Tourism Award dedicated to Real Journeys' founder

Media release
6 August 2008

Export award dedicated to pioneering visionary

Real Journeys has been recognised as one of the New Zealand tourism industry’s top companies, winning the 2008 NZ Trade & Enterprise Export Award at the annual Tourism Industry Awards.

Real Journeys CEO Dave Hawkey and marketing communications manager Diana McCurdy travelled to Christchurch to accept the award.

Mr Hawkey said he wanted to dedicate the award to company founder Les Hutchins. “In many ways, Les Hutchins was a visionary,” he said. “When he and his wife Olive founded Real Journeys in 1954, they had a vision of sharing Fiordland’s pristine wilderness with the world. Fifty-four years on, this company is now a leading player in New Zealand’s tourism industry.”

The Export Award recognises successful and growing businesses. Real Journeys currently employ 160 full-time permanent staff and 260 casual staff during the peak season. The company is known for the knowledge and expertise of its guides - which provides a special attraction for visitors keen to experience the natural environment and learn about conservation in New Zealand.

Mr Hawkey said that much of the company’s success was due to the mindset of its founders. Les and Olive Hutchins viewed conservation as the cornerstone of New Zealand’s tourism industry and never deviated from this belief.

“Today, conservation and sustainability are at the forefront of most peoples’ minds, but Les and his wife Olive were passionate advocates for the environment from the very beginning of the company.”

Since its inception in 1954, Real Journeys has always had a strong sense of environmental responsibility. Mr Hutchins was awarded an OBE in 1988 for services to tourism and conservation; he received a New Zealand government “Biodiversity Accolade” in 2000; and he was made a “Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit” in 2002 for his services to conservation and tourism.

Today, the company’s ongoing conservation projects include sponsorship of Whio/Blue Duck, Pekapeka/Native Bat and the Stewart Island Harlequin Gecko as well as a substantial annual contribution to other conservation projects via the Leslie Hutchins Conservation Foundation.

The company also  plays an active part in local Sustainable Tourism initiatives and staff and passengers are actively encouraged to get involved in conservation initiatives where possible.

CEO Dave Hawkey said conservation activities were a vital part of the company’s culture. “Our staff are passionate about the areas where we operate. They work in very remote and pristine locations and they not only want Real Journeys to have a strong conservation focus - they expect it.”

The award would be a huge boost for staff. “It’s an amazing endorsement of what we’re doing - because it’s completely independent. It’s an honour to be recognised on a national level like this.”

Real Journeys is a locally owned and operated tourism operator with excursions in Fiordland (Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Milford Track Day Walk, Te Anau Glowworm Caves), Queenstown (TSS Earnslaw steamship and Walter Peak High Country Farm) and Stewart Island (ferries and excursions - operating under the brand Stewart Island Experience).

“We haven’t inherited this land, we have only borrowed it from our children”
Real Journeys founder Les Hutchins (1924-2003)

For further comment, please contact:

Dave Hawkey, Real Journeys CEO
Tel 03 249 8627 / 027 233 7931
Email dhawkey@realjourneys.co.nz

Diana McCurdy, Real Journeys Marketing Communications Manager
Tel 03 442 4830
Email dmccurdy@realjourneys.co.nz