Black Cat scoops awards

South Island tourism company Black Cat Cruises last night won the overall award at the Tourism Industry Association's annual awards ceremony.

The Lyttelton and Akaroa-based company also won the leisure activity category, the visitor activities and attractions award, and the Green Globe 21 award for environmental standards. Managing director Paul Bingham won the Pacific Asia Travel Association Young Tourism Professional Award.

Established in 1985 as Akaroa Harbour Cruises, the company changed its name in 1999 when it extended its services to Lyttelton Harbour. It employs 22 fulltime staff, carries 95,000 people a year and has increased its fleet from three to six vessels in the past three years.

The association received about 100 entries for the awards, which were announced at a dinner attended by several hundred tourism operators at the end of the association's annual conference.

Association chief executive John Moriarty said award winners gained recognition and a higher profile for their businesses.

The Mecure Grand Hotel St Moritz won the category award for major hotels and resorts, and the major category award for visitor accommodation and transportation. The Hokitika Wildfoods Festival 2002 won an award for innovation in events and the major tourism innovator award.

Auckland and Wellington-based Travel Careers and Training was the major category winner for tourism services.