Auckland, New Zealand - New Zealand company First Light Travel has won Outside magazine's prestigious ‘Trip of the Year in Oceania 2004’ award for its 8 day Discover NZ Sailing/Diving the Upper North Island package.

Outside is a US-based travel magazine with an audience of more than two million of the world's most affluent, educated and professional travel consumers. First Light Travel scooped the award against competition from Australian, Fijian and other New Zealand entries. Accepting the award on behalf of First Light Travel in Chicago was Angela Best from Tourism New Zealand. George Hickton Chief Executive of Tourism New Zealand offered his congratulations to First Light Travel, “It is good to see a relatively new adventure tourism operator doing so well in a very competitive market such as North America”.

Pictured are Angela Best (3rd from left) receiving the award from Outside Magazine senior editor Stephanie Pearson (far right) and other editing staff in Chicago, 22-Feb-04.

The award has been likened to the `Oscars’ of the travel industry. First Light Travel co-founder Brent Narbey said “It's an honour to be recognised with this award. We actively support Tourism New Zealand’s emphasis on high value visits which provide growth for the economy and tourism which is environmentally sustainable.” Brent and business partner Nigel Williamson have developed a thriving business delivering world class tourism products to the lucrative international travel market. Nigel says, “We've aimed to develop unique itineraries that cover the spectrum of New Zealand’s adventure, lifestyle and scenic opportunities.”

In the 2002/3 financial year the American market contributed NZ$762 million, from 207,840 visitors, into the NZ economy [Tourism NZ annual report 2002/03].

Pictured are (left to right) Brent Narbey, Angela Best (Tourism New Zealand) and Nigel Williamson with the Trip of the Year award in Auckland, 16-Mar-04.

Nigel and Brent first collaborated in the East African adventure tourism market in the mid 1990s, while based out of London. They linked up back home in Auckland with a shared vision for a unique brand of adventure travel. The business uses website marketing and regularly exhibits at major shows in their target markets in the UK, USA, Australia and Germany.

2004 WINNER BEST TRIP IN OCEANIA

First Light Travel's 8 day Discover NZ Sailing/Diving the Upper North Island tour incorporates the following highlights:

• Sailing Auckland's Hauraki Gulf, Waiheke Island and Bay of Islands
  
• Tiri Tiri Matangi bird sanctuary
  
• Diving the Poor Knights and wrecks of the Rainbow Warrior, Tui and Waikato
  
• A food and wine experience where the special ingredient is the collaboration between local chefs, luxury lodge accommodation, world class New Zealand wine, fresh local produce and a vast array of epicurean delights
  
• Additional perks include helicopter rides and informative sessions with experienced hosts including local marine biologists.
  

FACTS ABOUT FIRST LIGHT TRAVEL

• Owned and operated by Brent Narbey and Nigel Williamson, with combined experience in the travel industry of 17 years.
  
• Located in Auckland, New Zealand.
  
• Focus on unique itineraries that offer the best activities and experiences that New Zealand has with educational, cultural and lifestyle factors.
  
• International marketing focus – trade and consumer show displays in Sydney, Miami, Birmingham, London, Dusseldorf and Singapore.
  

First Light Travel Limited
6/1 Westhaven Drive
Westhaven
Auckland
Aotearoa New Zealand

Voice : +64 (9) 360 8320 Fax : +64 (9) 360 8321

www.firstlighttravel.com

Links to further information:

• Tour itinerary
• Outside Magazine website information on awards
• High resolution images of presentations (right click to download):
  • TNZ accepting award from Outside Magazine
  • FLT accepting the award from TNZ