What a big year it's been at Prinsy's Tours. We've launched this new website, enjoyed hosting hundreds of Lions fans, and been spreading our wings doing some recon in Martinborough and round the country at tourism events. But the icing has seriously been put on the cake this week, after we were floored to receive the Visitor Experience Award for Small Business at the Hawke's Bay Tourism Awards.

Wow. Quite simply, we were jolly enough just to have put our best foot forward in entering the awards. Then being finalists, and ultimately winning the highly competitive 'Visitor Experience' category, well, let's just say the eyes got a bit steamy!

Going through the awards process really makes you put yourself out there, and look at your business through a new lens. It's a great initiative put on by Hawke's Bay Tourism, who back our industry tirelessly and are a big part of the reason this region's tourism economy is growing year on year, and why the standards for guest experiences here just keep soaring.

Prinsy's was also a finalist in the People's Choice award - so thank you immensely to all who voted for us, your voices were definitely heard!

We'd also really like to thank our amazing team, our wonderful guests whom it's a pleasure to host, the support from Jodi at InHouse Marketing, the judges for a fair and rigorous process, Hawke's Bay Tourism again and also Sally Jackson from the Napier City Council (previous winner when she was with the Art Deco Trust) for her helpful advice and mentoring on the awards process.

Hats off to all the other entrants, finalists and winners; we know what a challenge it is and we're proud to be a part of this fantastic industry with you. 

Now, time for a glass (or two) of yummy Hawke's Bay wine to celebrate!