Following on from recent wins at both the Whitsunday and Queensland Tourism Awards, Ocean Rafting has more gongs to add to the cabinet after winning three awards at the 2019 Adventure Tourism Awards last Thursday night.

Now in its second year, the 2019 Adventure Tourism Awards has proved itself a valuable event to showcase outstanding businesses within this important sector across Australia and New Zealand, with businesses both large and small recognised for their achievements across 34 categories.

Ocean Rafting won silver for Eco and Sustainability, bronze for the Best Activity in Queensland and bronze for the Best Activity in Australia. The Whitsundays also won silver for the Best Youth/Adventure Marketed Destination and Ocean Rafting’s sister company, Ocean Safari, based in Tropical North Queensland won two silver awards on the night.

Ocean Rafting’s Sales Captain, Nathan Fleming, attended the evening which celebrated not only adventure operators throughout the country, but also from the Whitsundays, with this market making a significant contribution to the region.

“We are very proud of not only our team, but of all the other winners and adventure operators, especially the other Whitsunday winners, Whitsundays Sailing Adventures, True Blue Sailing, Prosail Whitsundays, Sailing Whitsundays and Tourism Whitsundays.  This is an important market for our industry and it was great to come together and celebrate everyone’s commitment to youth and adventure tourism. Congratulations to everyone and thank you once again to everyone for their support,” said Nathan.

The event is organised by Adventure Queensland (AQ), the peak backpacking and independent travel industry body for Queensland, who last year identified the need for industry collaboration within the Australian and New Zealand youth tourism sector. Working alongside Backpacker Operators Association NSW (BOA) and the Backpacker Youth Tourism Advisory Panel (BYTAP), the Adventure Tourism Awards provided an opportunity for industry members to come together and celebrate outstanding contribution and excellence.

2018/19 Vice President of Adventure Queensland, Anita Butler said that it was great to see over 350 people celebrating the 2019 Youth Tourism Conference and 2019 Adventure Tourism Awards and support each other’s hard work and success.

“The Adventure Tourism sector is a vital part of the Australian and New Zealand tourism offering. These awards are made extra special with the inclusion of 30% consumer voting and the expert individual judging panel weighted evenly for the remaining 70% of final scoring.”

“The awards recognise the best of the best in travel agencies, tour/activity, innovation, cultural tourism, sustainability and accommodation. Entrants were judged based on their individual points of difference, unique selling points, customer reviews, business achievements and their links to the Adventure Tourism industry.”

“Congratulations to all the finalists and winners of the night. Your passion and commitment for our segment is evident and the achievement is so very well deserved!” Anita said.

Whitsunday tour operator, Ocean Rafting, won both a silver and bronze award at the Queensland Tourism Awards 2019 held on the Sunshine Coast on Friday night, winning the awards for the Major Tour and Transport Operator and Adventure Tourism categories respectively. The win follows recent success at the Whitsunday Tourism Awards, where Ocean Rafting won gold in the Adventure Tourism category. Sister company, Ocean Safari, based in Cape Tribulation, also came home with a bronze award in the Tour and Transport Operator category, bringing the tally to three gongs on the night.

Owners Peter and Jan Claxton attended the Queensland Tourism Awards 2019 ceremony and spoke proudly of their achievements in the three different categories. “We are so full of pride for our teams in both the Whitsundays and Cape Tribulation and they are such an integral part of the business.  Both Ocean Rafting and Ocean Safari offer such unique experiences for guests and they are constantly evolving and growing. Our staff play such a big part in all of this and absolutely love what they do and the beautiful natural playgrounds they visit every day,” said Ms Claxton.

“While there has still been challenges for many tourism operators this year, it was wonderful to see so many Queensland tourism businesses come together to celebrate what this beautiful state has to offer and we pass on our congratulations to all the other winners and finalists.”

It has been another big year of growth for both Ocean Rafting and Ocean Safari. Ocean Rafting launched new aviation experiences and welcomed its seventh vessel, while Ocean Safari has continued to develop its land based operations, Safari Lodge and the Turtle Rock Café, to complement their Great Barrier Reef adventure, encompassing an entire Daintree rainforest retreat for guests to eat, stay and play.

“After 22 years operating Ocean Rafting and 11 years operating Ocean Safari, we are still growing and have another exciting year ahead with many new developments in the pipeline.  We would really like to thank everyone for supporting us over the years,” said Ms Claxton.

Ocean conservation group Parley For The Oceans and Whitsunday Tour Operator, Ocean Rafting, collected over 800kg of washed-up marine debris from what seemed to be clean beaches on the central and southern island of the Whitsundays.

Fuel drums, fishing rope, bleach bottles, toothbrushes and bottle caps were the most common items found during a marine debris interception event organised by Parley Australia, and eco tour operator Ocean Rafting.

