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No Luck Involved For Supreme Tourism Award Winner
Media Release
14 October 2010
No Luck Involved For Supreme Tourism Award Winner
Christchurch Casino, a business that puts innovative workplace training at the heart of its culture and as a result reaps the rewards with increased staff loyalty, competitiveness and 'customer delight', is the winner of the Air New Zealand Supreme Award in the 2010 Tourism Industry Awards.
Organised by the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA), the awards were announced in Auckland this evening (14 October) at a gala event attended by about 360 industry leaders.
The Supreme Award was presented by the Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism John Key to Christchurch Casino, which also won the ATTTO Tourism Workplace Training Award. Located in the heart of Christchurch, the Casino is the city's leading entertainment venue, attracting almost one million visitors annually.
Innovating for success was the theme of this year's Tourism Industry Awards and the judges said walking around the Christchurch Casino you could feel the culture - "Innovation is across the whole organisation and it shows results."
They said a comprehensive training programme delivered with industry partners gives the almost 600 staff a clear career path and instills greater confidence, especially for those in the all important frontline roles. Staff are encouraged to contribute their own ideas and take the initiative.
"Christchurch Casino is an outstanding tourism business that clearly shows the link between a quality, innovative training approach and delivering an unforgettable and positive customer experience - win or lose. Its performance is all the more impressive when you consider the highly regulated environment in which it operates," said the judges.
TIA Chief Executive Tim Cossar says he is delighted to see Canterbury take a number of the top tourism awards, and hopes it will give the region a boost in the aftermath of last month's earthquake.
As well as the Supreme Award, two prestigious individual awards were won by Cantabrians. Wally Stone, a founding member and Chairman of Whale Watch Kaikoura and past Tourism New Zealand board member and chairman, won the Horwath HTL Sir Jack Newman Award for his outstandingly innovative contribution to tourism throughout a distinguished career in the industry.
Ryan Sanders, owner and director of Haka Tours, won the PATA Young Tourism Entrepreneur Award. Haka Tours is a Canterbury based venture offering visitors guided adventure and snow tours. The entrepreneurial 32-year-old returned from a corporate job in the UK four years ago to start up his tourism venture. He recently purchased Haka Lodge, a boutique flash-backpacker lodge in Christchurch.
The Awards' judges said the calibre of finalists in this year's Awards was very high, and selecting the winners in several categories came down to the wire.
"It is great to see that our winners come from regions across the country and range from large companies with hundreds of employees to family run operations. Our inspirational winners show that being small is no deterrent to running a savvy and successful tourism business," continued the judges.
"These tourism operators have successfully come through one of the toughest trading environments on record - they prove that true innovators are still making the money. Innovation is inherent throughout their businesses and is lived and breathed by all their staff."
Photos For more
information 2010
Tourism Industry Award Winners Air New Zealand Supreme
Award, and ATTTO Tourism Workplace Training Award Winner:
Christchurch Casino, Canterbury ATTTO Tourism Education
and Training Award Winner: The International Travel College
of New Zealand, Auckland Westpac Hotel Award Winner:
Bolton Hotel, Wellington Backpacker Award Winner: YHA
Wellington City, Wellington Holiday Park Award Winner:
Kennedy Park TOP 10 Resort, Hawke's Bay Motel Award
Winner: Anchorage Motel, Fiordland Tourism New Zealand
Innovative Marketing Campaign Award Winner: Kelly Tarlton's
Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World, Auckland Visitor
Attraction and Experience Award (Large) Winner: Explore NZ,
Auckland Visitor Attraction and Experience Award (Small
and Medium) Winner: Wilsons Abel Tasman National Park,
