Two multi award winning Whitsunday tour operators ranked in the top 1% of tourism businesses around the world, having been awarded 2020 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Award for the Top 10 Experiences in Australia.
Two of the Whitsundays’ most popular tour operators, Ocean Rafting and Whitsunday Jetski Tours, have been recognised as 2020 Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best award winners for the Top 10 Experiences in Australia, ranking 6th and 7th respectively. As the only Whitsunday operators, and of only four in Queensland, this accolade means that not only are they in the Top 10 Experiences in Australia, based on a full year of exceptional Tripadvisor reviews, prior to any changes caused by the pandemic, they are also ranked in the top 1% of tourism businesses around the world as travellers’ ultimate favourites.
Both businesses are locally owned and family operated, with Ocean Rafting owned by Peter and Jan Claxton and Whitsunday Jetski Tours owned by Steve and Toni Ward. This year’s recognition solidifies last year’s success in the same category when Whitsunday Jetski Tours was recognised as the number one tourism experience in Australia and Ocean Rafting landed in the number seven position.
Ocean Rafting has been owned by Peter and Jan since 2001 and Whitsunday Jetski Tours recently celebrated 10 years of operation in August. Both companies have won multiple tourism awards on a local, state and national level, and over the years have consistently continued to sustainably operate and grow through both positive and challenging periods.
Whitsunday Jetski Tours owner, Toni Ward, said, “Being acknowledged once again in the top 10 experiences in the whole of Australia and top 1% in the world is such an incredible achievement for our family run business. We have actually sat at the number one position for tours in the Whitsundays on TripAdvisor for most of the past seven years, so the feedback we have received from guests has been amazing. The whole team put their heart and soul into the business, so that we always exceed guests’ expectations and provide exceptional service, along with a quality product, which we will never compromise on. Given the current circumstances, we are also looking to enhance and diversify the business over the next few months with some exciting new developments in the pipeline.”
Ocean Rafting owner, Jan Claxton, added, “After operating in the Whitsundays for so many years, we have a three-generational family business that we have streamlined to offer the ultimate adventure to some of the most amazing places in the Whitsundays. There has been challenging periods over the past several years, and particularly 2020, but we have successfully established a business which will continue to operate through these times and one that will always set a standard for quality and service. With eight vessels now, we have the capacity to carry 206 people daily, and the reviews we receive reflect our commitment to creating everlasting memories by offering a lifetime adventure for each and every guest. If that happens, we’ve done our job!”
Even though both companies are local adventure tour operators, they have worked successfully together throughout the years, striving to support each other in both business and friendship, creating a great dynamic and positive example for achieving success in a small regional tourism-based community.
Working for both operations for ten years, Sales and Marketing Manager, Tiffany Brett, said, “This recognition is validation for the way both companies are successfully managed and operated. It can be a tough industry, but the way they have sustained such professional and quality operations, is reflected not only in the many awards they have received over the years, but the guest feedback they receive. Both families are involved in the daily operations, but they also have confidence and trust in their staff and as such, it has always been a team effort. Both have so many long term staff and the exceptional service they offer, along with the constant investment to diversify and grow over the years, reflects why they set the standard as two of the top quality tour operations in Australia.”
“Winners of the 2020 Travelers’ Choice Awards should be proud of this distinguished recognition,” said Kanika Soni, Chief Commercial Officer at Tripadvisor. “Although it’s been a challenging year for travel and hospitality, we want to celebrate our partners’ achievements. Award winners are beloved for their exceptional service and quality. Not only are these winners well deserving, they are also a great source of inspiration for travellers as the world begins to venture out again.”
To view the list of winners visit https://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Experiences-cTop_Experiences-g255055