The collaboration team focused on islands that are harder to access for locals and smaller boat operations and that are especially exposed to the south-easterly winds.

“Seeing all this rubbish piled on the back of our boat and knowing it no longer harms these fragile ecosystems on and around the islands makes me incredibly happy and proud”, said Cole Claxton, Project Manager, Ocean Rafting. “At the same time, it makes me sad to think what would happen if we didn’t get in there and remove these harmful materials”, he adds.

Over two days, 20 volunteers and staff went to some of the most untouched islands of the Whitsundays, only to find that the islands were not so untouched after all.

“The beaches looked clean at first sight. But when we looked beyond the high tide line, into the vegetation and especially along the creek beds, plastic was everywhere”, said Christian Miller, director of Parley Australia. “It is devastating to see that even an iconic and well-looked after place like the Whitsundays isn’t spared the effects of our global plastic epidemic”.

It is understood that the southern equatorial current carries marine debris from South America, South-East Asia and foreign cargo ships in the waters in between, down along the eastern coast of Australia. Tradewinds catch the current and push the debris across to the islands and coastlines of the Australian east coast.

The group collected 600kg off only 1km of coastline on Shaw Island and 200kg off four beaches of Haslewood Island. The group also stopped by at Whitehaven Beach to confirm that it was the cleanest of them all. This can be attributed to the decade-long efforts by Eco Barge Clean Seas, who are regularly collecting marine debris from the beaches of the Whitsundays.

“It becomes obvious that the further we go from popular tourist spots, the more marine pollution we see. Therefore, our message can’t be clearer: just because we can’t see the pollution on our favourite beaches doesn’t mean we can ignore the problem. The pollution is where our ecosystems should be most undisturbed”, said Maren Eibner, Co-Director of Parley Australia. “This is not a local problem, it’s a global one”.

The group’s most surprising find was a traditional Indonesian spearfishing fin, hand-made from an old plastic drum, clearly indicating its long journey across the Indo-Pacific Ocean.

The group also found countless foreign bleach bottles, which are specifically used in the waters of Papua New Guinea and Indonesia to stun and live-catch fish, harming corals and other organisms with the aggressive chemical sodium hypochlorite.

“We couldn’t do what we are doing globally without the help of other not-for-profits like Eco Barge Clean Seas, environmentally conscious businesses like Ocean Rafting and the heroic efforts of volunteers. Bit by bit we are creating a voice for the oceans. One collaboration at a time”, Mr Miller says. “I know one day we will look back and say ‘we did it’”.

Asked how people can get involved in the movement, Mr Miller responds: “Pick your own battle and challenge yourself. Select an item in your daily life that you know isn’t good for the environment and cut it out, compliment businesses that support this movement, and speak up when you find unnecessary packaging and single use plastics. Organise your own beach cleanup in your community. Engage your kids and teach them the importance of our oceans. The actions we can take are manifold”.

About

Parley Australia

Parley is the space where creators, thinkers and leaders come together to raise awareness for the beauty and fragility of our oceans and collaborate on projects that can end their destruction.

We believe the power for change lies in the hands of the consumer – given we all have a choice – and the power to shape this new consumer mindset lies in the hands of the creative industries.

To succeed, we need to find ways to synchronise the economic system of humankind with the ecosystem of nature. And make environmental protection fiscally lucrative for pacesetting major companies. 

Ocean Rafting

Ocean Rafting offers two exciting day tour adventures, the Northern Exposure and Southern Lights, as well as a range of unique packages, with each tour offering an exhilarating ride to Whitehaven Beach, pristine snorkelling reefs and guided National Parks walks.  Ocean Rafting offers the ultimate access to Hill Inlet and special snorkelling sites ensure a memorable underwater experience.  Rated in the top 10 experiences in Australia on TripAdvisor and as a multi Australia Tourism Award winner, Ocean Rafting offers personalised service while exploring amazing Whitsunday destinations.

Ocean Rafting has Advanced Ecotourism Certification and is a Green Travel Leader and a Climate Change Innovator. This year Ocean Rafting was entered into the coveted Ecotourism Australia Hall of Fame for being continuously certified for 20 years or longer.  There are only 14 operators Australia-wide who have been acknowledged with this achievement, with Ocean Rafting being the only one in the Whitsundays.

Ocean Rafting, enjoyed success on Saturday night at the glamorous 2019 Whitsunday Tourism Awards held on Daydream Island. Ocean Rafting scored two gongs, taking home the gold award in the Adventure Tourism category, as well as the coveted People’s Choice Award at the gala industry awards.

Ocean Rafting owner, Jan Claxton, was ecstatic to receive both awards which was proudly shared with staff on the night.   

