Real Journeys rated "Enviro-Silver"

Media Release
7 October 2008

Real Journeys awarded new “green” qualification

Real Journeys is among the first tourism operators in New Zealand to be assessed under the new “Qualmark Green” environmental criteria, achieving an “Enviro-Silver” rating.

The Enviro-Silver award means Real Journeys is operating at one of the top levels of environmental performance as assessed in Qualmark’s new Responsible Tourism Operations criteria.

Qualmark chief executive Geoff Penrose said the Enviro-Silver rating reflected Real Journeys’ commitment to both environmental and social responsibility. “Real Journeys has gone beyond meeting ‘minimum requirements’ in this area – including monitoring, managing and improving fuel efficiency across their transport fleet, re-using waste engine oil to heat one of their workshops, composting organic waste at Walter Peak High Country Farm and contributing to a number of conservation initiatives.”

The Qualmark Green environmental assessment criteria were launched earlier this year as an extension of Qualmark’s existing quality accreditation system. All Qualmark assessments now include “Responsible Tourism Operations” criteria. 

High performers are eligible to apply to use a logo that represents three levels of environmental performance – Enviro-Gold, Enviro-Silver and Enviro-Bronze.

Real Journeys CEO Dave Hawkey said achieving an Enviro-Silver rating was a significant step for the company. He said Real Journeys had always been actively involved in conservation.

“This rating is important to us because it’s an independent endorsement of how we operate - not just in terms of our conservation activities, but also in terms of our efforts to minimise impacts on the environment.”

Note: At the 2008 New Zealand Tourism Awards, Real Journeys was a finalist in the Department of Conservation’s Conservation in Action Award and won the NZ Trade & Enterprise Award. In the previous year, Real Journeys won both the Conservation in Action Award and the Qualmark Mark of Quality Award.

Media release prepared by:

Diana McCurdy, Real Journeys Marketing Communications Manager
Tel 03 442 4830
Email dmccurdy@realjourneys.co.nz

For further comment, please contact:

Real Journeys CEO Dave Hawkey
Tel 03 249 8627 or 027 233 7931
Email dhawkey@realjourneys.co.nz