Kiwi Experience is New Zealand’s only dedicated Hop On Hop Off and Small Group Operator. We have been running for over 34 years and in that time we have showcased the best that New Zealand has to offer to hundreds of thousands of travellers from all over the world. Our local Driver Guides bring N.Z to life and ensure that our customers have the best experiences available. We offer the freedom and flexibility of independent travel with the safety and organisation of group touring. It’s independent travel with a safety net.

1. To add to the above, can you elaborate a little more on who you are and how Kiwi Experience started?

It was 28 October 1989, with a full bus of likeminded travellers when the first Kiwi Experience trip departed to explore New Zealand. With that, Hop-on- Hop-off bus travel was born. We have grown significantly over our 30-plus years, welcoming over 500,000 travellers from all over the globe onboard the Kiwi Experience bus to craft their own Kiwi Experience. Today Kiwi Experience offers our customers multiple travel styles, including Hop-On Hop-Off flexible travel, fixed dated Small Group Tours, Private Tours and Snow packages.

2. You have been in business for many years – how do you think you have had to adapt to changing travel trends and stay relevant in the youth travel industry?

You definitely have to keep your finger on the pulse in the youth market. With the introduction of social media and influencers, we have had to ensure that we constantly evolving our products to suit the needs of the market, whether that be a new location or the newest adrenaline related activity. Post-covid travel has seen a big demand for eco/culture-based activities which is great, as that has been an area of the business that we have focused on during the pandemic. We have adjusted our itineries and activities to cater for this change in trend and we are seeing some great results.

3. Sustainable travel is also growing trend. What approach do you employ to engage with your guests or travellers on these matters?

Our ‘’Green not Mean’’ approach sees us leasing our coaches to ensure they are as efficient as possible with regards to CO2 emissions. We have even adjusted the fuel injection to reduce our emissions further. We also encourage our customers to get involved with regular beach clean ups and we support great causes like the National Kiwi Hatchery centre. We are currently issuing all customers with a reusable tote bag and we have reusable coffee cups stationed at various locations of the network to reduce the use of single use plastics. What’s more, THL (our parent company) is one of the founding members of the Tiaki Promise. We have more initiatives being released over the next few months, so watch this space!!!

4. What sets Kiwi Experience apart from its competitors?

Kiwi Experience is the only guided Hop On Hop off service in N.Z that offers the budget minded traveller the best of both worlds, having the freedom and flexibility of independent travel, with also having the safety net of a local Driver Guide to provide assistance when required and to fill you up on the local history, culture and the latest local information. If you have customers that would like to have a fixed dated departure and a few more inclusions, we have them covered to with our budget friendly Small Group Touring products which cover all of N.Z.