Boutique winery is Norfolk Island’s Tourism Champion for 2008

Picture shows Rod and Noelene McAlpine after receiving the 2008 Norfolk Island Tourism Champion Award for their victorious Two Chimneys Winery.  The award was sponsored by the island’s home-based airline, Norfolk Air.

 
When tourism is responsible for more than 90 per cent of your economy, you have to take a commitment to excellence in the sector seriously. That’s why more than 10 per cent of Norfolk Island’s population turned out for a glittering night of nights at their second annual tourism awards last night.

Overall winner of the Tourism Champion Award 2008 was the boutique Two Chimneys Winery awarded for their innovative approach in developing a fledgling wine industry for the island, complemented by their development of exquisite platters comprised of local produce and delicacies. The winery also took out the Tourism Support Services Award.

The island’s growing list of boutique luxury accommodation was recognised with Christian’s of Bucks Point taking out the luxury accommodation category for the second year running, Governor’s Lodge Resort claiming the deluxe accommodation slot, and Bligh Court Holiday Cottages the standard category.

With more than 35 eateries, Norfolk Island is continuously developing local seasonal dishes, and the hotly contested formal dining category was won by the high quality Garrison Restaurant while Café Tempo took out the gong in the highly competitive Casual Dining section. 

Norfolk Island has more than 65 activities available, from World Heritage nominated history to world class fishing, diving and cultural activities related to the island’s descendants of the Bounty Mutineers and their Tahitian wives. With such a wide range of activities, the category of tour operators presented the judges with a difficult choice. This category was taken out by Baunti Escapes for their range of niche tours developed for the island’s emerging baby boomer markets.

With Norfolk Island heavily engaged with the wholesale tourism industry, the award for the Wholesaler category recognises innovation and an entrepreneurial approach to marketing the island. Brisbane-based Norfolk and Pacific Holidays was placed first among the eleven submissions.  

Other second time winners were Fletcher’s Mutiny Cyclorama in the environment, history and heritage category, Borry’s Rental Cars in the transportation sector, Norfolk Online in the marketing and promotion category, and the stylish Jendi Boutique in the retail division for its exciting range of designer labels.

Top festival and event for 2008 was the Norfolk Island Golf Classic, now in its 21st year; best new business was 2899 Design, a new publishing and design company set up by local photographer Rob Nisbet; while the Customer Service award went to accomplished artist/weaver/entertainer Maev Hitch, a direct descendant of the Bounty mutineers.

More than 40 businesses submitted entries in the awards, set up by Norfolk Island Tourism to encourage higher standards and recognise tourism as the island’s major export earner.  Judging was carried out by independent, off island experts to ensure impartiality.