It might be New Zealand’s old guiding company but Queenstown-based Guided Walks New Zealand is still moving with the times. Including turning you into the next Bear Grills.
At 145 years old, New Zealand’s oldest guiding company, Queenstown-based Guided Walks New Zealand has picked up a top award in the prestigious New Zealand Travel Industry Awards 2012.
Owners Peter and Karyn Hitchman were on hand in Auckland to pick up the award for ‘Best Tour Operator – domestic’ category.
“We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved at Guided Nature Walks, and now to be the winners of the Best Tour Operator for New Zealand is very special indeed,” said Mr Hitchman.
“To be recognised by our peers who voted the company into the finals meant so much, so we'd like to thank everyone who has supported us in one way or another, and all the tourism agents and companies that believe in us and voted for us.
Beginning operations on the Routeburn Track in 1868, Guided Nature Walks is synonymous with back country guiding in New Zealand. Since taking the helm of the company, Mr and Mrs Hitchman have also added a range of new offerings, including snowshoeing in 2009 and heli-snowshoeing in 2012. Mr Hitchman, a former UK bodyguard and survival expert is also leading the newest innovation, ‘You vs Wild’, which gives clients a taste of what it's like to survive off the land, with nothing but a knife, a few things they might have on their person, or items discarded by others.
Mr Hitchman said the New Zealand Travel Industry Award benchmarked the company as a leader in the New Zealand guiding industry.
“Our business philosophy is one of focusing on continual business innovation as well as client experience, staff satisfaction, and protecting the environment for future generations to enjoy”
