1999 Ansett Australia Victorian Tourism Awards

by Jim Curtis

Polperro Dolphin Swims was the winner of the Environmental Tourism category at the 1999 Ansett Australia Victorian Tourism Awards. The win illustrates how a small operation with environmentally responsible business philosophies can achieve success and excellence within the competitive world of tourism. While other operations may concentrate on maximising visitor numbers and profits, our main priority has always been to provide a high quality tourist product and service that is renowned for its educational, safety and conservation values. Personal financial gains are a secondary consideration. The greatest reward we receive is the genuine pleasure of providing people with an experience that is becoming increasingly rare in the modern world, and that is the opportunity to interact with a wild animal in its own natural environment. There are no artificial enticements or physical barriers, just a sense of trust between two species. It is this unique relationship that we are committed to preserving, and we hope to achieve this by continuing to be an active participant in campaigns to protect Port Phillip Bay's marine environment and its population of bottlenose dolphins. Given that we rely on these natural attractions for our success, we believe that we have a duty to ensure that tourism contributes to their long-term protection rather than their short-term exploitation. Our recognition at this year's awards is therefore probably a timely reminder that although Victoria is experiencing a period of tourism growth, embracing concepts of sustainability and education will also be essential to the state's future as a tourist destination. Polperro Dolphin Swims will now proudly represent Victoria in the Environmental Tourism category at the 1999 Australian Tourism Awards in November.