Yellow Water Cruises caused quite a ripple at Northern Territory Tourism’s night of nights taking home the Brolga for Best Major Tour Operator for the second consecutive year.

The industry’s top accolades were handed out last night at a glittering ceremony at the Darwin Convention Centre attended by over 300 of the territory’s top tourism delegates.

The win will see Yellow Water Cruises go head to head with the nation’s best at the 2012 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards where Brolga winners plan to ruffle some serious tourism feathers.

Flying high under the banner of Gagudju Dreaming, Yellow Water Cruises is jointly owned by Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) and the Gagudju Association of elders and is operated and managed by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).

IHG Director of Marketing for the Northern Territory, Cathie McBean said the award was an incredible achievement and a win for indigenous tourism as a whole.

“The Brolgas recognise businesses striving for excellence in every area of their operation and we congratulate and thank the entire Yellow Water team for their dedication and their passion.”

“This award invigorates our commitment to building stronger partnerships within the landscape, broadening the understanding of the region’s Indigenous tourism offerings and stimulating ideas for its future development.”

Yellow Water Cruises is no stranger to the Brolga’s dance; they also took out Best Tourism Marketing in 2011, Best Tourism Education and Training in 2010 and Best Major Tourist Attraction in 2009.

The award winning tours transport guests through the breathtakingly beautiful Yellow Water Billabong located at the end of Jim Jim Creek, deep in the South Alligator River System of Kakadu National Park.

Guests encounter a world untouched by time, where light slices through Paper Barks, crocs run wild and nature is set to a symphony of over 130 species of native birds.

“This is an incredibly unique and exclusive tourism offering that showcases the extreme beauty our destination has to offer,” Ms McBean said.

Fully Accredited and proudly Ecotourism Accredited, Yellow Water Cruises operates all year round from sunrise to sunset offering an additional fishing experience from April through to October.

But the birdsong in securing their fifth Brolga may have been the introduction of a brand new tourism offering after dark.

Ms McBean said the new Yellow Water Algohgarrng Experience consists of a three course a la carte dinner followed by a magical evening cruise guided only by the light of the night sky.

“It’s a magical assault on the senses where sight is limited to the occasional glimpse of menacing eyes watching from the waterways beneath.”

“The experience is heightened by Indigenous guides who enchant the mind with their stories of Aboriginal night time mythology passed down through generations of local Kakadu clans.”

Ms McBean said their Indigenous Employment Program (IEP) was helping to create opportunities for local Bininj people to train and interact with the tourism industry.

“Experienced guides ticketed with the ‘Kakadu Knowledge’ are often supported by Indigenous Employment Program trainees giving our guests a fascinating insight into the traditional way of life.”

In November 2010, IHG become the first hotel company to establish a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), recognised by Reconciliation Australia.

They continue their strong commitment to equal opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders and to developing tourism at a pace that is comfortable and set by the traditional owners of Kakadu.

“This operation is a true success story for Northern Territory Tourism inspiring people to share ideas, learn from each other and form strategic partnerships that benefit the destination as a whole.”

Ms McBean said Yellow Water Cruises is thrilled to fly the flag for Northern Territory Tourism and will continue to create golden memories for their guests all year round.