Waiariki MP congratulates local tourism award winner

A Maori tourism company from Tauranga who won a global award for their sustainable tourism website had to beat the best of indigenous operators to win the popular choice award, according to Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell.

 

 

 

Indigenous Trails offers a range of eco-tours which allow tourists to meet tangata whenua and get some understanding of Maori history and culture and Aotearoa’s natural heritage.

 

 

 

Their website was the popular choice in a competition sponsored by the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity, and the web-based ecotourism organisation Planeta.com.

 

 

 

Another New Zealand company, TIME Unlimited NZ Tours, was a runner-up.

 

 

 

The awards were announced at a major alternative tourism expo in Germany on Friday.

 

 

 

“This is great news for the company, for our region, and for the nation,” said Te Ururoa Flavell.

 

 

 

“Tourism is a huge industry, especially in Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty, and Maori are rapidly becoming major players. It bodes well for the future if Maori operators are gaining attention in international markets through websites that are good enough to win awards,” he said.

 

 

 

“There has been a lot of concern about the risks of a downturn in tourism following the recession. This award shows it is possible to compete successfully against stiff competition, and aim to maintain market share during difficult times.

 

 

 

“I also know that Maori tourism operators have strong networks through the industry, so hopefully some of the benefits of this exposure can be shared around a bit,” said Mr Flavell.