Nelson Visitor Transport Award Winner: Stray - Adventure
Tours, Auckland Festival/Event Award Winner: Rhythm and
Vines Festival, Gisborne Local Government Helping Visitor
Industry Award Winner: Te Kahui Tupua: Sacred Peaks -
Ruapehu District Council, Ruapehu DOC Conservation in
Action Award Winner: Lochmara Lodge Wildlife Recovery and
Arts Centre, Marlborough Horwath HTL Sir Jack Newman Award
Winner: Wally Stone, Whale Watch Kaikoura, Canterbury PATA
Young Tourism Entrepreneur Award Winner: Ryan Sanders, Haka
Tours, Canterbury Outstanding Contribution to Tourism
Award Winner: Jeanette Richardson, Waitangi National Trust,
Northland 2010 Tourism Industry Award Winners by
Region CANTERBURY Air New Zealand Supreme Award, and
ATTTO Tourism Workplace Training Award Christchurch
Casino Putting innovative workplace training firmly at the
heart of its culture over the past three years has seen
Christchurch Casino reap the rewards - improved staff
loyalty, greater competitiveness and increased 'customer
delight'. Christchurch's leading entertainment venue, the
Casino has almost 600 staff who collectively deliver an
outstanding experience for around one million visitors
annually. The judges said walking around this well run
business you could feel the culture - innovation is across
the whole organisation and it shows results.Chief Executive
Brett Anderson knows every staff member by name and they are
all encouraged to contribute their own ideas and take the
initiative. A comprehensive training programme delivered
with industry partners gives staff a clear career path and
instills greater confidence, especially for those in the all
important frontline roles. A founding member and chairman of
Whale Watch Kaikoura, Wally Stone reflects the essence of
the New Zealand tourism industry. Wally's service to the
industry spans from tourism operator to regional tourism to
national and international tourism. He was a Tourism New
Zealand board member for nine years - chairman for six of
those - during the conception and ensuing success of the
100% pure campaign. In all his work, Wally has always
strongly valued the importance of social, economic and
environmental sustainability. He has faced and overcome many
challenges - no more so than 20 years ago when he gained
widespread community support for the development of Whale
Watch Kaikoura - today one of New Zealand's most awarded
companies and a tourism operator that epitomises
kaitiakitanga (guardianship for the environment). Contact: Wally Stone, Chairman, Whale Watch Kaikoura,
03 319 7725, wally@whalewatch.co.nz
PATA Young Tourism Entrepreneur Award
Ryan Sanders, Haka Tours Four years ago Ryan Sanders left
his corporate job in the UK to return to New Zealand to work
in the tourism industry. Ryan describes it as the best
decision he's ever made, one that has made his working life
an absolute pleasure. This entrepreneurial young Kiwi is
the owner and director of Haka Tours, a Canterbury based
venture offering visitors guided adventure and snow tours.
Ryan ran the business remotely from the UK for the first 16
months as he perfected the business model, returning to New
Zealand when he knew he had a viable business on his hands.
The 32-year-old's latest initiative is the purchase of Haka
Lodge, a new boutique flash-backpacker lodge in
Christchurch. Innovation is at the heart of Ryan's
business philosophy. He is striving to not only run and grow
a great business, but to think outside the square,
identifying and grasping opportunities to further
differentiate Haka Tours. Contact: Ryan Sanders, Director
& Sole Owner of Haka Tours and Haka Lodge, 0212900343
ryan@hakatours.com Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award
Jeanette Richardson As Chief Executive Officer of the
Waitangi National Trust for the past eight years, Jeanette
Richardson has spearheaded improvements at the Waitangi
Treaty Grounds, a major tourism project that has significant
cultural meaning for our nation. Jeanette has worked
closely with iwi and other organisations, enhancing the
celebration of New Zealand's national day and related
festival. She has overseen the development of infrastructure
that has transformed this iconic site into a world class
facility. An inspirational leader, Jeanette has brought
about a positive change in the way the Treaty Ground staff
operate. Under her watch, attendees to the Waitangi
