AusLeisure

Amazing technology previously only available in the scientific community that allows humans to talk to dolphins is being launched by leading New Zealand tourism operator Black Cat Cruises.

New analysis of results from a 1970s experiment found that Dolphins 'talk' to each other using the same process to make their high-pitched sounds as humans. After more than a decade of experimentation and testing by marine scientists in the USA, the technology is being launched commercially for the first time anywhere in the world by Black Cat Cruises in Akaroa.

Black Cat Cruises Managing Director Paul Bingham said the findings in the 1970s showed that dolphins don't actually whistle as has been long thought, but instead rely on vibrations of tissues in their nasal cavities that are the same as our vocal cords.

Bingham explained "once we got wind of the technology and looked at it in more detail we realised how exciting it was and how much it would add to our cruises.

"It took quite some time to get it to a stage where it was a viable tourism product for us, and now can't wait to share it with our dolphin swimming and cruise passengers. It really is incredible and will set our cruises apart from any marine experience anywhere in the world."

The technology is being called Dolphi Chat and will be available as part of Black Cat Cruise's normal trips in Akaroa. Cruise prices remain the same and Bingham said Black Cat Cruises had strong expressions of interest from several overseas marine tourism operators to purchase Dolphi Chat.

Bingham adds "we will see how well it goes here first but there is the potential to sell the technology to other tourism operators overseas."

For more information go to www.blackcat.co.nz/swimming-with-dolphins.html

11th October 2011 - KEY FACTORS FOR SUCCESSFUL AND SUSTAINABLE SMALL TOURISM DESTINATIONS

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