A dynamic approach to business and intention to provide top customer service to holidaymakers has seen Waihi Beach Top 10 Holiday Park receive one of the Bay of Plenty's top business awards.

The holiday resort, owned by Ian and Vicki Smith, is the winner of the Business of the Year category in the 2011 Tauranga Westpac Business Awards.

The team at the Waihi Beach Top 10 Holiday Park receive their awards.

Ian and Vicki bought the business on Department of Conservation land in 1996 and worked to transform what was once a motor camp with basic facilities into a first rate holiday resort.

'Our customers are an eclectic blend from all walks of life,” says Vicki.

'The regulars and local residents that use our facilities create a community feel that means anyone visiting the resort are met with a fun and friendly atmosphere.

'These days it's not cold showers and lumpy mattresses, holiday parks have changed.

'We've recognised that we are competing against hotels and motels so we've upped the game.”

Holidaymakers have visited the park for decades and many New Zealand families return to the resort, which is booked out from December 26 until the end of January.

Holiday park operations manager Angie Robinson says all of the staff were in disbelief when it was announced they had won the award.

'We were shocked, we were up against some great businesses,” says Angie.

'I think the look on people's faces really said it all. All of the team are overjoyed and ecstatic.”

She says all of the 12 staff working at the park share the common goal of providing a well run business with top quality customer service.

Excellent communications and customer service have recently had to include the challenges of Rena impacting the business.

Ian and Vicki and their staff are advocating to all coastal Bay of Plenty tourism businesses that they remain positive and work together to provide the public with a clear and true picture of what is happening in the Bay of Plenty while the salvage process takes place.