MEDIA RELEASE
11 April 2000
TOURISM AWARDS EMPHASISE BUSINESS EXCELLENCE
The Tourism Awards for 2000 have again attracted a quality range of entrants that shows the New Zealand tourism industry
is at the forefront of business excellence and innovation, Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIANZ) Chief
Executive Glenys Coughlan said today.
"We have received 115 entries for this year's awards, with an extra 35 entering the new Tourism Innovators category.
This category recognises innovation in areas that will drive improved competitiveness in the tourism industry.
"It was also pleasing to see 32 strong entries in the Small Operators category. Small operators form a very important
part of the tourism industry, and the Minister has recognised this with an award this year for this sector.
"The criteria for this years awards has been substantially overhauled from previous years. Criteria now more closely
follow the Baldrige Quality Criteria, used by Trade New Zealand in their annual Export Awards. TIANZ believes it is good
to build consistency with others in the export sector.
"The entry form really put entrants through their paces this year, and the resulting entries reflect a serious
commitment to business excellence in tourism," Ms Coughlan said.
"In other changes to the criteria this year, operators who have won an award three times previously were not able to
enter for another two years. This has seen former strong winners not being eligible to enter this year, but pleasingly
the quality has remained as high as ever.
"The Tourism Awards are much sought after by operators in the industry, as recognition of the very best that the
tourism industry has to offer in New Zealand.
"This years awards will be no exception, with the winners knowing that they have succeeded against other high calibre
operators, with tough new eligibility criteria," Ms Coughlan said.
Entries for the Tourism Awards 2000 closed on Friday. The finalists will be announced at the tourism industry's annual
trade show, TRENZ, on 22 May and the winners will be announced at the Tourism Conference in August.
ENDS
More information: Simon King, Media Relations Manager 04 494 1845/025 807 252
ABOUT TIANZ
The Tourism Industry Association represents 3,500 businesses and organisations within the tourism industry
Members include airlines, airport companies, and regional tourism organisations, rental car, coach and taxi companies,
inbound tour operators, travel agents, adventure tourism operators, accommodation providers, tourism attractions,
researchers, training organisations and tourism services providers
Tourism is New Zealand's largest export earner - accounting for 16 % of this country's export earnings The Tourism
Industry Association organises the New Zealand Tourism Conference, TRENZ and the New Zealand Tourism Awards