Tourism Industry Awards Northland Finalists

Northland Inc congratulates Tourism Industry Awards Northland Finalists

The strong Northland representation, with five finalists in 10 categories in the 2015 Tourism Industry Awards (TIA), speaks volumes for the quality and growing success of the industry in the region says Northland Inc, general manager regional promotions Paul Davis.

A total of 34 finalists from 100 entries for eight business and two individual categories from the $24 billion industry – which aims to grow to $41 billion by 2025 -- were announced this week for the awards which are being revived after a gap of five years.

The five Northland finalists and their categories are: Sarah Greener, The Rock Adventure Cruise, Paihia (Emerging Tourism Leader); Jeroen Jongejans, Dive! Tutukaka (Tourism Industry Champion); Dive! Tutukaka (Business Excellence Award – annual turnover less than $6 million); Dive! Tutukaka (Environmental Tourism Award) and Bay of Islands Destination Marketing Group (Industry Alignment Award).

“As the region’s RTO and economic development agency Northland Inc would like to take the opportunity to congratulate all our finalists,” Mr. Davis says.

“Their selections in half the categories on offer are a fair reflection of progress and growth of quality tourism ventures in the Northland and this is a big positive for the region.”

Sarah Greener from The Rock Adventure Cruise says she is “chuffed and extremely humbled” to be named as a finalist.

“To be one of the finalists representing any of the inspirational tourism companies throughout New Zealand is a huge thing,” she says.

“It is particularly pleasing though to see so many finalists from Northland. It shows the strength of tourism in the North.”

Kate Malcolm, co-owner of Dive! Tutukaka, is surprised but delighted, and says, “There are some fantastic small businesses in the smaller regions, and Tourism 2025 is a framework that easily translates to grass roots actions. “

“The passion of my team just shines. The fact that Tutukaka is up there with the big guns is a reflection on how awesome my team are, and how amazing our destination is. We are humbled, but proud, and very excited to share this with our local community.”

Mr. Davis wished the Northland finalists all the best and much success when the winners are announced at a black-tie dinner in Auckland on Friday, 2 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

For more information on the Tourism Industry Awards, visit www.tourismawards.co.nz

ENDS

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