Real Journeys group of companies now represented by 'Wayfare'

Media Release 

One of New Zealand’s leading family-owned tourism companies, Real Journeys, has announced the establishment of a new corporate identity called ‘Wayfare’ to represent its tourism companies in the international market.

Wayfare was chosen as the new name for its historical association and link back to Real Journeys (wayfare: to travel or the act of journeying), it also identifies with New Zealand as a nation of wayfarers and travellers, and ensures the group is open to future opportunities.

Wayfare will make it easier for trade customers to do business with the group’s five brands; Real Journeys, Cardrona Alpine Resort, Go Orange, International Antarctic Centre and Canyon Food & Brew Co. 

Wayfare Chief Executive Richard Lauder, who was appointed chair of Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) last month, says the new company is the natural next step in the continued growth and success of the group.  “Real Journeys as both ‘parent company’ and our largest ‘operating company’ sometimes created confusion. We wanted better clarity for our business customers, suppliers and our staff,” says Lauder.
There will be no change for the retail customers of the five brands.

Senior Leadership Team

"Real Journeys as both ‘parent company’ and our largest 'operating company' sometimes created confusion. We wanted better clarity for our business customers, suppliers and our staff."  

Wayfare Chief Executive Richard Lauder “Each of our companies has their own distinctive, uniquely kiwi brands and we’re proud of them. They will retain their autonomy to focus on their operations and domestic market sales.

The Wayfare team will only handle international sales. We are in the process of trialling new technology to improve all our booking processes to eventually make Wayfare an easy ‘one-stop shop’ for trade,” says Richard.

Across the seasons, the Wayfare group of companies employs 1000 - 1500 staff. Less than one hundred (mostly head office and shared services staff) have transferred from Real Journeys to Wayfare. They provide all the brands with specialised and centralised business services, including IT, international sales, marketing, corporate communications and finance.  There have been no redundancies as a result of the restructure.

Real Journeys Director of Operations Paul Norris will lead Real Journeys as its General Manager. Paul is highly respected in the industry and has worked in leadership positions for Real Journeys for the last 25 years.

Real Journeys as both ‘parent company’ and our largest 'operating company' sometimes created confusion. We wanted better clarity for our business customers, suppliers and our staff.

Wayfare Chief Executive Richard Lauder

For more information please contact [email protected] or phone +64 3 442 4830.

About Real Journeys
www.realjourneys.co.nz
Real Journeys is a privately-owned tourism business that was founded in 1954 by tourism and conservation pioneers Sir Les and Olive Hutchins. Today the company remains true to its founders and their guiding principles of conservation and hospitality.

Based in some of the most untouched areas of New Zealand, Real Journeys has operations from Stewart Island to Queenstown – including the Te Anau Glowworm Caves, world renowned cruises through Milford and Doubtful Sounds, the heritage steamship TSS Earnslaw and Walter Peak High Country Farm and multi-day Discovery Expeditions.

About Cardrona Alpine Resort
www.cardrona.com
Founded in 1980, Cardrona Alpine Resort is New Zealand’s most popular ski area, where everyone’s a VIP – from beginners and families, to Olympic and X Games athletes. Cardrona’s three vast basins are home to New Zealand’s first cabin-style lift – the McDougall’s Express Chondola, and the southern hemisphere’s most extensive terrain parks & pipes. Wide, open trails offer some of the country’s best snow conditions, thanks to high altitude and an innovative snow management system. Take an easy drive from Queenstown or Wanaka and be welcomed with genuine Kiwi hospitality.
In the summer months Cardrona is open for mountain biking, carting, conferences and other alpine adventure activities. Cardrona recently purchased the rights to the Soho Ski Area and intends to expand into the Soho Basin. With over 900ha of skiable terrain, Cardrona-Soho will be the largest single ski area in the country.

About Go Orange
www.goorange.co.nz
Go Orange challenges visitors to ‘Go Beyond’ the average tourist and make a deeper connection to New Zealand. With its suite of must-do adventure experiences, strong company culture, and led by Luke Taylor, (who received this year’s Tourism New Zealand Emerging Leader Award), Go Orange is fast becoming a leading adventure tourism brand in New Zealand.
The company originated as a subsidiary of Real Journeys offering a daily cruise in Fiordland in 2012. By 2017, Go Orange merged with iconic Queenstown brands Queenstown Rafting, and Kiwi Discovery, to offer rafting, kayaking, cruising, coach connections, and ski packages. The following year, Go Orange purchased well known Queenstown businesses Thunder Jet and Queenstown Water Taxis.

About International Antarctic Centre
www.iceberg.co.nz
Built in 1992, the International Antarctic Centre is a tourist attraction based in Christchurch, New Zealand, offering an interactive, immersive and fun Antarctic experience. Visitors can go through an Antarctic storm simulation with real snow and ice, an indoor/outdoor penguin viewing facility and a 4D cinema as well as travel on an all-terrain amphibious Hãgglund from Antarctica.
For animal lovers, rescued wildlife adds to the centre’s appeal. Huskies visit the centre daily and the little blue penguins in residence at the International Antarctic Centre are rescue birds that would not otherwise survive in the wild.

About Canyon Food & Brew Co.
www.canyonfoodandbrew.co.nz
Canyon Food & Brew Co. opened in June 2018 and has already won four national awards (Brewer’s Guild NZ) for its beer brewed on site by Head Brewer Jonathan Kauri. With spectacular views over the iconic Shotover River, the restaurant has a large outdoor deck overlooking the canyon, a warm fire inside and an open kitchen and brewery. Fresh flavoursome seasonal produce is served up with hand crafted beer in a relaxed, friendly vibe that’s become popular with locals and visitors alike.