Real Journeys
Export Forum Christmas 05 event
November 22nd
| The numbers registered for this event had reached 70 and were still rising. Our Venue of Ward Wilson would be bursting at the seams - we had to move. So 115 Leet Street became the venue for delicious drinks, a fabulous feast and nourishing networking. |  |
At 6.00 our large crowd which had gathered at Club Southland settled into their seats and CEO Dave Hawkey sailed into a 'Real Journey' experience.
 | It all started in the 1950's when Les and Olive Hutchins had a vision to share the spectacular wilderness of Manapouri and Doubtful Sound. Their wings spread developing tourism in Te Anau, Milford and Queenstown. |
Their latest development on Stewart Island, includes a semisub of which you won't see the passengers on, why? Because they're taking this part of their journey below sea level, viewing the beautiful clear underwater world of Stewart Island.
Dave talked to us about the structure of the company and marketing aspects of the operation. Growth in the tourism industry is steady, over the last six years visiting numbers have increased by 55 percent. In 2002 Fiordland Travel Ltd was rebranded 'Real Journeys', after all, the experience you have while travelling with this tourism company is a real journey.
Dave concluded by highlighting a number of issues that the company faces, including working with DOC in the National Parks. Although some issues are not unique to Real Journeys or the tourism industry, like the weather. Dave then answered some very interesting questions from the crowd before our final highlight of the evening -
The prize draw - an overnight cruise for two. The lucky winner was Graham Williamson from BNZ, Graham will be cruising into Doubtful Sound aboard the Navigator, to experience a Real Journey.
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