Auckland Airport announces winners of tourism competition

6 August 2015

Auckland Airport announces winners of $100k tourism competition

Auckland Airport has named four New Zealand tourism operators as the winners of its $100,000 tourism competition.

YHA New Zealand, Explore Group, Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei Whai Maia Limited and ZeaYou Travel Limited will each receive $25,000 as the winners of the competition.

Norris Carter, Auckland Airport’s general manager of aeronautical commercial, says the competition was developed to help drive tourism growth from Asian markets during New Zealand’s off peak season of May to September.

“We wanted to inspire businesses to think innovatively about creating experiences that will attract Free Independent Travellers (FITs) in the traditional off-peak season,” says Mr Carter.

“We received many high calibre entries so it was a difficult decision to choose the winning applicants. The prize money will be used by the winners for the development of a seasonally-themed tourism experience for visitors from an Asian market of their choice,” finishes Mr Carter.

YHA New Zealand, one of the successful applicants, is New Zealand’s largest network of backpacker accommodation with a focus on helping youth travellers explore New Zealand.

Brian Westwood, YHA’s Manager, Marketing and Sales, says Chinese youth travellers have become the organisation’s third largest international market behind Germany and Australia.

“This grant provides us with a significant lift in our capability to grow consumer awareness and support among our target audience in China. This is the catalyst we have been looking for, to elevate our presence in China, not only for the short term but also for a much longer term social media strategy,” says Mr Westwood.

Explore Group, also a successful recipient, is a progressive and sustainable company offering an exciting range of tours and cruises with operations across multiple regions including Auckland and the Bay of Islands.

Carole Beggs, Sales Manager for Explore Group, says the company is delighted to work with Auckland Airport to grow its Asian FIT market.

“When Auckland Airport announced this competition we knew it was an excellent opportunity, regardless of the outcome, to really focus on our Asian market. It made us start to think more laterally about the sales and marketing of our product offering – ensuring that we were relevant and telling our stories in the right way to the growing Asian FIT market. We are really excited about the opportunities that will come from working with Auckland Airport to take these products to the market.”

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