Southern Discoveries named New Zealand tourism Operator of the Year 2015

Premier South Island tourism company Southern Discoveries has been named Operator of the Year 2015 at the Tourism Export Council of New Zealand Awards (TECNZ).

Delivering exceptional tourism experiences in Queenstown and Fiordland, Southern Discoveries is a joint winner of the award, which was announced in Dunedin at the annual awards ceremony at the beginning of last week.

Inbound tour operators selected the winners from several hundred tourism operator members who offer a wide range of tourism products throughout New Zealand.

Southern Discoveries Director of Sales and Marketing Julia Savill said the win was an “exciting” validation of the company’s work in the wholesale sector.

Savill stated "it’s fantastic recognition of our work.

“Our client partnerships are incredibly valuable and this award is the ultimate endorsement (while) our recent investment in specialist staff demonstrates our efforts to train and educate our travel seller partners, meaning they can better sell our products.

“We’re going through exciting changes to our product offerings, and this award tells us that we’re on the right track.

“It also makes sure we stay on this path so that we continue to deliver the best experience to our customers.”

Savill said the award was a true reflection of the “outstanding work” of the company as a whole and said she would like to thank Southern Discoveries’ inbound partners and TECNZ for the recognition.

She added "we value our relationships with those who can promote and sell us offshore and look forward to working together towards a successful summer season ahead.”

The TECNZ Operator of the Year award is a prestigious and much-sought after award recognising excellence and outstanding visitor experience.

It’s the second time Southern Discoveries has taken home the award, after winning in 2011. Operating in both Queenstown and Fiordland, the company offers a wide range of cruises and tour options across Lake Wakatipu and into Milford Sound.

In Milford Sound, trips include the Scenic, Nature, Encounter Nature and Discover More Cruises, plus a kayaking experience through the fiord’s beautiful waters. The company also operates the Milford Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory, New Zealand’s only floating underwater observatory, and Te Anau-based coach service Go Milford Day Trip.

Southern Discoveries’ newest addition - Spirit of Queenstown - cruises across spectacular Lake Wakatipu, and offers farm experiences at Mt Nicholas High Country Farm.

The company continues to develop its offering, striving to deliver the very best customer experience. There is also ongoing product development in Queenstown, with work underway on a new cycling experience at Mt Nicholas High Country Farm.

By employing more staff, including multi-lingual frontline consultants and offshore sales team members, Southern Discoveries has been able to engage more than ever with its distribution channels.

Savill concluded "we’ve been included in increasing numbers of wholesale/inbound campaign initiatives, and more partnerships are being developed with suppliers throughout New Zealand.

“Inbound tour operator engagement is at its greatest level and only growing across all markets.”

Images: The Spirit of Milford in front of Mitre Peak (top) and The Spirit of Queenstown cruises in front of The Remarkables (below).

19th May 2015 - SOUTHERN DISCOVERIES CONTINUES TO EXPAND MILFORD SOUND OPERATIONS

3rd May 2013 - SOUTHERN DISCOVERIES LAUNCHES HIGH-SPEED CATAMARAN TOUR AND NATURE EXPERIENCE

12th November 2010 - MINISTER OF CONSERVATION OPENS NEW MILFORD SOUND ATTRACTION