World accolade for Whale Watch

Whale Watch Kaikoura was named overall winner of the Responsible Tourism Award 2009 at an awards ceremony held as part of World Responsible Tourism Day at the World Travel Market in London last week.

The whale-watching company won the supreme prize at the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards last Tuesday after taking top honours in the Best in a marine environment category.

Whale Watch Kaikoura chief operating officer Kauahi Ngapora, who attended the ceremony, said it was an honour to represent New Zealand at the prestigious awards.

He described the awards as the "Oscars" of responsible tourism.

Speaking from London after receiving the award, Mr Ngapora said, "We were rapt being a finalist. Over the moon to win our category but to be the overall winner is just shocking."

He said winning the award gave the business global recognition with the BBC and the Daily Telegraph just two of several media companies chasing him.

"This achievement further endorses Whale Watch Kaikoura's commitment to responsible and sustainable tourism and to the five Cs which underpin our business decision-making, conservation, community, culture, customer and company."

Whale Watch Kaikoura was one of 35 organisations shortlisted for the honours and one of hundreds from throughout the world nominated for the prestigious awards.

The Kaikoura operation edged out tourism giants and fellow finalists, including the City of Cape Town, Royal Caribbean Cruises and SeaFrance.

Kaikoura District Council mayor Kevin Heays said it was a "bloody marvellous" achievement for the tourism venture. He said the company deserved to win as it had been a leader in responsible tourism since it started in 1987.

Mr Heays said it was a great coup for Whale Watch as well as the town and the region.

"We know they have been internationally recognised for a long time now so this is one more notch in their belt."

Whale Watch Kaikoura chairman Wally Stone was also at the event and said it was a pleasing sign that the sustainable and responsible message had been embraced enthusiastically by so many operators and tourists around the world.

"Whale Watch Kaikoura founder Bill Solomon instilled a deep respect for the environment and a strong sense of community in our organisation from our first day of operation.

"It is a deep respect for the environment that embraces responsibility for the protection and nurturing of our natural resources to ensure they remain gifts we can continue share."

This year the company expects to take more than 100,000 people on whale-watching trips.

Whale Watch Kaikoura has won several awards in the past including Champion Canterbury Awards - Champion Host 2003; Australian Effects and Animation Festival Awards - Education and Training 2003; Tourism Industry Association - New Zealand Tourism Operator of the Decade 2001; Pacific Asia Travel Association Gold Award 2000; Green Globe Achievement Award with Distinction 1997; Kaikoura Tourism Award 1995; British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow Award 1994; New Zealand Tourist Industry Federation Award 1990.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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