celebrations have quadrupled. Contact:
Jeanette Richardson, Chief Executive Officer, Waitangi
National Trust, 09 402 7437 ext 205, 0274 751 900,
manager@waitangi.net.nz AUCKLAND Tourism New Zealand
Innovative Marketing Campaign Award Kelly Tarlton's
Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World In 2009 as many of
New Zealand's international visitor markets went into a tail
spin, Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World
went into action. The Auckland attraction breathed new life
into this well-established venture through a smart and
highly responsive marketing programme it called 'Oceans of
Things to Sea and Do'. The winning campaign targeted the
domestic market in particular, giving Kiwis repeated reasons
to keep returning to Kelly Tarlton's. Six promotions were
run throughout the year. They included Megalodon - the
Monster Shark, which cleverly combined kids' love of the
scary and ever-popular sharks, and 25 Years Under the Sea, a
celebration of Kelly Tarlton's 25th anniversary. Kiwis who
thought they had 'done' Kelly Tarlton's realised they had
plenty of reasons for visiting again - boosting visitor
numbers and profits. Contact: Tessa Lawrence, Marketing
Manager, 09 531 5135, 021 222 1331,
tessa.lawrence@kellytarltons.co.nz
Visitor Transport Award
Stray - Adventure Tours Much more than just a transport
company, Stray - Adventure Tours competes on quality. It
offers strong and relevant points of difference to generate
positive word of mouth, with the company's Stray Mates
referral system rewarding past customers for booking
referrals. Stray promises to take travellers 'further off
the beaten track' and staff actively hunt out local
activities and overnight stops with a difference - sleeping
on a marae and in an old West Coast gold miners pub.
Experiences such as its overnight at the Blue Duck Lodge
wilderness area are amongst its top rating features and are
exclusive to Stray. Over the past two years Stray has
almost doubled the size of the business and hugely improved
profitability - all during a global downturn and in a market
which is very price sensitive. Contact: Neil Geddes,
Executive Director, Stray - Adventure Tours, 09 526 2130,
021 677981, neil@spaceships.tv ATTTO Tourism Education and Training
Award The International Travel College of New
Zealand Innovating for success is a fitting theme for The
International Travel College of New Zealand (ITC) a premium
supplier of training programmes for the airline, travel and
tourism industry for more than 14 years. In the past two
years, ITC has launched a Certificate in Aviation,
introduced an online check in system as part of its training
and opened its new airport training centre - an innovative
facility that looks like an airport, feels like an aircraft,
but works like three training rooms, providing an inspiring
learning environment. ITC recently launched its Study
Awards, offering a scholarship fund of over $22,000 for more
than 30 students. As well as training at the College, ITC
has built great connections with the industry, enabling it
to provide students with onsite work experience. Contact:
Claire Huxley, Marketing Manager, ITC, claireh@itc.co.nz
Visitor Attraction and Experience Award
(large) Explore NZ A progressive, dynamic and sustainable
company, Explore NZ offers an exciting range of tours,
cruises and island activities in the Bay of Islands and
Auckland. The judges said energy radiates throughout the
company, an industry leader that is willing to share its
knowledge and experience with others. Contact: William Goodfellow, Managing Director,
Explore NZ, 021 595 400, William@explorenz.co.nz
GISBORNE Festival/Event
Award Rhythm and Vines Festival Innovate or die was the
impetus behind organisers boldly reshaping Rhythm and Vines
Festival from a 24-hour event to a three-day format in 2008.
They wanted to ensure this New Year's Eve music festival
didn't become just a memory but an enduring event. And it
worked. Now in its 8th year, Rhythm & Vines has grown from a
one-day festival for 1500 friends and 'friends of friends',
into a three-day extravaganza with a multi-million dollar
production budget and featuring major international
acts. With 20,000 attendees, 2000 staff and volunteers and
60 international and local acts, the festival contributes
millions of dollars into the Gisborne economy each year.
