Entries open for expanded New Zealand Tourism Awards 2023

Entries have opened for the New Zealand Tourism Awards 2023, hosted by Tourism Industry Aotearoa, with the Supreme Tourism Award and Tourism Excellence Award joining the line-up.

The Tourism Excellence Award will celebrate well-rounded, high-performing tourism businesses that are working towards all commitments of the Tourism Sustainability Commitment (TSC) and have regenerative ambitions. An evolution of the Regenerative Tourism Award 2022, the Tourism Excellence Award is available to two exceptional businesses, one large and one small-to-medium.

The tourism industry’s highest accolade, the Supreme Tourism Award will be selected by an expert judging panel from the nine business award winners.

Advising that the reintroduction of these awards to the line-up is a positive reflection of the industry’s progress and recovery, Tourism Industry Aotearoa Chief Executive, Rebecca Ingram stated “with recent forecasts suggesting tourism is helping New Zealand avoid recession, and the successful return of TRENZ in May, our industry is proving its resilience and moving from strength to strength. Feedback from our members told us the time was right to include these aspirational awards, which set a high bar for our industry and are heavily competed for.”

 In total, three awards for individuals are open to outstanding performers in the industry, and nine awards will recognise visitor experience, community engagement, an exceptional Māori operation, environmental initiatives, an employer of choice, industry alignment and organisations that are living the values of the TSC.

Winners will be announced at a special New Zealand Tourism Awards dinner on 7th November in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, following Tourism Summit Aotearoa.

Looking forward to the event, Te Papa Director of Museum and Commercial Services, Jake Downing added “we are so thrilled and privileged to be hosting the awards at Tākina and having the opportunity to show case our new venue to the tourism industry.”

The New Zealand Tourism Awards are open to both members and non-members of TIA.

2023 Categories and Criteria

Supreme Tourism Award 
The tourism industry’s highest accolade, the Supreme Tourism Award will be selected from the nine business award winners. The actions or initiatives and results achieved by the business or organisation will have created a step-change that makes an outstanding contribution to growing a regenerative tourism industry that benefits New Zealanders.

Tourism Excellence Award 
The Tourism Excellence Award recognises a tourism business that has the wellbeing of communities at its heart, is representative of our culture and values, has an excellent visitor experience at its core, it nurtures the natural environment and is brought to life by a profitable enterprise that shows a high level of responsibility. 
There are two categories for this Award: 
• Large business (over $6 million annual turnover)
• Small-medium business (under $6 million annual turnover)

Community Engagement Award  
The Community Engagement Award recognises a business that is a leader in engaging and supporting vibrant communities.

Tourism Talent Employer of Choice Award 
The Employer of Choice Award recognises a tourism business that has risen to workforce challenges, and is maintaining a positive and high performing workplace, with industry leading practices and innovations to retain and recruit staff.

Environment Award 
The Environment Award recognises an environmentally sustainable tourism business that actively supports and champions environmental initiatives that reduce carbon emissions, minimise waste, and embrace kaitiakitanga - guardianship and protection of our natural, built and cultural resources.

Industry Collaboration and Alignment Award 
The Industry Collaboration and Alignment Award recognises a Regional Tourism Organisation, Economic Development Agency, central or local government agency, research organisation, education provider, sector association, industry business, or group of two or more businesses that have aligned/partnered to successfully maximise their tourism industry impact and results.

He Toa Takitini Māori Tourism Award 
The He Toa Takitini Māori Tourism Award recognises a tourism business that is delivering an authentic Māori tourism visitor experience or product, incorporating the core values of manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga and whanaungatanga into its business and its visitor offering, and demonstrating rangatiratanga within the tourism industry.

Resilience and Innovation Award  
The Resilience and Innovation Award recognises a tourism business that exemplifies innovative and creative problem-solving alongside operational business excellence.

Visitor Experience Award 
The Visitor Experience Award recognises a tourism business that is meeting and exceeding the expectations of visitors.

The following categories are open to individuals 
Marsh Tourism Industry Champion Award  
The Tourism Champion Award recognises an outstanding tourism professional who has been in the tourism industry for more than 10 years.

Emerging Tourism Leader Award  
The Emerging Tourism Leader Award recognises an outstanding tourism professional who has been in the tourism industry for less than 10 years. 

Sir Jack Newman Award 
Nominations for the Sir Jack Newman Award for Outstanding Industry Leader are also open. The Sir Jack Newman Award is the New Zealand tourism industry’s most prestigious individual award. This award recognises an individual’s outstanding contribution to New Zealand tourism over many years. 

Click here for more information on the award, including entry criteria.

Image: Past New Zealand Tourism Awards winner Ziptrek Ecotours.