Queenstown cleans up at Golden Backpacker Awards

Press release from Shotover Canyon Swing, The World Bar and Nomads Queenstown Backpackers
8 November 2010

Queenstown cleans up at the Golden Backpacker Awards

Queenstown flew the flag for New Zealand at the Golden Backpacker Awards last week by scooping for the nation all the major gongs - for adventure, accommodation and nightlife.

The Golden Backpacker Awards is Australia and New Zealand’s only dedicated awards program for the independent travel sector. Run by TNT Magazine and Thumbrella it is an international campaign which gathers votes from consumers in more than 30 categories. This year a total of 19,539 votes were cast with voting conducted exclusively online for the first time.

Shotover Canyon Swing, Nomads Queenstown Backpackers and The World Bar each picked up one of the prestigious consumer-voted awards at the GBA Sydney-hosted gala dinner on 4 November, making Queenstown the star of New Zealand tourism. The only other New Zealand operation to pick up an award was Tamaki Maori Village Rotorua as Best indigenous cultural experience.

Shotover Canyon Swing won Best Activity in New Zealand for the third time in the competition’s four year history, while The World Bar won Best Bar in New Zealand also for the third time. Nomads Queenstown won Best Backpackers as its very first major award since opening just over a year ago.

Destination Queenstown Consumer Marketing Manager Lisa Nilsen who was in Sydney for the Adventure Travel and Backpack Expo, represented Shotover Canyon Swing at the awards ceremony.

“What makes these three wins so special is that they’re awarded by a market sector we work very hard to attract to Queenstown. Peer recommendation is so important in the modern age and particularly in the independent market sector. These awards offer a recommendation and recognition that is highly valuable to Queenstown and to New Zealand and we very much congratulate Shotover Canyon Swing, Nomads Queenstown and The World Bar for their wins.”

Shotover Canyon Swing Sales Manager Claire Stewart said she was “thrilled” that the world’s highest cliff jump had once again been voted the Best Activity in New Zealand.

“This is a fantastic coup for us as the Golden Backpackers Award is all about the consumer. This result is based on genuine feedback from tourists travelling across Australia and NZ,” she said. “It’s customer confirmation that we’re doing things right. The cherry on top is that this the third time we’ve won this award. It’s testament to our hard working crew. We’re delighted to be the best in NZ.”

Nomads Queenstown Backpackers General Manager Aimee Jeffreys says it was the first major award received since the backpackers opened.

“Nomads Queenstown has been open for just over one year and is honored to have won Best Hostel in New Zealand at this year’s Golden Backpack Awards,” she said. “I’m very proud of the staff and hostel for this achievement, especially as it's an award that is voted by the people that matter most to us, our guests."

The World Bar Marketing Manager Gary Livesey said the accolade was the third to be won by the company in the competition’s four year history and continued to recognise the friendly and welcoming nature of the staff at the bar.

“The World Bar has always offered a place for local Queenstowners and visitors to meet and socialize,” he said. “This award is just fantastic for us. It gives great credit to the continued efforts of our team, our fantastic club nights, but most of all the memorable experience we give people on their journey through New Zealand.”

ENDS

Photo captions: 1/ (L-R) The World Bar Marketing Manager Gary Livesey, The World Bar General Manager Morgan Moore, Shotover Canyon Swing Sales Manager Claire Stewart and Nomad Queenstown Backpackers Travel Manager Andre Broughton toast their success lakeside in Queenstown
2/ A thrill-seeker getting ready to jump with Shotover Canyon Swing
3/ Fun in the communal lounge area at Nomads Queenstown
4/ Fancy dress night at The World Bar

About Shotover Canyon Swing: The world’s highest cliff jump, this is not your average backyard experience. Shotover Canyon Swing is an undie staining, adrenalin stimulating activity achieved by launching yourself from a platform perched on top of a very high cliff edge. Reaching speeds of up to 150kph as the rocks rush towards you in a 60m freefall, the ropes then smoothly swing you out across the famous Shotover Canyon. From mild to mindblowing, we’ve got a jumpstyle to suit the most timid of swingers and the most adventurous adrenalin junkie.

About Nomads Queenstown: Backpackers in Queenstown will love Nomads’ newest hostel. With a great location in the heart of Queenstown, a fantastic range of budget sleeping options and amazing facilities it is sure to be New Zealand’s best hostel. The main focus at Nomads Queenstown is high customer service and ensuring every guest has a great stay. Facilities include a cinema room, sauna and daily trip activities. Breakfast is included as are an individual reading lamp and locker to keep belongings safe. Dorms to suit every budget range from large 12-bed dorms to smaller 4-bed dorms with ensuites, as well as female -only dorms. Nomads Queenstown is a Qualmark 5-star rated property and has an Enviro-Bronze rating from Qualmark.

About World Bar: The World Bar has been a leading Queenstown bar for 14 years. Set in a prime central location on Queenstown Shotover Street it is a popular restaurant, function venue and nightclub for both visitors and locals, offering a delicious menu during the day and a unique club experience at night. The World Bar has won Best Bar in New Zealand at the consumer-voted Golden Backpacker Awards three times for its fun and friendly night time venue, offering live djs, relaxing seating areas and Queenstown’s legendary tea-pots.

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Full Awards List
NEW SOUTH WALES -
Best hostel: Wake Up!
Best tour/activity: Oz Intro
Best backpacker night: Oz Party Bus
TASMANIA –
Best hostel: The Pickled Frog, Hobart
Best tour/activity: Adventure Tours 6-Day Taste of Tasmania
Best backpacker night: Republic Bar & Café, Hobart
NORTHERN TERRITORY –
Best hostel: Melaleuca on Mitchell, Darwin
Best tour/activity: The Rock Tour
Best backpacker night: The Vic Hotel, Darwin
WESTERN AUSTRALIA –
Best hostel: Perth City YHA
Best tour/activity: Western Xposure 10-Day Perth to Broome
Best backpacker night: Mustang Bar, Perth
VICTORIA –
Best hostel: Habitat HQ, St Kilda
Best tour/activity: Autopia Tours, Great Ocean Road
Best backpacker night: The Official Neighbours Night
QUEENSLAND –
Best hostel: Bunk, Brisbane
Best tour/activity: Pro Dive Cairns
Best backpacker night: The Woolshed, Cairns
SOUTH AUSTRALIA –
Best hostel: Adelaide Central YHA
Best tour/activity: Groovy Grape, Barossa valley
Best backpacker night: Backpack Oz, Adelaide
NEW ZEALAND –
Best hostel: Nomads, Queenstown
Best tour/activity: Shotover Canyon Swing, Queenstown
Best backpacker night: The World Bar, Queenstown
NATIONAL –
Best car/campervan rental Australia: Travellers Auto Barn
Best car/campervan rental NZ: Jucy Rentals
Best tour operator Australia: Oz Experience
Best transport operator Australia: Greyhound Australia
Best tour/transport operator NZ: Stray
GENERAL –
Best large travel agent: Peterpans Adventure Travel
Best small travel agent: Adventure Travel Bugs
Best backpacker website: Hostelworld.com
Best recruitment company: The Job Shop, Perth
Best indigenous cultural experience: Tamaki Maori Village, Rotorua
PANEL VOTED –
Special recognition award: Matt Hingerty
Innovation award: YHA eNights
Outstanding achievement award: Brett Claxton

ENDS

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