2001 Victorian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame for Environmental Tourism

At the 2001 Victorian Tourism Awards, Polperro Dolphin Swims was announced as the winner of the Environmental Tourism category for the third year in a row. As the winner in the same category for three consecutive years, Polperro Dolphin Swims joined a select group of operators to receive a State Hall of Fame Award. Such an accolade demonstrates how a small operation with environmentally responsible business philosophies can achieve recognition and success within the highly competitive world of tourism.

When Polperro Dolphin Swims first entered the Victorian Tourism Awards, we never imagined that one day we would receive a State Hall of Fame Award. One of the reasons for this is that we have never considered ourselves a 'typical' tourism operation, as our business goals are predominantly focussed on environmental protection, education and passenger safety rather than economic returns, profits and personal gains. However, to receive such an award from a judging panel of our peers suggests that our environmentally-based business practices have a respected role to play within contemporary tourism. We therefore hope that this award will provide further evidence of how a responsible tourism operation can contribute to the long-term protection of natural attractions, such as Port Phillip Bay's marine environment and its dolphin population, and not their short-term exploitation.