WellingtonNZ.com,
New Zealand 

REACHING FOR THE STARS: Carter Observatory has gained Qualmark accreditation.

Carter Observatory has been recognised as one of the country’s leading tourism businesses by Qualmark - New Zealand tourism’s official quality assurance system.

To earn the prestigious quality mark, Carter Observatory underwent a comprehensive on-site assessment to ensure it met quality criteria focused on service, facilities, safety and systems the business has in place.

Acting Director, Nataša Petković-Jeremić says: “It’s important for Carter to have the Qualmark particularly in our early days of operation as we position ourselves as a high quality tourism attraction in Wellington”.

“This will help us gain the confidence of our business and trade partners, it can only help us grow our business,” says Nataša.

Carter Observatory re-opened on 27 March this year and offers visitors an extraordinary opportunity to learn about New Zealand’s Southern Skies through its state of the art planetarium show, along with multi media exhibits sharing how our early Māori, Polynesian and European settlers navigated their way to these shores.

It served as New Zealand’s national observatory from 1941 – 2011 and this legacy is reflected in a collection of New Zealand astronomical history including the oldest telescope of its kind operating in New Zealand. Carter has hosted over 22,000 visitors since its re-opening.

Positively Wellington Tourism Chief Executive David Perks says Carter is proving a star Wellington attraction. "The media and trade we host through Carter Observatory rave about its interactive exhibits - in particular the way New Zealand's cultural stories are blended with those of the Southern Skies," he says.

Qualmark’s endorsement programme offers quality assurance to a full range of tourism businesses, such as adventure activities, transport providers, culture and nature experiences.

Our official tourism quality mark is only earned through independent assessment, so travellers can be assured they meet the standards, says Qualmark Board Chair, Tim Hunter.

“Qualmark puts the brand of New Zealand, the silver fern, behind quality businesses, so travellers can count on an experience that measures up to their expectations, “says Mr Hunter.

Assessment criteria are developed with the tourism industry, based on research into what travellers expect, and specific to the type of business.

The Qualmark endorsement system sits alongside the Qualmark star grading system for accommodation. Over 2,300 accommodation and other tourism businesses throughout New Zealand have been through the assessment process and are licensed to use the quality mark.

Qualmark is jointly owned by Tourism New Zealand and the New Zealand Automobile Association. The programme is run as an industry service, on a not-for-profit basis and is the way the industry directs travellers to quality assured products and services.

For further information please contact:

Dawn Muir, Marketing & Communications Manager, Carter Observatory
Ph +64 4 910 3140, Mob +64 21 411 204
Dawn.muir@wmt.org.nz

Simon Claridge, Communications Manager, Qualmark New Zealand Ltd.
Ph +64 9 377 7153, Mob +64 27 687 8993.
simonc@qualmark.co.nz