Local business wins travellers’ hearts

MEDIA RELEASE

12 December 2013

Local business wins travellers’ hearts

Akaroa Dolphins has won a national award for the top dolphin watching experience. Their harbour cruise was voted the best in New Zealand in this year’s Rankers Awards.

The Rankers Awards are based on independent reviews posted to www.rankers.co.nz by local and international tourists. Akaroa Dolphins beat 19 other operators in their category to claim the title of best Dolphin Watching experience in New Zealand in 2013.

Rankers co-owner Cymen Crick says the Rankers Awards have been running for five years, with over 4,000 experiences and 8,000 votes cast to find this year’s winners.

"We meet travellers person to person, as they explore NZ and ask them about their experiences here. All tourism companies for each category are eligible. No-one pays to participate, everyone is in. Some of this year’s winners hadn't even heard of Rankers", she says.

Akaroa Dolphins owners Hugh and Pip Waghorn, and Craig and Georgie Rhodes are proud to win the award. They believe it shows small tourism operators can compete on a national scale.

“We love showing visitors our special part of the world, and they love coming out on the boat to see the Hector’s dolphins. We pride ourselves on offering a quality visitor experience so it’s fantastic to be recognized for that”.

Akaroa Dolphins operate dolphin watching cruises in the Akaroa Harbour year-round. For more information, see www.akaroadolphins.co.nz.

ENDS

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