picture caption:

1/ Queenstown locals will ‘take to the trees’ to raise money for the local high school’s Branches Charitable Trust

Read More

Community invited to vote on Ziptrek locals day recipient in Queenstown

by September 21, 2017

Media release from Ziptrek Ecotours Queenstown tourism company Ziptrek Ecotours is taking its Locals Day to a whole new level. The multi-award-winning company is giving its local community the chance to vote on which one of three local voluntary organisations should receive thousands of dollars from their annual fundraising day. The company has chosen what…

Wakatipu Alpine Cliff Rescue, the local high school’s Branches Charitable Trust and the Queenstown Fire Brigade are all volunteer organisations working tirelessly in the district.

They each feature on Ziptrek’s website with an explanatory paragraph on who they are and what they do, and a short video in which the representatives talk about why they should be chosen.

Branches Camp is a 12-day Wakatipu High School Year 10 outdoor camp held in remote Skippers Canyon. It’s regarded as a ‘rite of passage’ by all past and present students, and the Trust was formed in 2009 by locals concerned with escalating costs of running the camp.

Trust chair Louise Ward said as the costs of providing health and safety plans and guides increased each year, the goal of the Trust was to keep costs to students and families to a minimum “so every child in the Wakatipu can afford to go”.

The Wakatipu Alpine Cliff Rescue team is a small, high-profile group of professionally-trained and enthusiastic alpine rescue personnel who operate beyond the scope of normal ambulance, fire LandSAR search teams or police rescue services.

“We help people who can’t help themselves, anywhere that’s steep and difficult where you need technical equipment and competency,” said representative Chris Prudden. “We need a lot of support because ongoing equipment and training costs chew up the money.”

Last but not least, the 100% volunteer Queenstown Fire Brigade features about 50 members from all around the world, operating since 1863 and responding to over 300 calls a year.

Fireman Jesse Johnston said the brigade was “eternally grateful” to members employers who supported their roles. It’s also very appreciative of donations from the community, which is used to provide specialist training for brigade members and fund the purchase of key equipment required by the brigade.

Locals are being encouraged to go to the website to check the links and vote for the organisation they believe is most deserving of the locals’ day proceeds.

Ziptrek have supported seven local groups since opening in 2009, including Lakes Family Centre, Youth Booth, Wakatipu Search & Rescue, Kiwi Birdlife Park, St Johns Ambulance, Queenstown Scouts and Wakatipu Reforestation Trust, raising over a whopping $150K in total.

Voting closes on Saturday September 30 and the locals day will be held on Sunday October 29 2017.

On Locals Day, the local community is given the chance to experience the thrill-seeking fun of Ziptrek for a heavily discounted price. A significant proportion of the proceeds will go to the chosen charity.

Trent Yeo said the company was “dedicated and passionate” about helping another worthwhile local community cause as it “forms part of what Ziptrek stands for.

Leading the way in zipline innovation and sustainable business practice, Ziptrek Ecotours launched in New Zealand in November 2009 and since then has completed nearly three-quarters of a million zips through the forest canopy on Queenstown Hill on ‘gravity fed ziplines’.

For more information on each of the deserving organisations and to vote click HERE.

Picture caption:

1/ A Ziptrek Ecotours guest enjoying the view of Queenstown while ‘zipping’ through the trees

Read More

High school students invited to ‘dream big’ with tourism scholarship

by August 17, 2017

Media Release from AccorHotels Queenstown Two Queenstown businesses have joined forces with their local high school to offer a student a scholarship to kickstart their global tourism career. AccorHotels four Queenstown hotels have partnered with the award-winning Queenstown Resort College to award one lucky Wakatipu High School (WHS) student with a scholarship covering fifty percent…

Students can apply for the grant by submitting responses to several questions, including an inventive 100-word response to “the secret of their success if they ran a world-renowned Queenstown hotel in 2028”.

The scholarship is a collective vision to open up the world of hotel business to Queenstown students, exposing them to a compelling career path in tourism with the option to travel worldwide.

