Alpine Springs ‘on a roll’ with awards success

Alpine Springs ‘on a roll’ with awards success

Lake Tekapo's Alpine Springs complex in the Mt Cook Mackenzie region is on a roll – taking out a supreme business award last night (Thursday Sept 9) and looking forward to the finals of the New Zealand Tourism Awards in October.

Alpine Springs won the Hospitality and Tourism Award at the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards evening in Timaru, then was “thrilled and delighted” to take out the Supreme Business award.

Established in just 2007, the complex is a multi-faceted tourist attraction offering stunning views over Lake Tekapo and surrounding mountains from three large outdoor hot pools, and featuring a day spa, an ice rink that runs as a roller/inline rink over summer, a snow tubing park and cafe.

Alpine Springs’ director Karl Burtscher said he and his staff – which doubles in size from around 15 in summer to approximately 30 in winter – were “over the bloody moon” to win the awards.

“We thought we might be in with a good chance in the Hospitality and Tourism Award section, but to win that and then go on to take out the supreme award was very humbling,” he said.

“It’s great recognition for such a young business and for the hard work of our staff, and to be recognised by your peers is absolutely fantastic.
“We’ve built up a world-class tourist attraction that is utterly unique and fast gaining a reputation for quality and affordability, while also being a leader in innovation, having designed and built a sustainable and environmentally friendly refrigeration, pool and snow making plant system second to none.

“Our mix of recreation and relaxation is unique, and we’ve been a main driver for the large increase in business and bed nights in the Mt Cook Mackenzie RTO area over the last three years.

“We’re establishing a very good reputation domestically and internationally as an attraction that would rival anything around the world, and as a young business we’re delighted to say that we turned a profit in our second year of operation and have seen a 10% increase in business in our third year.”

In mid-October Mr Burtscher and his management team will travel to Auckland as first-time finalists in the Attraction/Experience awards sector of the New Zealand Tourism Awards, and hope to bring back more ‘gongs’ to add to the two trophies and certificates taking pride of place at Alpine Springs from today.

“We’re absolutely on a roll, and just to have made the finals of the New Zealand Tourism Awards is superb,” said Mr Burtscher.

Mr Burtscher said he looked forward to seeing the Tekapo and Mackenzie regions continue to grow as tourist destinations, and thanked the local community for its continued support of the business.

“In a challenging economic environment, our aim is to continue to grow our business,” he said.

For more information about Alpine Springs visit www.alpinesprings.co.nz

Picture caption: Aerial shot of Alpine Springs July 2010

More about Alpine Springs

Alpine Springs has three hot pools shaped in the configuration of the local glacier lakes, Pukaki, Ohau and Tekapo. The pools are fed by underground spring water and are nestled amongst New Zealand natives typical of the local alpine area, and terraced to provide majestic views of the surrounding Southern Alps and Lake Tekapo. Pathways from changing rooms to bathing areas are heated for maximum guest comfort.

The boutique day spa is a peaceful haven within the complex which has views over the pools and out to Lake Tekapo. It encompasses four treatment rooms and offers a full range of treatments including massage, hot rock massage, reflexology, facials, body wraps, manicures, and pedicures. The main complex also features a large sauna, steam room and plunge pool.

The international size outdoor ice rink operates from early April to late September and is a stunning setting for skating, ice hockey and curling. It is then converted to an inline/roller skating rink for the summer months.

ENDS

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