The finalists in the 2015 Tourism Industry Awards have been named. Selected from over 100 entries, the 34 finalists across two individual and eight business categories represent most sectors across the $24 billion tourism industry, Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) Chief Executive Chris Roberts says.
TIA has relaunched the Tourism Industry Awards this year to set a benchmark of excellence and celebrate success in New Zealand’s diverse tourism industry.
“The finalists range from big corporates to the SMEs (small and medium enterprises) that dominate our industry, and are spread across the country, from Northland to Otago.”
Mr Roberts says the independent panel of judges, made up of tourism industry and other business sector leaders, was impressed with the high calibre of entries in the expanded and reinvigorated awards programme.
“The awards are closely aligned with the industry growth framework Tourism 2025, which aims to almost double annual tourism revenue to $41 billion by 2025, and represent both individual and business excellence.”
The winners will be announced at a black-tie dinner in Auckland on Friday, 2 October. The winner of the Air New Zealand Supreme Tourism Industry Award will receive international air travel to any Air New Zealand destination in North America, South America or Asia valued at up to $10,000 to help them grow their tourism business.
The 2015 Tourism Industry Awards finalists are:
Emerging Tourism Leader, supported by PATA Trust
Ross Copland, Coronet Peak Ski Area, Queenstown
Sarah Greener, The Rock Adventure Cruise, Paihia
Ryan Sanders, Haka Tours Ltd, Auckland
Tourism Industry Champion, supported by Sudima Hotels & Resorts
Kiri Goulter, Hamilton & Waikato Tourism
Jeroen Jongejans, Dive! Tutukaka
Bruce Thomasen, Skyline Enterprises Ltd, Rotorua
Visitor Experience Award, supported by ServiceIQ
Coronet Peak Ski Area, Queenstown
Dart River
Ngai Tahu Tourism, Glenorchy
Rainbow’s End Theme Park Ltd
Auckland
SKYCITY Grand Hotel, Auckland
Business Excellence Award – annual turnover less than $6 million, supported by Westpac
CQ Hotels Wellington
Dive! Tutukaka
Haka Tours Ltd, Auckland
Business Excellence Award – annual turnover more than $6 million, supported by JLT/AIG
Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa
Rainbow’s End Theme Park Ltd, Auckland
Skyline Rotorua
Thrifty Car Rental New Zealand, Christchurch
Environmental Tourism Award
Coronet Peak Ski Area, Queenstown
Dive! Tutukaka
The Langham, Auckland
Ziptrek Ecotours, Queenstown
Maori Cultural Tourism Award
Auckland War Memorial Museum
Ngai Tahu Tourism, Christchurch
TIME Unlimited Tours, Auckland
Tourism Marketing Campaign Award, supported by ReserveGroup
Destination Rotorua
Haka Tours Ltd, Auckland
Thrifty Car Rental New Zealand, Christchurch
Industry Alignment Award
Art Deco Trust, Napier
Bay of Islands Destination Marketing Group
Department of Conservation / Air New Zealand – The Great Walk Story
The Middle-earth Trilogy – Te Puia, Hobbiton Movie Set Tours
Discover Waitomo
Tourism 2025 Enabler Award, supported by Auckland Airport
Angus & Associates, Wellington
Positively Wellington
Tourism
Taupo District Council
Tuaropaki Ltd
Destination Great Lake Taupo
