Young Tourism Leader award – three high flying finalists

Young Tourism Leader award – three high flying finalists named

Three contenders have fought off tough competition to be named finalists in the 2014 PATA New Zealand Trust Young Tourism Leader Award.

The award is one of three Tourism Industry Awards that will be presented at the Wellington Airport Summit Dinner in Wellington, 4 November. The awards are managed by the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA).

The three finalists are:

• James Fitzgerald, Managing Director, Rotorua Canopy Tours. James has “lived and breathed” the tourism industry since he left school. He started Rotorua Canopy Tours in 2012 with the aim of building one of the best zipline canopy tours in the world.
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• Tim Keeling, General Manager, Qualmark. After a successful career at Tourism New Zealand, Tim took on the challenging role of leading Qualmark aged just 29. Over the past three years he has made significant improvements within the business.
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• Colette Leonard, Hotel Manager, SKYCITY Grand, Auckland. Colette has been in the tourism industry for 15 years, working in hospitality. Her aim is to make sure SKYCITY Grand is known as New Zealand’s best five-star hotel.
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There was an outstanding number of entries this year, one of the best since the award was established, says Glenys Coughlan, Chairwoman of PATA New Zealand Trust.

“It’s not just about the depth of talent, but the range. We received entries from across the tourism industry, from areas as diverse as outdoor guiding, hotel sales and management, research, adventure activities, regional tourism organisations, food and beverage, and Maori tourism development.

“The quality of these diverse entries shows that the tourism industry has a wealth of young talented leaders who will take us into the future and take the industry to new heights.”

TIA Chief Executive Chris Roberts says it’s crucial to have young talent coming through into leadership positions in the tourism industry.

“Under its Tourism 2025 growth framework, the industry has set itself an ambitious goal of being worth $41 billion by 2025. All of those who entered the Young Tourism Leader Award are already making a contribution – and by 2025 I expect many of them to be leading the charge.

“Congratulations to our three finalists and to all the entrants. They are all inspiring role models who are demonstrating that tourism is a fantastic career option.”

PATA New Zealand Trust

The PATA New Zealand Trust was formed by a group of New Zealand’s tourism leaders when the international body of PATA (the Pacific Asia Travel Association) decided to close down its chapter network. Using the residual funds from the chapter and with further bequests and donations from those involved in the Trust, it developed and supports the annual Young Tourism Leader Award.

Trust Chairwoman Glenys Coughlan says “many of us who have had long careers in tourism have benefitted from being supported or mentored by key figures in the industry.

“The PATA NZ Trust Young Tourism Leader Award is our way of perpetuating the professional development of emerging leaders in the industry and it is incredibly rewarding to see the people who have received our award go on to greater heights during their careers.”

For more information about the Tourism Industry Awards, go to http://tourismawards.co.nz/

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