The sky’s the limit for Supreme Tourism Award Winner

The sky’s the limit for Supreme Tourism Industry Award Winner

Skyline Rotorua, an attraction that offers a visitor experience and customer service second to none, has won the tourism industry’s highest accolade, the Air New Zealand Supreme Tourism Industry Award.

Managed by the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) with Award Partners Air New Zealand and the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment, the awards were announced at a black-tie dinner in Auckland this evening attended by more than 300 industry leaders and supporters.

The Awards judges said Skyline Rotorua is an iconic tourism industry product that has undergone an incredible transformation over the past couple of years to successfully attract more visitors, broaden its appeal, drive up revenue and improve guest satisfaction. The big business changes it has made have helped reinvigorate Rotorua.

Located just minutes’ drive from downtown Rotorua, high up Mt Ngongotaha, the adventure and family attraction includes thrilling rides like the Zoom Zipline and Sky Swing, a Mountain Bike Gravity Park, nature trails, wine tasting, a restaurant and shopping.

As part of their prize, Skyline Rotorua will receive 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 business.

Skyline Rotorua also won the Business Excellence Award for annual business turnover over $6 million, supported by JLT/AIG.

TIA Chief Executive Chris Roberts says Skyline Rotorua’s comprehensive strategy hits all the key points within the industry’s Tourism 2025growth framework, including generating the growth of shoulder season tourism, productivity for profit and delivering an outstanding visitor experience.

The industry’s most prestigious individual award, the Sir Jack Newman Award, supported by Crowe Horwath International, went to film director and producer Sir Peter Jackson, who judges called Destination New Zealand’s number one marketer. Sir Peter is also a part-owner of Hobbiton, supporting the development of this world-class tourism attraction. His planes and artefacts are on display at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre. This year he created The Great War Exhibition in Wellington and he is working with the National Army Museum to create a life-size World War One battlefield in Waiouru.

TIA launched the new and expanded awards programme this year, closely aligned to the tourism industry’s Tourism 2025 growth framework which aims to almost double annual tourism revenue to $41 billion by 2025.

The new-look awards attracted more than 100 entries, a reflection of a buoyant industry that pumps over $65 million daily into New Zealand’s economy and supports thousands of jobs in communities all over the country, says Mr Roberts.

“We had entries from organisations of all sizes and sectors across our diverse industry, and it’s fantastic to see an attraction from the birthplace of tourism in New Zealand take out the top prize.”

A full list of Tourism Industry Award winners follows.

About the Awards

TIA launched a new and expanded awards programme this year to set a benchmark of excellence and to celebrate success in New Zealand’s diverse tourism industry. Three individual and nine business awards were presented. The awards are closely aligned to the industry’s Tourism 2025 growth framework which aims to almost double annual tourism revenue to $41 billion by 2025. Thanks to Awards Partners Air New Zealand and Ministry of Business and Employment, and supporters.

For more information go to www.tourismawards.co.nz.

2015 Tourism Industry Award winners

• Air New Zealand Supreme Tourism Industry Award, and
Business Excellence Award – annual turnover more than $6 million,
supported by JLT/AIG
Skyline Rotorua
•
• Sir Jack Newman Award (outstanding industry leader)
supported by Crowe Horwath International
Sir Peter Jackson, Wellington
•
• Emerging Tourism Leader, supported by PATA Trust
Ryan Sanders, Haka Tours Ltd, Auckland
•
• Tourism Industry Champion, supported by Sudima Hotels & Resorts
Jeroen Jongejans, Dive! Tutukaka
•
• Visitor Experience Award, supported by ServiceIQ
Coronet Peak Ski Area, Queenstown
•
• Business Excellence Award – annual turnover less than $6 million,
supported by Westpac
Haka Tours Ltd, Auckland
•
• Environmental Tourism Award, supported by Mercury Energy
•
Ziptrek Ecotours, Queenstown

• Maori Cultural Tourism Award, supported by Spark Business
•
TIME Unlimited Tours, Auckland

• Tourism Marketing Campaign Award, supported by ReserveGroup
•
Thrifty Car Rental New Zealand, Christchurch

• Industry Alignment Award,
supported by the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
•
Department of Conservation / Air New Zealand - The Great Walks Story

• Tourism 2025 Enabler Award, supported by Auckland Airport
•
Angus & Associates, Wellington

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