Thirty-two leading tourism operators and stakeholders from 26 organisations have been announced as finalists in the 2018 New Zealand Tourism Awards – the $36 billion tourism industry’s most prestigious awards.
The finalists span the country, from Queenstown to Auckland, including regional communities such as Taumarunui, Gisborne and Owen River.
Hotels, a luxury lodge, adventure activities, transport operators, a music festival and Maori tourism businesses are amongst the finalists.
They will compete for awards in two individual categories and eight business categories, says Chris Roberts, Chief Executive of Tourism Industry Aotearoa which runs the annual awards programme.
“This year’s awards attracted a record 109 entries. It’s fantastic to see the New Zealand Tourism Awards growing more competitive every year, reflecting the industry’s strong growth,” Mr Roberts says.
“These prestigious awards celebrate the industry’s success and recognise the individuals and businesses doing an outstanding job, providing employment and generating wealth in communities throughout the country. We are also seeing a commendable trend of tourism businesses committing to all aspects of sustainability.
“I’d like to congratulate everyone who took the time to enter the awards, even if they didn’t make it to finalist status. The awards are a valuable opportunity to benchmark your business against your peers and demonstrate that you are striving to be the best.”
The awards are closely aligned with the industry’s Tourism 2025 growth framework.
The winner of the Air New Zealand Supreme Tourism Award will receive a prize valued at over $20,000, including $10,000 air travel, to help them grow their tourism business. The winners will be announced at a black-tie dinner in Christchurch on Thursday 6 September.
2018 New Zealand Tourism Awards finalists
PATA New Zealand Trust Emerging Tourism Leader Award
Ian Balme, Forgotten World Adventures, Taumarunui
Ross Copland, Ruapehu Alpine Lifts
Travis Donoghue, Tourism Holdings Ltd (thl)
Luke Taylor, Go Orange, Queenstown
JLT & AIG Tourism Industry Champion Award
Lisa Li, China Travel Service (NZ) Ltd
Les Morgan, Sudima Hotels and Resorts
Saskia Verraes – Tourism Holdings Ltd (thl)
Westpac Business Excellence Award – Less than $6M Annual Turnover
Forgotten World Adventures, Taumarunui
Kaitiaki Adventures, Rotorua
Owen River Lodge
Redwoods Treewalk & Nightlights, Rotorua
Auckland Airport Business Excellence Award – More than $6M Annual Turnover
Real Journeys
Sudima Hotels and Resorts
Tourism Holdings Ltd (thl)
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment Industry Alignment Award
AccorHotels
Hawke’s Bay Tourism
Tourism West Coast
Department of Conservation Environmental Tourism Award
Kapiti Island Nature Tours
Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
Tourism Holdings Ltd (thl)
He Kai Kei Aku Ringa Maori Tourism Award
Kaitiaki Adventures, Rotorua
Whale Watch Kaikoura Ltd
Wharewaka o Poneke Enterprises Ltd, Wellington
The Great Journeys of New Zealand Tourism 2025 Enabler Award
Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED)
Christchurch Airport
NZ Cycle Trail Incorporated
epay NZ Tourism Marketing Award
Air New Zealand
Rhythm and Vines, Gisborne
SKYCITY Grand, Auckland
ServiceIQ Visitor Experience Award
Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari
GO Rentals
Otago Museum
The 2018 New Zealand Tourism Awards are run by TIA, with Award Partners Air New Zealand and the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment.
The Awards are supported by the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, Auckland Airport, Christchurch Casino, Department of Conservation, epay NZ, Hamish Fletcher Lawyers, He kai kei aku ringa, Horwath HTL, JLT/AIG, Monteiths, Pacific Tourways, PATA New Zealand Trust, ServiceIQ, The Great Journeys of New Zealand, Westpac, media partner NZME and host city ChristchurchNZ.
