PRESS RELEASE
6 December 2008
Travel Digest Industry Awards
Travel Digest has much pleasure in announcing the winners of the Travel Digest 2008 Industry Awards. Nominated by
readers of New Zealand¹s leading monthly travel industry magazine Travel Digest , the publication had the foresight to
pick up these awards at a time when no one else was offering the awards in New Zealand and also at a time when the next
Tourism Industry Awards have been postponed.
Currently New Zealanders spend around $4.6 billion on overseas travel, according to Travel Agents Association chief
executive Paul Yeo. A substantial contribution to the economy. Travel Digest publisher Lorraine Thomson said it was
pleasing to see the travel industry was alive and well and not suffering too much from the economic recession, with
outbound travel over the past year up two per cent from last year.
"Our travel industry readers are clearly prospering from the dedication and commitment shown by the companies and
individuals who have won these awards," she said.
Now in its 28th year, Travel Digest is recognised by travel industry readers for the quality of its journalism and the
passion to explore where no one else goes. These are the travel industry award winners, as chosen by readers, for 2008:
Supreme Industry Award [top company] World Aviation
General sales agent of the year World Aviation
World Aviation is a division of Stella Travel Services and has been in operation in New Zealand since 1988. The company
represents 22 airlines in New Zealand, four of which are on line Aircalin, Air Pacific, Air Tahiti Nui and LAN.
Travel Agent of the Year Helen Dobbs Senior leisure travel consultant Warwick Beatson Travel, Riccarton, Christchurch
Leading training provider International Travel College
Leading travel / recruitment company TMS Asia Pacific
Travel student of the year Pretoria Sturge Whangarei
Leading airline, domestic Air New Zealand
Leading airline, short haul Air Tahiti Nui
Leading airline, long haul Emirates
Leading airline, first class Singapore Airlines
Leading hotel, domestic The Westin Auckland Lighter Quay
Leading hotel / resort, international The Byron at Byron, NSW, Australia
Leading rental car / motor home company Kea Campers
Leading coach operator Newmans Coach Lines
Cruise line of the year P
National tourism office of the year Cook Islands Tourism
Travel wholesaler, short haul of the year Go Holidays
Travel wholesaler, long haul of the year Go Holidays
Customer service operator of the year Adventure World
Online travel company of the year HotelClub
ENDS