“We are incredibly excited to have won both of these awards.  The Adventure Tourism Award is a true reflection of our product, which offers everyone from backpackers to families, the adventure of a lifetime around the beautiful Whitsunday Islands, surfing the waves and feeling the rush on the boats we have designed especially for this purpose.  The People’s Choice Award was won based on voting from our guests and industry colleagues and the recognition is a testament to our team and our product, so we couldn’t be any prouder,” said Jan.

It has been another big year for Ocean Rafting after welcoming its seventh and newest vessel, increasing Ocean Rafting’s fleet to seven vessels and offering an additional capacity of 32 guests, bringing the total number of guests Ocean Rafting can now carry up to 206 daily, while still offering personalised service on each boat.  Another development in the past year was the launch of Ocean Rafting’s new aviation experiences, including the new Fly and Raft package and 60-minute stand-alone scenic flights. The Fly and Raft package offers the best of the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef in one day with a 60 minute scenic flight following by an Ocean Rafting adventure.

Ocean Rafting is now in its 22nd year of operation and is recognised as one of the original and most awarded tourism products in the Whitsundays. The company’s growth is continuing with an eighth vessel currently under construction.

“Our team is a big part of our growth and what makes Ocean Rafting what it is.  As proud environmental ambassadors, they teach our guests through interactive reef interpretation and encourage them to be inspired by nature.  Within our team we have accredited GBRMPA Master Reef Guides, Marine Biologists, as well as foreign speaking Eco Hosts,” said Jan.

Ocean Rafting has Advanced Ecotourism Certification and is a Green Travel Leader and a Climate Change Innovator. This year Ocean Rafting was entered into the coveted Ecotourism Australia Hall of Fame for being continuously certified for 20 years or longer. There are only 14 operators Australia-wide who have been acknowledged with this achievement, with Ocean Rafting being the only one in the Whitsundays.

“Apart from our team, we would like to thank everyone who supports us, including local agents, industry partners and our guests and we also extend a big congratulations to all the other 2019 Whitsunday Tourism Awards winners on the night,” said Jan.

Ocean Rafting operates two exciting day tour options to some of the Whitsunday’s most desirable destinations. The Northern Exposure and Southern Lights tours are both fully guided and include an exhilarating ride to Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, pristine snorkelling reefs and guided Whitsunday Island National Parks walks.  Ocean Rafting has special permits allowing access to Hill Inlet beach itself, which adds to the uniqueness of the tours, being the only operator offering lunch and time to relax on the famous sands of Hill Inlet.

The Ocean Rafting team are proud to congratulate Skipper and Environmental Manager, James Unsworth, on becoming an accredited Master Reef Guide.

Master Reef Guides are recognised as the world’s leading reef guides, interpreters and story tellers, sharing the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. These reef ambassadors provide up to date information on the reef, share stories of the magical World Heritage Area and explain what guests can do to make a difference.

The Master Reef Guide program is delivered by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators and Tourism and Events Queensland, and is the first of its kind for the reef.

James underwent a rigorous selection process and in-depth training and field course, training with national and international experts who are leaders in a variety of different fields.  James now has access to information and skill sharing opportunities through a private guiding network and will proudly wear the distinctive professional uniform that will identify him as a leader in the Great Barrier Reef tourism industry.

Along with his fellow guides, James will become the voice of the Great Barrier Reef. 

James also holds a Geography and Ocean Science degree which encompasses all things ocean, from coastal morphology and tidal systems to marine biology and global ocean patterns providing him with a comprehensive understanding of the ocean system.

“I am so fortunate to work in the beautiful Whitsundays. I’m able to appreciate this amazing ecosystem as my nine-to-five, but I have also become incredibly aware of the stresses that the Great Barrier Reef faces. Despite these challenges I have been amazed by the reef’s resilience and the progress seen every day post Cyclone Debbie. I believe that education is at the heart of managing the stresses seen on the reef and with access to over 200 tourists a day, Ocean Rafting is the perfect platform to educate people from all over the globe on these impacts while showcasing the fringing reefs throughout the Whitsundays,” said James.

As part of his role with Ocean Rafting, James also conducts weekly Eye On The Reef surveys for GBRMPA and is involved in the reef restoration project in Mantaray Bay.

“I hope to use my influence as an eco-host to help maintain this incredible part of the world for future generations to enjoy,” said James.

James and the Ocean Rafting team are passionate environmental ambassadors, committed to sustainability and minimising threats to the Great Barrier Reef’s health, proudly presenting the values of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area to visitors and investing in important environmental initiatives.

Ocean Rafting was recently inducted into the coveted Ecotourism Australia Hall of Fame for being continuously certified for 20 years or longer.  There were only 14 operators Australia-wide who have been acknowledged with this achievement, with Ocean Rafting being the only one in the Whitsundays.