Qualmark 100% Pure New Zealand Experience Awards announced

Qualmark 100% Pure New Zealand Experience Awards announced

Today marks the 25th anniversary of Qualmark New Zealand and to celebrate this milestone the quality assurance organisation has announced a new awards event.

Qualmark is launching the Qualmark 100% Pure New Zealand Experience Awards, which will be held annually in April, together with Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand.

Tourism operators who hold Qualmark Gold status will be eligible to apply for the Qualmark 100% Pure New Zealand Experience Awards each year. Applications will be assessed by a judging panel comprising representatives from Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand.

There are currently 265 Gold Qualmark licence holders across the country among New Zealand’s 1700+ Qualmarked operators.

Qualmark General Manager Gregg Anderson says the Qualmark 100% Pure New Zealand Experience Awards will showcase exceptional visitor experience offerings within the New Zealand tourism sector.

“Entrants will have already shown they have exemplary business and sustainable tourism practices by gaining Qualmark Gold status. To receive a Qualmark 100% Pure New Zealand Experience Award, Qualmark Gold licence holders must show they go the extra mile in providing an exceptional visitor experience,” says Mr Anderson.

“We expect the Qualmark 100% Pure New Zealand Experience Awards will inspire continuous improvement among Qualmark licence holders and encourage other tourism operators to join Qualmark to boost their business and visitor experience profile.”

Over the coming months Qualmark will provide information to Qualmark licence holders about the Qualmark 100% Pure New Zealand Experience Awards criteria, with entries opening early in the New Year.

“This is an exciting evolution of Qualmark and marks the next step in our 25-year journey. Qualmark was established in 1993 to provide the New Zealand tourism industry with a standardised quality assessment process. In 2016 we refreshed our evaluation criteria and introduced the Sustainable Tourism Business Criteria, which licence holders are now assessed against and receive a Bronze, Silver or Gold award based on their performance. The Qualmark 100% Pure New Zealand Experience Awards provide an additional impetus for continual improvement and celebrates that value of Qualmark and the work that goes into becoming the best in New Zealand,” says Mr Anderson.

“New Zealand is renowned internationally for its amazing landscapes, culture and manaakitanga shown to visitors. The Qualmark 100% Pure New Zealand Experience Awards celebrate this ethos and recognise operators that embody this welcoming approach and dedication to providing an exceptional visitor experience and environmentally sustainable practices.

“Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand are the perfect partners for the awards. Both have very clear commitments to manaakitanga, sustainable practices, and are long-time supporters of Qualmark.”

© Scoop Media