TIANZ names Tourism Industry Awards finalists

The Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIANZ) has named the finalists in the 2015 Tourism Industry Awards.

Selected from over 100 entries, the 34 finalists across two individual and eight business categories represent most sectors across the $24 billion tourism industry.

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

Commenting on the finalists, TIANZ Chief Executive Chris Roberts explains “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.”

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.

He adds “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 2nd 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

TIANZ acknowledges the support of its 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 

Image shows Coronet Peak Ski Area, courtesy of Ant Wilkins.

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