Totally Tourism

What Totally Tourism does

Totally Tourism Ltd. is a privately held, founder-owned New Zealand adventure tourism group headquartered in Queenstown, operating a portfolio of seven wholly owned sub-brands across the South Island: The Helicopter Line, Milford Sound Scenic Flights, Mitre Peak Cruises, Glacier Helicopters, Harris Mountains Heli-Ski, Alpine Guides, and Challenge Rafting. The group delivers scenic helicopter flights, heli-hikes, heli-skiing, whitewater rafting, glacier landings, and Milford Sound cruise/flight combos across bases in Queenstown, Wānaka, Aoraki / Mount Cook, Franz Josef, Fox Glacier, Methven, and Milford Sound / Piopiotahi. Its core technology is a fleet of Airbus helicopters specifically configured for alpine scenic operations, custom-built cruise vessels for Milford Sound, and real-time trade partner booking systems; it holds the highest level of Civil Aviation Authority certification for scenic helicopter operations and significant Department of Conservation concessions providing access to restricted terrain.

The business operates a dual go-to-market model: a B2B trade partner portal serving travel agents, tour operators, and wholesalers with real-time availability, fast confirmations, and competitive commissions, supplemented by direct-to-consumer sales through each brand's own website, supported by social, content, and email marketing. Revenue is generated on a transaction-fee basis from tour and experience bookings, with pricing quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The customer base is fragmented international and domestic leisure travelers, plus corporate and private charter groups. Founded in 1999 by Mark Quickfall, who returned to full ownership in 2019 after a 2011 sale to Skyline Enterprises, the group employs 101–250 people and is preparing for a 2026 fleet addition (first branded T2 aircraft at Aoraki / Mount Cook) alongside a 2025 brand refresh marking 25 years of operation.

Name

Totally Tourism

Legal name

Totally Tourism Ltd.

Website

https://totallytourism.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Totally Tourism is a privately held, founder-owned New Zealand adventure tourism group operating seven South Island brands (helicopter, heli-ski, glacier, cruise, rafting, mountaineering) across Queenstown, Milford Sound, and Mount Cook, selling through B2B trade partners and direct-to-consumer channels to international and domestic leisure travelers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adventure Tourism Services

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation (487), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721), Tour Operators (561520)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Scenic & Sightseeing Helicopter Tours (THABAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Helicopter Sightseeing & Scenic Tours (TLAFACAD), Sightseeing & Scenic Boat Tours (Harbor, Sunset, Dolphin/Whale Watching) (THAJAJAA), Adventure & Outdoor Local Operators (Trekking/Safari/Diving) (THAKAEAF)

Keywords

• Adventure tourism
• Helicopter tours
• Scenic flights
• Whitewater rafting
• Heli-ski experiences

Headquarters

HQ city

Frankton

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tour and Experience Bookings: Revenue generated from selling adventure tourism experiences including helicopter flights, scenic cruises, whitewater rafting, heli-skiing, and mountaineering guiding services directly to consumers and through trade partners.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Totally Tourism operates a portfolio of seven adventure tourism brands across New Zealand's South Island, offering helicopter scenic flights, glacier landings, heli-skiing, mountaineering guiding, whitewater rafting, and Milford Sound scenic cruises. The company sells experiences directly to consumers through individual brand websites and physical operations, while also serving travel agents and tour operators through a B2B trade partner portal with real-time booking systems.

Product overview

Totally Tourism is a portfolio of seven distinct adventure tourism brands offering world-class experiences by air, land, and sea across New Zealand's South Island. The portfolio includes The Helicopter Line (scenic helicopter flights and heli adventures), Milford Sound Scenic Flights (scenic flights and cruise combos), Mitre Peak Cruises (boat cruises in Milford Sound), Glacier Helicopters (glacier exploration flights), Harris Mountains Heli-Ski (premier heli-ski experiences), Alpine Guides (mountaineering and guided glacier experiences), and Challenge Rafting (whitewater rafting). These brands operate across multiple locations including Queenstown, Wānaka, Aoraki / Mount Cook, Franz Josef, Fox Glacier, and Milford Sound / Piopiotahi, providing adventure experiences ranging from helicopter flights and glacier landings to heli-skiing, mountaineering, and whitewater rafting.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Helicopter Line: Leading locally owned helicopter operator offering breathtaking helicopter experiences showcasing New Zealand's spectacular mountain environments. Provides scenic flights, heli hikes, charters, wine & gin tours, and weddings.
• Milford Sound Scenic Flights
• Mitre Peak Cruises
• Glacier Helicopters
• Harris Mountains Heli-Ski
• Alpine Guides
• Challenge Rafting

