Media release from Nelson Tasman Tourism

Abel Tasman Nominated in World Travel Awards

The Abel Tasman National Park has been nominated as Leading Beach Destination in Australasia in the World Travel Awards.

Known as “the Oscars of the travel industry” the World Travel Awards were launched in 1993 to acknowledge and recognise excellence in the world's travel and tourism industry. Votes are cast by 217,000 travel professionals including travel agencies, tour and transport companies and tourism organizations in over 160 countries across the globe. Members of the public are also invited to vote at www.worldtravelawards.com/vote

The Abel Tasman National Park competes for the title of Leading Beach Destination in Australasia against such coastal icons as the Far North’s Ninety Mile Beach, Aitutaki in the Cook Islands and Bondi Beach in Sydney. If selected as the winner, the Abel Tasman will then compete for the title of Leading Beach Destination in the World, at the Grand Final in New Delhi in December 2012.

Nelson Tasman Tourism International Marketing Manager Loren Heaphy says “It’s a great privilege for the park to be nominated for a World Travel Award and I strongly encourage everyone to log in and vote"

"We are fortunate to have such a beautiful natural paradise in our backyard and it is fantastic to see it being recognised on a global stage. The work that the Department of Conservation, local tourism operators and the Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust all do to maintain the pristine environment of the park while also welcoming a quarter of a million visitors a year is to be applauded and this is a credit to their work”

The Abel Tasman National Park is no stranger to awards, having been voted the Number One Destination in New Zealand in the AA 101 ‘Must Do’s’ for Kiwis. Images of its golden beaches are used internationally to promote New Zealand, and it is widely recognised as one of the key reasons international tourists visit the Nelson Tasman region.

Other New Zealand tourism businesses and destinations feature in the World Travel Awards including: Air New Zealand for Leading Australasian Airline; Wellington International Airport for Leading Australasian Airport, and Tourism New Zealand for Leading Tourist Board. Tourism New Zealand picked up the award for Australasia's Leading Tourist Board in 2011 and is hoping for a repeat performance again this year. A full list of nominations is available on the website at www.worldtravelawards.com/nominees

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