Media Release from Milford Sound Red Boat Cruises

May 9 2008

Milford Sound Red Boat Cruises Celebrates Milford’s Top World Visitor Status

Premier New Zealand tourism company Milford Sound Red Boat Cruises is celebrating Milford Sound’s status as an international visitor attraction.

Milford Sound was recently named the top world travel destination by TripAdvisor websites, the largest travel community in the world with more than 25 million monthly visitors, six million registered members and 15 million reviews and opinions featuring real advice from real travellers.

“As a long-term operator in this stunning region with the widest available range of experiences and facilities on offer, we’re absolutely delighted that those travellers have given Milford Sound the ultimate ‘thumbs up’,” said Milford Sound Red Boat Cruises Sales and Marketing Manager Margie Slattery-Smith.

Ms Slattery-Smith said two new products introduced by the company within the past eighteen months had proved a huge success with travellers looking for the most comprehensive Milford Sound experience.

“Our customer research shows our Encounter Nature Cruise in a luxury small boat, enabling passengers to get up close to nature, is a real hit,” she said.

“Our boat drivers and guides, some of whom have lived in this area all their lives, know the area like the back of their hand, and that comes across in their commentaries and the spontaneous question and answer sessions we have on board that people absolutely love.

“Following that we launched the Discover More Cruise in October 2007 which offers the longest cruise in Milford including an on-board BBQ and visit to Milford Deep, New Zealand’s only floating underwater observatory and the only structure in this World Heritage Area.

“Customer feedback has been phenomenal and we have plans in the pipeline to improve the experience even more.”

Milford Sound Red Boat Cruises also continues to operate its popular Scenic Cruise, enabling customers to choose from a full range of cruises on a modern upgraded fleet with varying amounts of time spent on the water.

“We also operate Milford’s only café, the Blue Duck Café, the perfect place to stop for a coffee, a wine or a spot of casual dining while you reflect on your day in this breathtaking region,” she said.

Ms Slattery-Smith was recently appointed to the new position of Sales & Marketing Manager for Milford Sound Red Boat Cruises, Milford Deep, the Blue Duck Café and Bar and Te Anau Travel Centre, while long-term tourism industry professional John Robson is the General Manager Milford Sound.

With a tourism career spanning nearly 20 years, Mr Robson has cemented a firm reputation within the industry as an expert in all aspects of marine tourism. He started his career on the Devonport Wharf with Gulf Ferries and was Operations Manager for three years.

In 1995, he moved to Milford Sound to take up a newly created position as Operations Manager for Milford Sound Red Boat Cruises and later managed Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World before moving back to Milford Sound in 2004 to oversee the arrival of THL’s $6.2m Pride of Milford and the million-dollar refits of the Spirit of Milford and the Lady Bowen.

Mr Robson is also a Director for the Milford Development Authority and a trustee of the Milford Community Trust.

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