Back in 2008, The Natural Step Canada worked with Ziptrek Ecotours in stunning Whistler, British Columbia, Canada, to help embed sustainability into their high-flying operations. Tour guides are educated in The Natural Step Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development and use the organization's science-based understanding of sustainability to educate guests. Please read our case study to learn more about Ziptrek's sustainability achievements in Whistler.

We are excited to see that Ziptrek has expanded their sustainability commitment to their global operations, including in New Zealand. Please see the following article from e-Global Travel Media announcing Ziptrek's sustainability award in New Zealand.

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As the 2010 winner of Queenstown’s coveted Chamber of Commerce Sustainability Award, Ziptrek Ecotours has wasted no time achieving its Qualmark Enviro-Gold status.

The flying fox adventure operator was recently awarded its certificate from Qualmark, New Zealand tourism’s quality watchdog, for its exceptional standards of responsible tourism and environmental practices.

To achieve an Enviro-Gold rating, Ziptrek was assessed in five key action areas focusing on energy efficiency, waste management, water conservation, community activities and conservation initiatives.

Ziptrek Ecotours General Manager Stu Cordelle said the company was designed as a business, through principles of sustainability. Through this there is a strong focus on driving eco-initiatives and supporting sustainable projects in the community and further afield.

“Ziptrek is a company that lives and breathes sustainability and our staff actively educate and explain this as part of the tour experience. Informing guests and our community of the measures that we have put in place is a key part our business model and that’s why we’re all very proud to achieve this Enviro-Gold standard.”

Ziptrek educates its workforce using the framework of The Natural Step – a scientific model for practising sustainability within any organisation – and they in turn share this information with guests as part of their interpretive tour.

As part of its Kea 6-line Tour the company also developed a stunning 20-minute Tiki Trail through the ancient native beech forest on Bob’s Peak, high above Queenstown. The track was specially gifted to the community from Ziptrek and can be accessed from the bottom of the Skyline Gondolas.

Just recently Ziptrek tour guide Dave Mahoney launched a sustainable community project to benefit a school in Laos, South East Asia. The project aims to introduce sustainable waste, energy and water micro-projects to the school by donating funds raised through selling native New Zealand plants to the Queenstown community.

For more information on the sustainable endeavours and initiatives undertaken by Ziptrek Ecotours please visit www.facebook.com/ZiptrekNZ