Working together with local community, tourism and local
government organisations, Rhythm & Vines has evolved into a
must-visit festival, ranked by international media as one of
'the' places to be on New Year's Eve. Contact: Kyle Bell,
Rhythm and Vines Festival, 021 306 608,
kb@rhythmandvines.co.nz, www.rhythmandvines.co.nz/2010
HAWKE'S BAY When it
opened for business in 1937, Kennedy Park offered travellers
the option of a camp site, hut or caravan site. Over the
ensuing 73 years this popular Napier holiday park has been
transformed. Today guests can choose from motel units and
eco-friendly modern cabins with ensuites to traditional
cabins and tent sites. Innovation is at the heart of
Kennedy Park's operations, a business that aims to deliver
its customers a complete holiday experience. One project
staff are particularly proud of is the Park's growing
relationship with a New Caledonian mining company. Every
year the mine operators pay for a group of employees'
children to holiday at the park, with numbers growing each
time. Contact: David Aflallo, General Manager, Kennedy
Park Top 10 Resort, 06 843 9126, 027 453 8843,
manager@kennedypark.co.nz RUAPEHU Ruapehu District Council project leads this
ambitious initiative, created in response to dire economic
and social indicators that saw these districts fail to reach
their potential and under achieve compared with other local
economies. Te Kahui Tupua has helped grow the region's
small, independent tourism sector into a coordinated group
of well-trained operators, able to compete successfully for
a slice of the visitor dollar. It has provided a platform
for bringing iwi into the regional economy, growing
employment opportunity for local Maori. The judges said
everyone involved in this initiative is passionate about it.
Te Kahui Tupua is an example of what a strong partnership
between local government and the tourism industry can
achieve. Contact: Paul Wheatcroft, Communications Manager,
Ruapehu District Council, 07 895 8188, 027 24 33 064,
paulw@ruapehudc.govt.nz Westpac Hotel
Award Bolton Hotel This independent, luxury boutique hotel
always tries to think differently about what it can offer
visitors, challenging the status quo and giving them a
compelling reason to choose the Bolton. Located in the heart
of Wellington's CBD, the judges commended the Bolton's
commitment to originality, independence of thought and
industry leadership. One of the hotel's latest innovations
is its 'Brainfood' functions menu - attractive and tasty
food designed to stimulate the neural pathways of event
attendees, keeping them mentally alert throughout the
day. The hotel's restaurant was a finalist in this year's
Cuisine Magazine's Restaurant of the Year competition.
Executive Chef Steve Morris is now sharing is expertise
through a series of online cooking tutorials allowing
gourmet enthusiasts the chance to learn classical techniques
at home. Contact: Meredith Ellis, New Business and Client
Relations Manager, Bolton Hotel, 04 462 3760, 0272 239 239,
Meredith@boltonhotel.co.nz
Attracting guests from around New Zealand and
the world, YHA Wellington City's aim is to be sustainable
itself, and to educate guests on how they can be sustainable
as they travel. Staff turnover is low because staff love
working at the YHA Wellington City and guests love staying
in a hostel that walks the green talk. The judges said YHA
Wellington City doesn't stop improving. Innovation is the
core of the business and they back it up with great
results. Contact: Chris Sperring, Hostel Manager, YHA
Wellington City, 04 801 7280, 021 141 3757,
chris.sperring@yha.co.nz MARLBOROUGH DOC Conservation in Action
Award Lochmara Lodge Wildlife Recovery and Arts
Centre Conservation, art and luxury have proved a winning
combination for Lochmara Lodge, located on the tranquil
shores of Queen Charlotte in the Marlborough Sounds. Owners
Louise and Shayne Olsen have created a special place where
visitors relax and enjoy themselves. They can also learn
about the environment and be gently encouraged to treat it
with sensitivity and respect. Lochmara was the first
private conservation area open to the public in the
Marlborough Sounds, and works closely with the Department of
Conservation and local iwi on conservation projects. The
