New brand for Milford Sound Red Boats

9 June 2009

New brand for Milford Sound Red Boats

Premier New Zealand tourism company Milford Sound Red Boats Ltd has launched its new brand.

The company has re-branded as Southern Discoveries to reflect expansion of the business outside of Milford Sound and the need for a brand that widened its scope. 

Southern Discoveries General Manager John Robson said the new brand was the latest phase of business expansion and development heralded by the sale of the company to Dunedin-based Skeggs Group in September 2008.

The Skeggs Group Managing director David Skeggs said then that the company had good growth potential and promised an on-going programme of development.

And true to his word, Southern Discoveries today announced a half million dollar refurbishment of its Milford Deep underwater observatory. The structure is the only one of its kind in the Milford Sound Piopiotahi Marine Reserve, where visitors descend more than 10m below the surface to marvel at spectacular marine life in its natural habitat.

The investment will create more ‘wow factor’ for customers and offer a more interactive and educational experience. The revamped observatory will be renamed the Milford Discovery Centre and be launched towards the end of 2009.

The range of initiatives and investment into Southern Discoveries over the past nine months does not stop there – an application to establish a kayaking operation in Harrison Cove alongside the Discovery Centre is currently being reviewed by the Department of Conservation and Environment Southland.

Mr Robson said the aim of the kayaking operation was to increase people’s awareness of the natural values of the fiord and Fiordland National Park.

"Our target market is the person who wants to have a short, gentle paddle. The experience will be unrivalled in the Sound in giving visitors the most complete and knowledgeable experience,” he said.

The company is also expanding into the retail market and will open its first retail store in Queenstown in early winter, to complement its existing Information Centre on Te Anau’s lakefront.

The outlet will be primarily Milford-focused offering full information and a booking service for all activities in the region.

Mr Robson said all developments reflected the company’s extremely positive outlook in relation to the tourism sector and ongoing growth.

Southern Discoveries offers the most modern cruising experience in Milford Sound with a fleet of three spacious catamarans and the Encounter Cruise. It also operates the Milford Discovery Centre, New Zealand’s only floating underwater observatory, and the Blue Duck Café and Bar in Milford Sound.

ends

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