42 | Auckland: Explore Group TOURISM Company gears up for upswing Explore Group is already experiencing an upswing in tourist numbers and is optimistic about the future. Karen Phelps Four generations of experience - 85 ton x 8.5m wide travel lift - Full service yard Our services include: New builds, Refits, Repairs, Maintenance, Survey work Phone – 09 425 7001 | Email – info@robertsonboats.com | Website – www.robertsonboats.com Despite Covid-19 Explore Group continues to grow. Company managing director William Goodfellow acknowledges that although the pandemic has been incredibly challenging it has also provided opportunities, which Explore Group has capitalised on. “Approximately 80% of our business pre-pandemic was international so it has certainly been tough times but we took it as an opportunity to be in the best place possible for the rebuild,” he says. Healthy structure meant Explore Group could raise capital to invest. This saw the group expand purchasing Fullers GreatSites in the Bay of Islands and also form a joint venture with Auckland iwi Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki to commence Tikapa Moana Whale & Dolphin Wildlife Cruise and Explore Motutapu in the Hauraki Gulf and, more recently, take over operations of the Tiritiri Matangi Island ferry from Fullers360, further expanding the group’s tourism services. “The wildlife cruises have been very popular. The Hauraki Gulf has resident pods of Bryde’s whales and common dolphins plus migratory species so you never know what you’ll see and we have a high success rate. Plus it’s a beautiful area regardless and a great cruise,” says William. The Tiritiri Matangi Island ferry sails from Auckland via Gulf Harbour to Tiritiri Matangi weekly Wednesday through to Sunday. “Tiritiri Matangi Island is a nature enthusiasts haven with an abundance of manu and birdlife, beaches and native forests to explore and is an important conservation project in Tikapa Moana – the Hauraki Gulf. It’s the perfect place for outdoor adventure experiences for both locals and visitors to New Zealand.” Explore Group is building a new vessel for its Auckland business to meet demand for services and offer a more comfortable experience. “It’s a beautiful boat, an amazing viewing vessel, and gives us more capacity and versatility,” says William. Explore Group also operates services in the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland, Australia “The wildlife cruises have been very popular. The Hauraki Gulf has resident pods of Bryde’s whales and common dolphins plus migratory species so you never know what you’ll see and we have a high success rate.” operating from Hamilton Island and Airlie Beach. William says keeping this business operating during the pandemic was particularly challenging as they couldn’t visit for two years but an “amazingly committed crew” kept the wheels turning and being a bigger population the domestic market remained strong even when the Queensland border closed as the Queensland population is around 5.5m. Explore Group will soon commence an overnight cruise around the Whitsunday Islands offering options of three or four nights. Explore Group is a New Zealand family owned and operated business. It started with one America’s Cup yacht based in Auckland New Zealand in 2001 offering cruises and has since expanded to become a successful multi-region and multi-product operation. William says Explore Group supports many conservation initiatives and the company is committed to preserving the areas where it operates. He says that although the tourism industry has been hit hard by the pandemic, the company is already experiencing an upswing in tourist numbers and is optimistic about the future. “Firstly Australian tourists came back and now we’re starting to see that from other countries too,” says William. “We’re realistic that numbers won’t be where they were pre-pandemic this summer but beyond this year we see things as being very positive. “We’re always looking to expand what were offering so we’re working on other opportunities at the moment and this year there will be many more unique and varied experiences. Watch this space.”
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