NZ's Tourism Empire Rebrands

Posted 15th January 2019 to the Southland Times Newspaper Invercargill NZ

Thanks for your bumper tourism Issue on Jan 4  And the reorganisation story of the old Fiordland Travel aka Real Journeys into the Wayfare group.  It’s Good the Hutchins Family still hold some of old values from Les Hutchins days, when they use to listen to friends and locals. It was sad when progress sent the company into the high stakes management era and they moved HQ to Queenstown.  
They say good luck is when preparation, ambition by chance strike opportunity. Current CEO Richard Lauder certainly managed to ride that wave, but in a high stakes game the fall can be hard when the wave breaks.
I just hope Mr Lauder takes time to reflect on the history of what was the greatest Fiordland enterprise, forged on old fashioned pride, thrift and service. And by those who believed in it.  

  

Antarctic & Fiordland Center Christchurch

Posted 30th November 2015 to the Mountain Scene Newspaper Queenstown

The Purchase of the Antarctic Center in Christchurch by Real Journeys is a great chance to showcase Fiordland National Park and Real Journey’s Tourism Products

The Les Hutchins Trust Originally wanted to show case Fiordland in the Town of Te Anau but the numbers did not Work well... 

Ideally the Airport at Christchurch will be a much greater venue opportunity for such a venture
Especially if attached to the Antarctic Center... Parts of the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves would be easy enough to copy... Go back in time on the Steamer Tawera to the Milford Track, Relive the Excavation of the Homer Tunnel Tunnel, Experience Fiordland and Queenstown with 360 degree cinema screens.. Build a Scale Diorama of the Manapouri Power Project, Explore the Marine life in the Depths of Milford Sound.. ? A Prefect Opportunity to fulfill the founders dream... And why not ?