Whale Watch Kaikoura venture 'best in world'

BY RACHEL YOUNG AND EMMA DANGERFIELD

Whale Watch Kaikoura has won the top award at the "Oscars" of responsible tourism in London.

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

The awards are part of World Responsible Tourism Day at the World Travel Market in London.

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 this morning, 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 is owned and operated by the Kati Kuri hapu, a sub-tribe of the South Island's larger Ngai Tahu iwi.

It takes daily tours off the coast of Kaikoura to spot the region's resident sperm whales, which are the biggest of the toothed whales and the world's largest carnivore.

During tours, the boat can also encounter New Zealand fur seals, pods of dusky dolphins and the endangered wandering albatross.

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

Whale Watch Kaikoura was one of 35 organisations shortlisted for the honours and among hundreds 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 has won several awards in the past including Champion Host 2003 at the Champion Canterbury Awards and New Zealand Tourism Operator of the Decade in 2001.

ROLL OF HONOUR

Other awards won by Whale Watch:

2003: Champion Canterbury Awards - Champion Host

2003 2003: Australian Effects and Animation Festival Awards - Education&Training 2001: Tourism Industry Association - New Zealand Tourism Operator of the Decade

2000: Pacific Asia Travel Association Gold Award

1997: Green Globe Achievement Award with Distinction

1995: Kaikoura Tourism Award

1994:British Airways Tourism for Tomorrow Award

1990: New Zealand Tourist Industry Federation Award

- The Marlborough Express