MEDIA RELEASE
17th July 2015
Real Journeys Consistently Achieves Outstanding Traveller Reviews And is Endorsed as Responsible Tourism Operator
Real Journeys has now been awarded Qualmark Enviro Silver across its products (from Stewart Island to Queenstown) and
TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence for twelve of its listings for 2015.
Enviro Silver, awarded by Qualmark (New Zealand tourism’s official quality assurance for organisation) demonstrates a
very high commitment to being a responsible tourism operator; represents exceptional levels of resource management and
social responsibility; and shows the business meets the highest levels of environmental and social criteria in the areas
it operates in.
“We’re particularly proud of the fact that the TSS Earnslaw went from an Enviro Bronze to Silver this time round. We put
a lot of effort and expense into the vintage steamship, including lowering her emissions without affecting her
authenticity,” says Richard Lauder, Chief Executive.
On TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site, Real Journeys has twelve Certificates of Excellence, (awarded to
businesses that consistently achieve outstanding traveller reviews) plus this year its Milford Sound Scenic Cruise and
Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise received ‘Hall of Fame’ Certificates of Excellence. This means these two activities
have won Excellence awards five years running, an achievement only 9% of businesses manage worldwide.
“We’ve really listened to our visitors’ feedback and worked to enhance the customer experience - particularly with our
upgrade of the Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant and the food we offer at Walter Peak, which now gets rave reviews,” says
Richard.
Real Journeys is a family owned tourism business that was established over sixty years ago.
About Real Journeys www.realjourneys.co.nz
Real Journeys is a privately owned tourism business that was founded in 1954 by tourism and conservation pioneers Les
and Olive Hutchins. Today the company remains true to its founders and their guiding principles of conservation and
hospitality.
Based in some of the most untouched areas of New Zealand, Real Journeys has operations from Stewart Island to Queenstown
– including world renowned cruises through Milford and Doubtful Sounds and the heritage steamship TSS Earnslaw.
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