The half-million-dollar system provides a greater interactive experience for Shotover Jet customers to take away or share online.
Shotover Jet general manager Clark Scott said the Queenstown-based company and long-time tourism digital media partner Magic Memories had spent the past two years developing the jet cam, which wirelessly transferred real-time footage instantly from each boat to the production room, meaning it was on screen by the time customers stepped off the boat.
The technology complemented a Web 2.0 platform which linked video and photos to create a seamlessly integrated e-story.
Customers could access their e-story online and share it through social media websites for others to view, and the technology was "100% customer focused and driven", he said.
"Our research shows that customers ideally want a video as a way of reliving the speed and exhilaration of the world's most exciting jet-boat ride.
"The front and rear footage captures aspects of the experience that customers couldn't otherwise access.
"The unexpected upside is that our sales area has now turned into a much more vibrant entertaining area with lots of laughter as customers watch themselves on screen enjoying the thrill of the ride.
"This has ultimately generated an increase in sales and customer satisfaction."
Magic Memories director John Wikstrom said the past two years of the seven-year partnership with Shotover Jet had been spent developing and rigorously testing the jet cam.
"We needed to ensure the jet cam was tough enough to withstand all conditions, particularly the wet and the vibration, and guarantee reliability trip after trip.
"The innovation of the jet cam has also been recognised by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and we've received a $60,000 grant towards developing the new technology."
Mr Scott said the partnership and trust between the two companies had made the process far easier than it might have otherwise been.
"When I told John what we wanted, he said . . . Magic Memories could deliver it and they did.
"It means that we're now providing more than the world's most exciting boat ride.
We're offering a total Shotover Jet immersion experience that starts the moment the customer steps on to the bus and lasts well into the future.
"We're constantly upgrading hardware and tweaking the experiences we offer at Shotover Jet.
"Our aim is to exceed expectations of our customers while continually improving the quality of their experience.
"If we keep improving things, we keep our product fresh and our staff motivated and proud while ensuring we remain a profitable organisation."
