Jasons Award Keenly Contested

Jasons Award Keenly Contested

Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort in Taupo has scooped the Jasons/HAPNZ SMART Business Award for 2007, impressing judges with its thorough and professional approach. The annual SMART business awards are designed to encourage holiday parks that have faced a challenge during the past year, and overcome it through smart planning and problem solving.

The response this year from Holiday Parks was overwhelming and judge Mary Ansell, General Manager – Business Services said that each property proved to have worked 'smart' in some way, making it tough to choose an overall winner. Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort identified their main challenge in the area of online marketing, putting in place a well focussed plan to drive up online bookings for their Taupo-based property. Judges described the entry as 'very professional and focussed, with clear targets and steps put in place to achieve them.' Congratulations to Barry and Carol Kirkland for the great results achieved from their online campaign.

Runner-up for the Jasons/HAPNZ Smart Business Award went to Thornton Beach Holiday Park in Whakatane. Owners Angi and Dave Edwards and team set themselves a huge challenge to upgrade the park facilities and develop an integrated marketing and branding strategy to boost their business. With a budget and a work plan to follow, this park exceeded expectations. Judges commented in particular on their 'great team communication', and said the difficult challenge had been 'extremely well handled'.

A Special Commendation Award also goes to Tahuna Beach Holiday Park in Nelson. Manager, Ann Cumpstone, set out to transform the park by renovating and upgrading the facilities to make the park more attractive and comfortable to users. It was a 'gutsy challenge' and judges noted a fantastic change to the park, including improved customer feedback and PR processes.

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