TripAdvisor, which describes itself as the world’s largest travel website, has awarded the Breakwater Bay business a Certificate of Excellence.

Jolanda Foale, who runs the helicopter passenger service with her husband Richard, said she let out a big “wahoo” as she read the email advising them they had won.

“We really appreciate this award as a thank you back from our customers for our hard work and thanking us for their experience,” Mrs Foale said.

The award recognises hospitality excellence and is given to businesses that consistently achieve four or five star reviews from people who have used a service.

“We have received 28 reviews with 27 being excellent or five-star and one being very good of four- star,” Mrs Foale said.

“We are passionate about what we do and love sharing our enthusiasm, and we are very grateful for the vote of confidence from all our supporters.” Mrs Foale, who has a degree in hospitality and tourism from Switzerland, said it was her role to liaise with visitors, meet and greet and keep things running smoothly on the ground.

Because the business was weather-dependent, the couple, who are originally from east Africa, always tell visitors to have a range of dates they were available to fly.

Each flight has a minimum of four passengers which meant considerable time was spent co-ordinating the various groups.

“It’s that communication that people really appreciate along with the personal touch,” Mrs Foale said.

Mr Foale’s main role is to fly the helicopter and he gives an in-flight commentary.

Even daughter Safi, 5, helps out at Heliview by taking on the role of air hostess at weekends.

TripAdvisor vice president of marketing, Alison Copus, said the award was not given out lightly.

Heliview has previously been rated Taranaki’s No 1 must-do experience.

The Stratford Mountain House was also recently given a TripAdvisor certificate of excellence.

Sharyn Smart is a Witt journalism student

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