Experiencing its best period of business for many years, New Zealand’s hotel sector is looking to celebrate its highest achievers as it calls for entries for the 2015 Hotel Industry Awards.
“These awards are an opportunity to celebrate leaders in this valuable sector and highlight individuals and hotels that are New Zealand’s best,” says Sally Attfield, Hotel Sector Manager, Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA), which organises the annual awards with Horwath HTL.
Entries are being sought for three awards:
Hotel Industry Senior Executive of the Year – recognising an individual who is a role model and has a passion for their work so great that they go beyond the call of duty.
Hotel Industry Outstanding Young Executive of the Year, sponsored by ServiceIQ – recognising a rising star who has made an exceptional contribution to their employer and to the hotel industry over the past 12 months.
Hotel Industry Environmental Initiative Award, sponsored by The Greenfield – recognising a hotel that has shown innovation above and beyond all others in order to neutralise environmental impacts. This initiative may have the potential to change the way the hotel industry operates.
The winners will be announced at the 2015 New Zealand Hotel Industry Conference gala dinner at The Langham, Auckland on 4 June.
“Recognising winners in our hotel sector is an important way of setting a benchmark that others can aspire to,” says Ms Attfield. “New Zealand hotels operate in an extremely competitive international environment. Continually improving the experience we offer domestic and international visitors is vital if we are to achieve the tourism industry’s Tourism 2025 goal of almost doubling annual tourism revenue to $41 billion by 2025.”
She says the hotel sector is a major contributor to New Zealand’s tourism industry, with more visitors staying in hotels than any other commercial accommodation.
“TIA has some 200 hotel members throughout New Zealand, including international chains, large independent and privately owned hotels. Together they employ over 10,000 staff nationally, with annual revenues of more than $1 billion.”
Horwath HTL Director Stephen Hamilton says the awards entry process is very straightforward and he is expecting a good level of entries, given the buoyant mood of many hotels around the country.
“The sector has plenty to be positive about as it celebrates a record year marked by high occupancy rates and improved returns. Winning one of these prestigious awards will cap what has been a great summer for many hotels, and will generate plenty of positive publicity, both for the successful individuals and their hotels.”
Entry forms and the award criteria can be found on the 2015 New Zealand Hotel Industry Conference website www.nzhotelconference.com
