Top tour operators recognised by industry

Top tour operators recognised by industry

Two of New Zealand’s top operators have been recognised as the best in the business by their industry peers at an awards dinner held at the Claudelands Event Centre in Hamilton at the annual Tourism Conference.

Pacific Destinationz was named as the “Inbound Tour Operator of the Year”, while local Waikato operator Hobbiton Movie Set Tours received the “Operator of the Year Award” 2014. Inbound tour operators nominate allied supplier members and allied members nominate inbound tour operators. The applicants are judged on their innovation, marketing, business operation, communications, accessibility and industry relationships. The Board then assesses those nominated based on a points system to choose three finalists and it goes back out to the respective member groups to vote for the winners.

Pacific Destinationz – “Inbound Tour Operator of the Year” 2014
For the third year running, allied members of the Tourism Export Council have voted Pacific Destinationz their number one inbound tour operator. In recognition of being a third time winner, Pacific Destinationz was also presented with a “Distinction Triple Winner Award”. The team at Pacific Destinationz are truly honoured and humble in accepting the awards. Managing Director Mark Badland says “to be awarded the prestigious Inbound Tour Operator of the Year in 2012, 2103 and now 2014 is not only an overwhelming experience, but one that inspires us to continue to strive for excellence, and continues to motivate in an industry that we are passionate for. With a stable committed team with multiple language skills, the company fully realises this award is true recognition of the outstanding work of the PDNZ family”.

Pacific Destinationz Limited is a wholly New Zealand owned company operating as a wholesale inbound tour company in New Zealand and Fiji. Pacific Destinationz continues to offer a full range of product to developing markets such as Southern Europe and South America and following recent acquisitions is fast establishing themselves in other traditional markets. They constantly review and improve their approach to technology and are committed to maintaining their position at the forefront of an ever-evolving global travel industry.

Hobbiton Movie Set Tours – “Tour Operator of the Year” 2014
Hobbiton Movie Set Tours was absolutely stoked to be nominated for a second year in the Operator of Year category. They are humbled and believe their nominator best summed up the reason for their nomination.

“Hobbiton embodies what TECNZ wants in an Operator of the Year! For inbound members they work well with wholesale, travel offshore to market and continually improve, invest and upgrade their product. Hobbiton is a world class product who understands and appreciates how distribution works”.

Hobbiton Movie Set Tours based in Matamata, Waikato, is a family owned sheep and beef farm which has grown into a major tourist icon business, operating since the Lord of the Rings Trilogy was released in 1999. The set was rebuilt in 2011 for The Hobbit films and continues to grow visitor numbers year on end.

Owner Russell Alexander says “thank you to our inbound partners and TECNZ for recognising Hobbiton as the Operator of the Year. Our main focus has been working with trade and the one item I love paying is commission – we value our relationships with those who can promote and sell us offshore and look forward to working together in which should be a very exciting year!”

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