Kiwi Experience Wins Golden Backpack Award, Again!

MEDIA RELEASE
14 November, 2008

Kiwi Experience Wins Golden Backpack Award – Again!

Kiwi Experience, New Zealand’s original ‘hop-on, hop-off’ backpacker transport network, has won the 2008 TNT Golden Backpack award for ‘Best Tour Operator in New Zealand’, after also winning ‘Best Package Tour in New Zealand' last year.

The award was given out at the annual TNT Golden Backpack Awards ceremony held in Sydney last night.

TNT Golden Backpack Awards are coveted amongst tourism operators, because they are voted for by the travelling public.

General Manager for Kiwi Experience Brendon Pope says he is thrilled the operator has won this award again. “It’s an award we are extremely proud of because it is voted for by our international backpacker travellers themselves,” Mr Pope says. “We’d like to thank all of those passengers who voted for us, but I also need to acknowledge the contribution of the entire Kiwi Experience crew, particularly our legendary drivers who do so much to deliver a ‘sweet as’ experience for our passengers.”

Kiwi Experience would not now be resting on its laurels however. “We continue to evolve and strive to constantly improve our product and the quality of our vehicles this year is second to none”, Pope says. “We’ve also introduced new destinations, created greater discounts and added more free inclusions into our trips to make them even better value for money.”

The award is also attributable to the “something special” quality about Kiwi Experience that is hard to describe according to Pope. “Over many years, we’ve developed a unique culture where each of our passengers feels they are part of our family and I think that has gone a long way to us retaining this award’’

Kiwi Experience has been operating for nearly 20 years and during this time has carried more passengers and won more tourism awards than any other backpacker transport operator. Under the “Ex”” banner the operator also runs Feejee Experience and last year, they introduced Explore More to the market, a car and campervan rental product aimed at backpacker travellers. Explore More was also nominated for a Golden Backpack award last night, a real accomplishment for the short time the company has been operating.

About Us:
Kiwi Experience is New Zealand’s legendary hop-on, hop-off bus tour operator for backpackers and independent travellers. Operating for nearly 20 years, Kiwi Experience is part of the Tourism Holdings Limited (listed NZX:THL on the New Zealand Stock Exchange) portfolio. Founded in 1986 as a The Helicopter Line, specialising in scenic South Island routes, Tourism Holdings Ltd owns and operates all EX Group companies. The EX Group is one of the three major divisions of THL, which Kiwi Experience, Feejee Experience, Tourism Transport Fiji and campervan rental company Explore More fall under. The EX Group focuses on youth and adventure. This comprehensive spectrum offers every type of tourist the opportunity to explore the magic and majesty of New Zealand and Fiji. Whether it’s an adrenal-fuelled rush or a mellow meander – the THL Group provides the entire New Zealand experience at whatever price or pace you prefer.

For more information on Kiwi experience products visit www.kiwiexperience.com

ENDS

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