Products and services

• The Helicopter Line New Zealand's leading locally owned helicopter operator offering scenic helicopter flights, heli hikes, charters, wine and gin tours, and weddings, operating from Queenstown, Franz Josef, Fox Glacier, and Aoraki / Mount Cook with the highest Civil Aviation Authority certification.
• Milford Sound Scenic Flights Civil Aviation Authority-approved scenic flight operator with over 40 years of operational excellence offering Fly Cruise Fly and Coach Cruise Fly combinations from Queenstown to Milford Sound / Piopiotahi. Qualmark Gold accredited.
• Mitre Peak Cruises Small group scenic cruises through Milford Sound / Piopiotahi on custom-built boats designed for intimate wildlife and scenery viewing, with options for cruise-only or cruise combined with flights from Queenstown.
• Glacier Helicopters Professional helicopter company providing scenic flights and charters over Fox, Franz Josef, and Tasman glaciers in the West Coast and Aoraki / Mount Cook region, holding the highest Civil Aviation Authority certification.
• Harris Mountains Heli-Ski Premier heli-ski operator with over 45 years of experience offering daily heli-ski experiences and private charters across Queenstown, Wānaka, and Aoraki / Mount Cook, providing access to exclusive backcountry terrain for skiers and snowboarders of various skill levels.
• Alpine Guides Professional mountain guiding company based in Aoraki Mount Cook offering climbing, mountaineering instruction, glacier heli-hikes, and backcountry ski touring with IFMGA/NZMGA qualified guides, providing access to 26 of New Zealand's 27 peaks over 3,000 meters.
• Challenge Rafting Whitewater rafting operator offering half-day trips on Queenstown's Kawarau River (grade 2-3) for first-timers and the Shotover River (grade 3-5) for thrill-seekers. Qualmark accredited and operating in association with Queenstown Rafting.
• Mount Cook Heli-Ski Heli-ski experiences across six mountain ranges with exclusive terrain in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, suitable for all ability levels.
• Southern Glacier Experience A 50-minute scenic helicopter flight through the Southern Alps departing from Queenstown.
• Tasman Glacier Heli Hike Guided 2-hour hike exploring New Zealand's longest glacier at Aoraki / Mount Cook, combining helicopter flight with guided glacier exploration.
• Fly Cruise Fly Scenic flight from Queenstown over Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks with a cruise through Milford Sound / Piopiotahi, designed as a half-day experience.
• Coach Cruise Fly Combination of scenic coach ride to Milford Sound, 2-hour cruise, and return scenic flight to Queenstown, exploring Fiordland by land, sea, and air.
• Mount Cook Spectacular Helicopter flight covering snow landings, glacier icefalls, crevasses, and neves, with views from ocean to Alps, crossing the Southern Alps and circling Aoraki / Mount Cook.
• Franz Josef Twin Glacier Exploration of both Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers from the air with additional viewing time compared to single glacier flights.
• Private Charter (Heli-Ski) Exclusive helicopter and expert guide for private groups with thousands of vertical feet of untracked snow, customizable to group ability.

Quantifiable outcome

• 45+ years of heli-ski experience with access to hundreds of peaks in eleven legendary mountain ranges
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Ōkārito Plant ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlacier Helicopters and The Helicopter Line proudly support the Ōkārito Plant Project, a local community-led initiative focused on restoring waterways, wetlands, and forests and protecting the fragile West Coast ecosystem. The project brings together businesses, visitors, landowners, and the wider community to create real, hands-on change. Native plants grown locally at the Ōkārito Nursery are returned to the land, improving biodiversity and water quality from the mountains to the sea.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Over The Top Helicopters: Queenstown-based helicopter scenic flight operator offering glacier landings, Milford Sound flyovers, and alpine experiences with a similar aircraft fleet and customer segment, directly competing with The Helicopter Line.
• Go Orange: Go Orange (part of THL) bundles Queenstown adventure activities — rafting, jet boat, cruises, kayak — competing head-on with Challenge Rafting across similar activity categories, distribution channels, and target segments.
• Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters: Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters operates scenic and glacier helicopter flights in the Queenstown and Fiordland region, directly competing with The Helicopter Line and Glacier Helicopters across overlapping route structures and customer segments.
• Southern Discoveries: Southern Discoveries operates Milford Sound cruises (including the underwater observatory) and Milford discovery products, directly competing with Mitre Peak Cruises on the same fiord itinerary and trade partner shelf space.
• Heliworks Queenstown: Heliworks is a long-established Queenstown helicopter operator running scenic flights, snow landings, and heli-ski/photography tours, directly comparable to The Helicopter Line and Harris Mountains Heli-Ski.
• RealNZ: RealNZ (formerly Real Journeys) is Real Journeys' rebrand and operates the largest fleet of Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound cruises, plus scenic flights and overnight cruises, directly competing with Mitre Peak Cruises and Milford Sound Scenic Flights across the same South Island routes and trade partner channels.

Broad incumbents

• Skyline Queenstown: Skyline Queenstown operates the iconic gondola, luge, and stargazing experiences and was the prior parent of Totally Tourism (2011-2019). It competes for the same Queenstown tourist wallet and B2B distribution shelf space.
• NZSki: NZSki operates The Remarkables, Coronet Peak, and Mt Hutt ski areas, serving overlapping South Island winter tourism demand and trade partner relationships with Harris Mountains Heli-Ski and Alpine Guides' winter products.
• Tourism Holdings Limited (THL): THL is the largest NZ tourism operator with campervan rental and adventure brands (including Go Orange). It is a broad incumbent with overlapping trade partner reach and historical ties to Mark Quickfall's career, making it a portfolio-level comparable.

Emerging players

• Skydive Queenstown: Skydive Queenstown is a niche adventure operator serving the same Queenstown international tourist base and trade partner channels, partial overlap with Totally Tourism's adventure activity portfolio in customer segment and distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/totallytourism
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/totally-tourism-limited
• Instagraminstagram.com/totallytourism

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Totally Tourism