Tourism Industry Awards finalists named

Tourism Industry Awards finalists named

The finalists in the 2015 Tourism Industry Awards have been named.

Selected from over 100 entries, the 34 finalists across two individual and eight business categories represent most sectors across the $24 billion tourism industry, Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) Chief Executive Chris Roberts says.

TIA has relaunched the Tourism Industry Awards this year to set a benchmark of excellence and celebrate success in New Zealand’s diverse tourism industry.

“The finalists range from big corporates to the SMEs (small and medium enterprises) that dominate our industry, and are spread across the country, from Northland to Otago.”

Mr Roberts says the independent panel of judges, made up of tourism industry and other business sector leaders, was impressed with the high calibre of entries in the expanded and reinvigorated awards programme.

“The awards are closely aligned with the industry growth framework Tourism 2025, which aims to almost double annual tourism revenue to $41 billion by 2025, and represent both individual and business excellence.”

The winners will be announced at a black-tie dinner in Auckland on Friday, 2 October. The winner of the Air New Zealand Supreme Tourism Industry Award will receive international air travel to any Air New Zealand destination in North America, South America or Asia valued at up to $10,000 to help them grow their tourism business.

2015 Tourism Industry Awards Finalists

Emerging Tourism Leader, supported by PATA Trust

Ross Copland, Coronet Peak Ski Area, Queenstown
Sarah Greener, The Rock Adventure Cruise, Paihia
Ryan Sanders, Haka Tours Ltd, Auckland

Tourism Industry Champion, supported by Sudima Hotels & Resorts

Kiri Goulter, Hamilton & Waikato Tourism
Jeroen Jongejans, Dive! Tutukaka
Bruce Thomasen, Skyline Enterprises Ltd, Rotorua

Visitor Experience Award, supported by ServiceIQ

Coronet Peak Ski Area, Queenstown
Dart River - Ngai Tahu Tourism, Glenorchy
Rainbow's End Theme Park Ltd, Auckland
SKYCITY Grand Hotel, Auckland

Business Excellence Award – annual turnover less than $6 million, supported by Westpac

CQ Hotels Wellington
Dive! Tutukaka
Haka Tours Ltd, Auckland

Business Excellence Award – annual turnover more than $6 million, supported by JLT/AIG

Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa
Rainbow's End Theme Park Ltd, Auckland
Skyline Rotorua
Thrifty Car Rental New Zealand, Christchurch

Environmental Tourism Award

Coronet Peak Ski Area, Queenstown
Dive! Tutukaka
The Langham, Auckland
Ziptrek Ecotours, Queenstown

Maori Cultural Tourism Award

Auckland War Memorial Museum
Ngai Tahu Tourism, Christchurch
TIME Unlimited Tours, Auckland

Tourism Marketing Campaign Award, supported by ReserveGroup

Destination Rotorua
Haka Tours Ltd, Auckland
Thrifty Car Rental New Zealand, Christchurch

Industry Alignment Award

Art Deco Trust, Napier
Bay of Islands Destination Marketing Group
Department of Conservation / Air New Zealand - The Great Walk Story
The Middle-earth Trilogy - Te Puia, Hobbiton Movie Set Tours, Discover Waitomo

Tourism 2025 Enabler Award, supported by Auckland Airport

Angus & Associates, Wellington
Positively Wellington Tourism
Taupo District Council, Tuaropaki Ltd, Destination Great Lake Taupo

Awards Supporters

Thanks to our generous Event Partners, Air New Zealand and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and our individual Award sponsors.

For more information on the Tourism Industry Awards, visit www.tourismawards.co.nz

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