Kiwi Experience wins Golden Backpack
11 Nov 2009
Kiwi Experience, the New Zealand tour company that pioneered the hop-on hop-off bus network for backpackers, has won a significant Australasian tourism award.
More than 40,000 travellers voted across several categories to give Kiwi Experience the ‘Golden Backpack’ award in the Best Tour Operator New Zealand category.
It’s the third year in a row that Kiwi Experience has won the award, and caps off a successful year for the much travelled backpacking tour company - currently celebrating its 20th anniversary.
Golden experience
The Golden Backpack Awards is the only Australasian awards programme for the independent travel sector. Winners are determined by popular vote.
The award is particularly meaningful because it's voted for entirely by customers and reflects the company’s commitment to making every trip the experience of a lifetime, according to Kiwi Experience.
"We know the independent traveller sector is dynamic, so we're continually looking at ways to evolve the Kiwi Experience product, tour routes and activities to ensure we provide travellers with the most authentic and exciting New Zealand experience," said Kiwi Experience marketing manager Tara Baskerville.
Backpacker network
The backpacker tours network estimates more than 400,000 people have experienced New Zealand with Kiwi Experience since the first bus set off in 1989.
Since then, Baskerville says, the company has won a number of tourism awards, been part of some of legendary New Zealand film producer Peter Jackson’s blockbusters, and survived an onslaught or two from British Lions and Barmy Army rugby fans.
The variety of different routes and the Kiwi Experience team had also developed and grown to ensure the buses covered "must-see New Zealand icons, the best beaches, the hidden gems off the beaten track - while immersing travellers in New Zealand culture," said Baskerville.
She said the drivers were all chosen for their personalities, as well as their skills.
"They're Kiwi characters from all walks of life who do everything from booking accommodation and activities, to providing travel advice and manoeuvring the big green buses around New Zealand," said Baskerville.
To celebrate its 20th year, Kiwi Experience has relaunched its website with a community section and interactive map so people planning their New Zealand visit can go online and get helpful real-time tips from the Kiwi Experience team and travellers.
Other New Zealand winners of 2009 Golden Backpacks:
• Jucy Rentals - Best Transport company, New Zealand
• Base Queenstown - Best Hostel
• A J Hackett Queenstown - Best Tour / Activity
• The World Bar, Queenstown - Best Backpacker Night
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