AccorHotels Regional Director of Talent and Culture Erin Dalton praised the leadership of the Queenstown hotels.

“It’s fantastic to see the four hotels nurturing their talent pipeline when faced with housing and immigration challenges,” she said.

“The scholarship demonstrates the value we place on engaging with our local community as a company.”

The opportunity will take students who are already ‘innately hospitable’ living in Queenstown and are a natural fit for the resort’s hotels.

The scheme is designed to engage Queenstown’s local community in the myriad of opportunities that exist for emerging young business leaders within the hospitality and tourism industries.

Wakatipu High School Principal Steve Hall described the scholarship as an amazing opportunity to study on “home turf”.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to begin a successful career in Queenstown and New Zealand,” he said.

“Financially, the WHS Scholarship will be invaluable to a local family. We have so many great hardworking students, and it’s such a fantastic opportunity to be awarded financial aid for further education.

“It’s important to recognise careers in adventure tourism or hospitality and hotel management as some of the best in New Zealand.

“The professional standards to which QRC prepares graduates with business training, along with practical experience, is highly sought-after by prospective employers.”

Queenstown Resort College Chief Executive Charlie Phillips said gaining a recognised qualification in the tourism and hospitality sector presented “unlimited opportunities”.

“It’s fantastic to see AccorHotels acknowledge the quality of QRC as the hotels have successfully employed many of our top graduates throughout the years,” he said.

“The hotel group acknowledges QRC as a quality provider with excellent outcomes and it makes sense for our local high school to consider us as their local tertiary provider.

“The scholarship is a great opportunity for students to work within New Zealand’s largest export industry. It’s fantastic to see all parties promoting the virtues of tourism as a career of choice.”

Applications must be submitted by September 30 2017 and shortlisted applicants will undergo a formal interview with senior AccorHotels’ management.

The successful applicant will be announced at the WHS Senior prize giving at Wakatipu High School on November 2 2017.

Picture caption:

1/ AccorHotels invites Wakatipu High School students to ‘dream big’ with tourism scholarship for a Diploma in Hospitality Management at Queenstown Resort College

Read More

Great sexpectations for Gay Ski Week QT

by August 07, 2017

Media Release from Gay Ski Week QT The world’s number one condom brand Durex is pulling out all the stops to ensure the LGBTQI community has the most enjoyable Gay Ski Week QT yet. The latest Global Sex Survey, which polled over 29,700 adults in 36 different countries, revealed half the participants considered “a good…

As platinum sponsor of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest Winter Pride event, Durex NZ is delighted to offer gay men and women convening in Queenstown in September “any excuse to play”.

“With over 80 years of experience in the bedroom, we’re dedicated to inspiring lovers to love sex safely and we’re proud to back New Zealand’s LGBTQI community,” said Durex Consumer & Shopper Marketing Manager Sarah Hollander.

“We’re all geared up for a fun winter wonderland celebration of diversity. It’s going to be a fun and social week-long celebration of skiing, glamourous hosts, drag races, karaoke, and fun between the sheets!”

Party-goers can walk away with male and female goody bags and VIP prizes throughout the week including condoms, pleasure gels, lubricants and personal massagers.

The 2017 line-up of events and activities includes the fabulous Miss Kola cabaret dinner, diversity day drag race at The Remarkables, a fun and social Queer Quiz Night and the not-to-be-missed Propaganda Gold Dance Party.

VIP local, Gold and Platinum pass holders are invited to join Durex on Thursday September 7 Toga Pool Party for an over-the-top fun-filled afternoon at the Toga Pool Party at Nugget Point Queenstown Hotel.

Gay Ski Week QT organiser Sally Whitewoods said Durex NZ was dedicated to creating a sexually healthy nation.

“We’ve been working with Durex for five years and it’s great to partner with them across a number of events this year as a platinum sponsor,” she said.

“They’re the perfect match as their products suit everyone, and we can’t wait to see what happens at this year’s event.

