Waimarama Maori Tours Endorsed by Qualmark

23rd March 2014

Waimarama Maori Tours Awarded Visitor Activity Endorsement from Qualmark

Local cultural tourism business Waimarama Maori Tours has been awarded the Qualmark Visitor Activity Endorsement.

Qualmark is New Zealand Tourism’s official mark of quality. Tourism operators licensed to carry a Qualmark rating have been independently assessed against a series of guidelines and procedures and a Qualmark Endorsed tourism business is verified as professional and trustworthy.

Only tourism businesses that maintain the highest standards in all aspects of business practices and meet Qualmark's comprehensive assessment criteria have earned the right to carry the Qualmark - New Zealand Tourism's official quality mark. There are only 10 other activities in Hawke’s Bay that have earned the Qualmark Visitor Activity Endorsement.

“We are so proud to have attained this national benchmark. It was a lot of work, but well worth it,” says Robert MacDonald, co-owner of Waimarama Maori Tours.

“We pride ourselves on offering an intimate, unique and personal experience for all of our visitors” says Denise Prentice, co-owner of Waimarama Maori Tours “This Qualmark is an independent assurance to our visitors that they will also receive a premium tourism experience.”

Annie Dundas, General Manager Hawke’s Bay Tourism said the endorsement accolade was well deserved. “Waimarama Maori Tours offer a unique, high quality experience and it’s wonderful to see them receive a Qualmark endorsement.”

Waimarama Maori Tours started doing private individual tours in 2007 and large group tours for Cruise Ship passengers in 2008 to share local stories about the 14th century Hakikino fortress located in the hills of Waimārama. In 2012 they added the ‘Te Mata Peak and Pou Tour’ to include the stories of their people at Te Mata Peak and the recently installed Māori Carvings “Nga Pou o Heretaunga” in Civic Square, Hastings.

Other accolades for Waimarama Maori Tours include winning the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Industry Award in 2009, and the Chamber of Commerce Emerging Business Award in 2010. “We believe that going through these award applications puts us through our paces and helps our business grow and improve. To then go on and win the awards when we are up against some of the best in the business is a testament to the commitment and hard work of the staff at Waimarama Maori Tours” says Robert MacDonald.

For more information about the business and tours offered go to www.waimaramamaori.com

ENDS

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