For the second year running, New Zealand has taken the top spot
at the prestigious Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards.
Whale Watch Kaikoura was named as overall winner at the awards
announced yesterday at the 30th anniversary of the World Travel
Market, held annually in London. They also won the marine
environment category.
YHA Wellington City was also announced as winner of the best
large hotel/accommodation category.
Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive George Hickton says, "This
is a fantastic achievement for Whale Watch Kaikoura, YHA Wellington
City and for New Zealand. Both awards are well-deserved and I hope
this recognition will encourage other New Zealand operators to make
responsible tourism part of their everyday business practices.
"Already, Whale Watch Kaikoura has been interviewed by media,
including BBC news, providing fantastic coverage for New Zealand to
millions in the UK and overseas.
"Last year, New Zealand became the first country to win the
overall award as well as 'Best Destination'. For New Zealand
operators to have featured in the Responsible Travel Awards again
this year shows our industry's strong commitment to the environment
and local communities," he says.
The panel of judges declared Whale Watch Kaikoura the overall
winner for developing a tourism initiative from the ground up. "The
founding of the enterprise by four Maori families has demonstrated
that the local Māori community can not only grow a considerable
tourism business, but, more significantly, use that business to buy
back their ancestral land for the benefit of the indigenous people
and their cultural identity," they said.
Whale Watch Kaikoura Chief Operating Officer, Kauahi Ngapora
said he was humbled on behalf of the community based operation he
leads. "To be nominated as one of the best in the world is an
honour in itself, but to then be chosen as the overall winner by
such respected judges and from among so many other world-class
organisations is a wonderful accolade."
YHA Wellington City Manager Chris Sperring says, "We made the
easy gains early on. Getting this award now is recognition of our
accumulated efforts. But it's also recognition for our young and
energetic staff and guests who are the inspiration and the answer
to our continued improvements."
The awards are nominated by tourists and recognise individuals,
companies and organisations in the travel industry that are making
a significant commitment to the culture and economies of local
communities and are providing a positive contribution to
biodiversity conservation.
The judging process includes analysis from a panel of 13 judges
including interviews and consultation from an international network
of contacts and organisations with responsible tourism expertise
and knowledge in specific destinations.
Justin Francis, founder of The Responsible Tourism Awards and
managing director of award organisers responsibletravel.com, says
despite the recession the nominations were impressive. "In this,
the sixth year of the Awards, organisations continue to come up
with innovative ideas around responsible tourism that ensure local
communities and environments benefit from tourism as much as
possible. The money may have dried out a little in the past year
but the passion, ingenuity and creativity certainly hasn't," he
said.
Founded by www.responsibletravel.com the Awards are run in
association with headline sponsor, Virgin Holidays and partners
World Travel Market, The Daily Telegraph and Geographical
Magazine.
Read the
release from last year's awards
For further information please contact:
Cas Carter, GM Corporate Communications Tourism New
Zealand
Mobile: + 64 21 915 410
Chris Sperring, Hostel Manager, YHA Wellington City
Phone +64 (0) 4 801 7280, Mobile + 64 021 141 3757
Email chris.sperring@yha.co.nz
Jon Stokes, Stokes Communications Ltd (for Whale Watch
Kaikoura)
Mobile: +64 27 612 2095, Email: jon.stokes@xtra.co.nz