|
|
Global Award for New Zealand Tourism Company
Auckland tourism company TIME Unlimited Tours has just been pronounced overall winner in the public vote section of the global Indigenous Tourism and Biodiversity Website Award 2010. The competition comprised applicants from 10 different countries around the world (Australia, Bolivia, Canada, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mexico, Micronesia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sweden).
TIME Unlimited Tours not only won this highly prestigious global award; in addition they won by a huge margin ahead of all other applicants, achieving 48.2% of all votes cast worldwide. The 2nd and 3rd-placed organisations achieved 21.1% and 9.8% respectively of votes cast.
The Indigenous Tourism and Biodiversity Website Award 2010 is a collaborative effort between Planeta.com and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity/UNEP (CBD) with the generous support of the Heidehof Foundation. It is presented to an indigenous tourism operation which has a website that promotes sustainable practices and educates visitors on cultural protocols and biodiversity conservation.
Auckland based TIME Unlimited Tours – see their website www.newzealandtours.travel - was established in 2005 by bicultural couple Ceillhe and Néill Sperath. Ceillhe Tewhare Teneti Hema Sperath is tangata whenua, a direct descendant of the famous Ngapuhi chief Patuone. Néill is tauiwi, of Irish and German origin, and a proud New Zealander by choice. Both are passionate about New Zealand and are proud parents of their daughter Danica Matariki Sperath, who was born in Auckland around Matariki (the Maori New Year) in 2009. Both are equally passionate about how New Zealand’s unique culture and environment should be shared with their guests.
TIME Unlimited Tours offers the most extensive range of high-quality guided tours available in Auckland, New Zealand. These are:
• Auckland Personal Guided Tours;
• Auckland Maori Tours;
• Interactive Maori Culture Experiences;
• Guided Wilderness Walks;
• Kayak Fishing Tours;
• Kayaking Adventures;
• Kite Fishing Tours;
• Private Auckland and NZ Tours.
TIME Unlimited Tours, says Ceillhe Sperath, is founded on three essential pou, or pillars, of Maoritanga (Maori culture); manaakitanga (hospitality), whakawhanaungatanga (relationships) and kaitiakitanga (guardianship). On their tours, Ceillhe explains, Manaakitanga translates into welcoming, respectful, caring, reliable and punctual service. Whanaungatanga means sharing experiences, finding common ground, forging links, making friends and becoming like family. Kaitiakitanga means ensuring respect, care and protection for the environment – the streets, parks and institutions, the land, beaches, sea and bush that they pass through.
The TIME in TIME Unlimited Tours is an acronym for “To Integrate Maori Experiences”. Te taha Maori, or the Maori dimension, therefore, is fundamental to their extensive range of tours and experiences. Their Interactive Marae Experiences mean total immersion in the Maori world, with Te Reo (language) and Tikanga (protocol). Their Auckland Maori Tours trace the story of Maori, along with landmarks, flora and fauna across the greater Auckland landscape and from mai rano, or prehistory, to modern times. On their Kia Ora Cuisine evenings, gourmet Kiwi cuisine and kai Maori (Maori food) specialities are served and eaten according to tikanga Maori. TIME Unlimited Tours not only reflects Aotearoa New Zealand’s bi-cultural partnership. It also nurtures and promotes, in all of its experiences, that rich dual heritage which makes this country unique.
In April 2010, TIME Unlimited Tours will receive this global tourism award at an international tourism trade fair, the Reisepavillon in Berlin, Germany. Since 1991, the Reisepavillon has been a global focal point for responsible tourism. An average of 25,000 visitors each year have an opportunity to meet competent tourism operators and practitioners in a wide-ranging programme of events (90-120 presentations, workshops and chaired discussions). On this occasion, the organisers of the Reisepavillon and leading German tourism trade associations will collaborate to assist TIME Unlimited Tours to meet with leading operators and agents dedicated to sustainable tourism. Ceillhe, Néill and Danica Matariki Sperath will be travelling to Germany to accept this award on behalf of their company TIME Unlimited Tours, Auckland and New Zealand.
Ceillhe & Neill Sperath, “Directors of TIME”, say
“We are absolutely delighted to receive such an outstanding accolade for our company. It is very humbling for us that TIME Unlimited Tours was chosen by people from around the world with such an overwhelming majority for this prestigious global award and we really look forward to travelling to Germany in April to accept it. Many thanks to all those around New Zealand and around the world that supported our application”.
TIME Unlimited Tours will now also receive technical support and participate in a workshop on innovative Web-based tools for marketing and communications, facilitated by webmaster Ron Mader. A publication on the award, its nominees and winners and the lessons learned, will be distributed at the event.
Please also refer to the TIME Unlimited Tours website www.newzealandtours.travel .
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Ceillhe & Néill Sperath
Directors of TIME Unlimited Tours
“To Integrate Maori Experiences”
Phone: +64-9-446-6677
Mobile: +64-21-574 414 or +64-274-846 369
Email: ceillhe@newzealandtours.travel
Website: www.newzealandtours.travel
ENDORSEMENTS FOR TIME UNLIMITED TOURS WINNING THE GLOBAL ITBW AWARD 2010:
Franz Staufer - President
Hotel Concierge Society Les Clefs d’Or New Zealand:
Dear Neill and Ceillhe,
I would like to congratulate you both on your recent award winning success at the global Indigenous Tourism & Biodiversity Website Award 2010.
