Queenstown NZONE Skydive makes Forbes list

爱国爱港

http://www.3news.co.nz/business/queenstown-nzone-skydive-makes-forbes-list-2016011211#axzz3x16yygeV

By Brooke Hobson
Tuesday 12 Jan 2016 11:14 a.m.

A simple Google alert notified Queenstown's NZONE Skydive of its latest global achievement.

The company had been named in Forbes' top 11 places to skydive in 2016.

Just another award to add to the list for New Zealand's first skydive company to introduce tandem jumps.

"We're pretty stoked with the accolade," NZONE business development manager Derek Melnick says.

It comes after being voted number one best adventure experience in the world on Chinese trip advisor website qyer.com.

"That was a really big accolade that sits alongside with the rising Chinese market for us, which is becoming a big part of our business," Mr Melnick says.

The company has reached two major milestones within the past year – turning 25 and surpassing its 300,000th customer to fall from the sky.

"[Skydiving's] becoming something that's more and more included in travel itineraries, whereas in the past it would have been seen as something maybe a little bit more out there and optional," he says.

Free falling above Queenstown (NZONE Skydive)

Mr Melnick says his most memorable skydiving customers have been the five- and six-year-old kids who are keen to give it a go.

"There's no minimum age, if the parents are with them and they're happy to have them join them, you wouldn't believe how common an occurrence that's happening."

"It's like visiting a theme park," he says.

The company has two Cessna Grand Canyon planes that fit nine people in each, making the experience a little more enjoyable for those whose nerves get the better of them.

The parachutes are inspected every time they're packed and the rigging officially retired after 3500 jumps.

For those who are still wary about jumping from 15,000 feet, Mr Melnick says all customers jump with a reserve parachute.

"Not many adventure activities have a second option when things go wrong, you know," he says.

NZONE Skydive Queenstown's Facebook is here.

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kara

打算今年10月份去皇后镇跳伞。就选这家了。