couple and their staff have created a Wildlife Recovery and
Arts Centre - a tourism attraction that combines art and
wildlife for mutual benefit. Contact: Louise Bright,
Owner/Manager, Lochmara Lodge Wildlife Recovery and Arts
Centre, 03 573 4554, accounts@lochmaralodge.co.nz
NELSON Visitor Attraction and
Experience Award (Small and Medium) Wilsons Abel Tasman
National Park Starting with a single passenger launch
service in 1977, Wilsons Abel Tasman National Park now
offers visitors a selection of experiences - from two hours
to five days, encompassing cruise, water taxi, walking and
sea kayaking options. Overnight trips are hosted at
Beachfront Lodges, built by the family on their historic
freehold land in the Abel Tasman. The Wilsons family's
ancestors have been welcoming visitors to this stunningly
beautiful part of New Zealand since 1841. Today's generation
and staff are committed to the values of kaitiakitanga -
guardianship of the environment, and manaakitanga,
hospitality. Wilsons Abel Tasman National Park has
upgraded its boat design to attract higher yield independent
and group visitors. And it's introduced new and innovative
itineraries, increasing the range of day trip options to
include other regional highlights like cycling, arts and
crafts and wine tasting. Contact: Darryl Wilson, Wilsons
Abel Tasman National Park, 03 528 2027,
darryl@AbelTasman.co.nz FIORDLAND Motel Award Anchorage
Motel Owner operators Fiona and Nigel Humphries have been
on a continual journey of reinvestment ever since they
bought into Anchorage Motel in Te Anau 10 years ago.
Sustainability is a priority for this winning couple. They
are proud of their Qualmark Gold Enviro-Award, and were
recently recognised for their environmental performance in
the Southland environmental awards. One of their new
initiatives is retro bikes, encouraging guests to "slow
right down and enjoy Te Anau". The bikes are available to
guests in return for a donation to the Pomona Island
Charitable Trust. Having great innovations and good
business practices in place has helped the Anchorage Motel
ride out the recession. Profitability is still strong and
the level of repeat clientele speaks volumes for the
outstanding guest experience they
offer. ends
Editors: Photographs of all winners are
available. Photos of the winners at the Awards Celebration
Evening will be available on Friday afternoon, 15 October.
Email rose.northcott@tianz.org.nz
Ann-Marie Johnson, Communications Manager,
TIA, ann-marie.johnson@tianz.org.nz, 04 496 5001, 027 600
4565, www.tianz.org.nz
Contact: Brett Anderson, Chief
Executive, Christchurch Casinos Ltd, 03 371-2403,
brett@christchurchcasino.co.nz
Horwath HTL Sir Jack
Newman Award Wally Stone
Wally
remains at the helm of this successful Maori business, an
inspirational venture that has put Kaikoura on the visitor
map.
NORTHLAND
Jeanette's contribution and
commitment has benefitted the Northland economy, with the
Trust a significant employer of local people.
This is a company
with a genuine commitment to the environment. Numerous
innovations have been initiated to support this focus -
including the fleet wide introduction of bio-fuel, a first
in New Zealand, and its partnership in the Bay of Islands
ecological restoration programme, 'Project Island
Song'.
Holiday Park Award Kennedy Park TOP 10 Resort
Local Government
Helping Visitor Industry Award Te Kahui Tupua: Sacred Peaks
- Ruapehu District Council
Tourism brand Te Kahui Tupua
is a five year collaboration of some 11 iwi, three local
authorities, three District/Regional Tourism Organisations,
the Whanganui Maori RTO and well over 100 and growing
tourism operators, working together in a regional tourism
cluster with funding support from New Zealand Trade and
Enterprise.
WELLINGTON
Backpacker Award YHA
Wellington City
Environmental sustainability is core to
YHA Wellington City, a business that has a 100% commitment
to doing its bit for the New Zealand environment. The first
backpackers in New Zealand to achieve Qualmark's Enviro-Gold
standard, this innovative and distinctive property has over
250 sustainable features. These range from converting waste
water from showers into electricity to 'switch off' ticks on
all the light switches and recycling of clothing and
batteries.
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