 

“If you haven’t already bought tickets, we encourage locals and visitors alike to come together and celebrate their diversity. Everyone’s welcome!”

Event tickets are available from the Gay Ski Week QT website www.gayskiweekqt.com/ and up-to-the-minute news can be found online at www.facebook.com/gayskiweekqt.

Picture Caption:

1/ Great ‘sexpectations’ for this year’s Gay Ski Week QT

Read More

International private equity company purchases iconic New Zealand-based tourism company

by August 04, 2017

Media Release from Active Adventures One of Australia’s fastest-growing funds management businesses has made its first investment into New Zealand reflecting its positive view on the country’s booming tourism sector. A consortium led by Blue Sky Alternative Investments has bought Queenstown-based Active Adventures, a tourism company that offers fully-guided, all-inclusive small group adventures in New…

It’s business as usual for the company’s 30 staff and 60 guides scattered around the world, although the sale is a significant step for the continued growth of the business.

Blue Sky’s private equity investment director Nick Miller and Blue Sky investment associate Ben Milton will join the Active Adventures board.

The Blue Sky consortium also includes Australian businessman Brett Godfrey, the former co-founder and CEO of Virgin Blue and current deputy chairman of Tourism Australia and Auckland Airport.

The final member of the investment consortium is New Zealand-born and Sydney-based Scott Malcolm, who has over 20 years’ experience in the investment banking industry in Australia and the USA. He founded independent corporate advisory firm Greenstone Partners in 2003 and is chairman of the CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Research Trust.

Immediately preceding the sale, the company’s three shareholders were Robin Wiseley, Phil Boorman and Michelle Trapski. Under the new partnership arrangement, Mr Boorman has divested his shares in the company, while Mr Wiseley and Ms Trapski retain a significant shareholding in Active Adventures. Mr Wiseley and Ms Trapski both join the new board.

Reflecting on the last few years in business, Mr Wiseley described it as “one of the most rewarding professional and personal experiences” he had ever had.

He said the new board was a highly passionate, motivated and skilled group with very impressive business and governance credentials.

“This new partnership will own and operate this company into the future, and it’s a very exciting future,” he said.

“Over the last four years we’ve enjoyed amazing growth, more than doubling our turnover, adding new destinations to our business and our new brand New Zealand Walking tours, launched in April.

“The company has grown to a point where we were able to attract the skills and investment capabilities of our new partners.

“Blue Sky has brought a very clever and passionate team of young professionals to the business. We have the right partners in the right company at the right time, when Active Adventures is poised to realise the next phase of its future growth potential.

“There are so many options in terms of growth through acquisition, development of new niche brands and potentially new offshore destinations.

“We’re very impressed with Blue Sky’s levels of integrity and attention to detail which is why we chose them as partners, and I’m very confident in Michelle and the incredible team we have built here to take the company into the future.”

“From a business perspective, this brings additional levels of governance and expertise to the table, but for clients nothing has changed. They will continue to experience the same level of hospitality, attention to detail and personalised service that Active Adventures is renowned for.”

Picture caption:

1/ Off the beaten track with Active Adventures

Read More

TESTIMONIALS

what our clients say

“Southern PR were great to work with, and they got some great results during the launch of our Cardrona Cabin. We’ve found using local representatives very successful, and Southern PR are one of the best.”

Founder Daniel Gudsell – Abodo Wood Ltd 

“The team at Southern PR is absolutely top notch. For general PR, social media expertise or crisis management, you want Fiona and her professional team in your corner.  Working with them is always a pleasure and I cannot recommend them highly enough.”

Director Gavin Taylor – GFORCE Paragliding

what our clients say

“I am very proud to have worked with Southern PR for nearly a decade. I love working with them, not only for their creative and thorough briefs and clear communication on shot requirements but also their enthusiasm on the shoot days.  If you want a positive, focused and creative team to get your brand out to your target market – Southern PR are your team!”

Photographer & Director Jackie Gay – Still Vision Photography