As the President of the Hotel Concierge Society Les Clefs d’Or New Zealand which is a non-profit, non-political society that has the goal of encouraging professionalism in the tourism and service industries throughout both New Zealand and the world, this is a great achievement for both hospitality and tourism industry throughout New Zealand.
This award is just another reflection of your professional and high quality Indigenous tours.
I look forward to continuing our professional association for many more years to come.
Tim Cossar, Chief Executive Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA):
Congratulations to TIME Unlimited on their well-deserved success in winning this international award. Their win reflects Neill and Ceillhe’s commitment to sharing with visitors two of the things that make New Zealand’s tourism industry unique – our indigenous Maori culture and our world-renowned natural environment.
As more and more travellers seek information online, operators like TIME Unlimited are leading the way in showing the rest of our industry what is possible.
Geoff Penrose – CEO Qualmark New Zealand:
TIME Unlimited Tours were also recognised by Qualmark for excellence in environmental practices in 2009 as an Enviro-Silver Award winner. Qualmark CEO Geoff Penrose says this business is a good example of commitment to a journey of sustainability.
In addition to meeting Qualmark’s comprehensive quality standards and responsible tourism criteria, TIME Unlimited also meet Maori Cultural Experiences criteria, assuring authenticity on Maori tourism activities, says Mr Penrose.
“It is encouraging to see indigenous owned and operated business achieving international recognition - showcasing culturally authentic experiences to overseas visitors also concerned about their impact on the environment.”
Richard Jones - Chief Executive Poutama Maori Business Trust:
Poutama would like to congratulate TIME Unlimited Tours for winning the Indigenous Tourism & Biodiversity Website Award 2010. TIME Unlimited Tours are a highly innovative tourism business which is focused on providing unique and distinctive visitor experiences.
Pania Tyson Nathan, Chief Executive, New Zealand Maori Tourism Council:
The internationally acclaimed Indigenous Tourism & Biodiversity Website award recently won by TIME Unlimited Tours further defines this exciting Maori tourism venture as an emergent market leader. The exciting fusion of cultural, environmental and social practices within which TIME Unlimited Tours operates has clearly set them apart from their counterparts. This is the future of Maori tourism. Congratulations to TIME Unlimited Tours for this fantastic accolade which all Maori can and will be proud of.
Duane Wichman-Evans, Co-Director of Oyster Entertaiment and Deputy Chair Auckland Maori Tourism Organisation (MRTO):
We congratulate TIME Unlimited Tours for winning this prestigious award. Their passion and commitment to the NZ and Maori Indigenous tourism industry is shown through this colourful and interactive website they have designed. It supports their diversity and leadership.
Oyster Entertainment has provided entertainment services to TIME Unlimited Tours for many years and they have always presented themselves with integrity and a professional attitude. We look forward to continuing a long and fruitful relationship and believe this award will be one of many for TIME Unlimited Tours.
Te Warihi Hetaraka, Maori Master Carver, teacher, mentor and recipient of Outstanding Individual Contribution Award 2007 by Creative New Zealand:
Dear Ceillhe and Neill,
I am happy that your company TIME Unlimited Tours has won the global Indigenous Tourism & Biodiversity Website Award 2010. Your win will be of great encouragement to all Maori tourism organisations. I have no doubt that in one way or another many New Zealanders will benefit from your success.
It is with pride that I endorse your win. I believe that Maori today are in the position, and have the opportunity to develop, a unique business style that embraces the spiritual and philosophical views passed down to us from our ancestors, of the sacredness of all things and the respect we must show towards our environment and its resources that all humanity rely on for existence.
Graeme Osborne, Chief Executive Tourism Auckland
This recognition is a tribute to TIME Unlimited’s commitment and passion to all aspects of its business.
Dr Benjamin Pittman, Author of the book, PATUONE - PEACEMAKER: A LIFE IN CONTEXT. The Life and Times of a Founding Father:
I salute the success of my close relative, Ceillhe Sperath and her business partner and husband, Neill Sperath of TIME Unlimited Tours, Auckland, New Zealand, in the Indigenous Tourism and Biodiversity Website Award 2010. It is fitting that such a partnership which taps into unique tourism opportunities and experiences, should be based in Stanley Bay, Devonport where the famous Maori chief Patuone (c.1764-1872) is buried on Takarunga (Mt Victoria) and where Patuone lived much of his later life.
As a direct descendant of Patuone, Ceillhe Sperath is in a unique position to share his history and heritage with local and international clients, walking in the footsteps of our illustrious ancestor and bringing back to life his exploits and those of his younger brother, Tamati Waka Nene. Ceillhe and Neill Sperath are sustaining awareness of important aspects of New Zealand history and, it is fitting that their award will be presented in Berlin, in the capital city of one of Neill's homelands.
|