Trips and Tramps
Trips & Tramps“Getting our name out there is a very important part of our marketing plan, and the value of these social media sites is well recognised,” says Kate Norris, who manages and owns Trips & Tramps with husband Steve. “It costs us nothing and can have a huge impact. Our guides actively encourage comments and feedback on internet sites.” Trips & Tramps runs day tours to Milford Sound and guided day walks in Fiordland. Late last year the business expanded considerably after it bought local kayaking operation Fiordland Wilderness Experiences. Kate says while it has been very intensive merging the two operations, it gives them more options to offer visitors, and makes good economy of scale and marketing sense. The purchase of Fiordland Wilderness Experiences marked the start of a big 12 months, with Steve winning the Southland Individual Service to Conservation Award and being named Destination Fiordland tourism personality of the year. Praise for the Trips & Tramps guides is a recurrent theme in online traveller reviews, and Kate says great staff are vital to their success. “We draw employees from our local community who have a genuine interest in the outdoor environment and passion for the area. Most will be involved in their spare time volunteering for a variety of conservation projects --.conservation and a focus on the environment is important for us as a business and underpins all our operations where possible.” The business has just moved into a new depot, purpose built to accommodate the merged operations and cater for what will hopefully be a busy summer. “We understand we are operating in challenging times, “says Kate, “but overall our mood is positive.” |
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