Exceptional New Zealand visitor experiences up for awards

16 April 2019

Qualmark has announced 41 finalists for the inaugural 100% Pure New Zealand Experience Awards. Over 100 entries were received for this year’s awards, which Qualmark General Manager, Gregg Anderson says is a credit to the high standard of experiences on offer by Qualmark Gold accredited operators.

The 2019 winners will be announced by Minister of Tourism, Hon. Kelvin Davis at parliament on 1 May 2019, forming part of Qualmark’s annual programme of events.

“Qualmark is New Zealand tourism’s official mark of quality and through the 100% Experience Awards our members have highlighted the wide range of exceptional New Zealand experiences on offer,” says Mr Anderson.

“The finalists have demonstrated how tourism businesses can support not only a positive visitor experience, but also a positive host community experience of tourism through the principles manaakitanga, tiaki and whānau.”

The Qualmark 100% Pure New Zealand Experience Award finalists: Abel Tasman Kayaks and Freedom Rentals: 3 Day Classic Auckland Sea Kayaks: Sunset Sea Kayak Tour to Rangitoto Island Auckland Seaplanes: Rangitoto and Islands Scenic Flight Active Adventures: Ultimate South Island Adventure 'Rimu' trip Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari: Whale & Dolphin Conservation Cruise Brancott Estate Cellar Door and Restaurant: Brancott Estate Vineyard Cycle Tour Bush & Beach 2013 Ltd: Wilderness Experience Black Cat Cruises: Swimming with Dolphins Camp Glenorchy: Camp Glenorchy – Eco Retreat Craggy Range Vineyards: Craggy Range Accommodation Discover Waitomo: Ruakuri Cave Dive! Tutukaka Limited: Full gear hire certified diver, 2 dives Franz Josef Glacier Guides: Glacier Heli Hike Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands: The Cream Trip GCH Aviation: Kaikoura Whales Haka Tours Ltd: 16 Day Amplified New Zealand Tour GO Rentals: Car Rental Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa: Adult Entry Hobbiton Movie Set Tours: The Evening Banquet Tour Kaitiaki Adventures: White Water Rafting Okere Falls Kiwi Experience: The Whole Kit & Caboodle Lakestone Lodge: Lakestone Lodge Accommodation Marlborough Tour Company: Seafood Odyssea Cruise Millbrook Resort: Millbrook Resort Mount Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters by INFLITE: Ultimate Alpine Experience - Helicopter & Ski Plane Combo Owen River Lodge: Luxury fly fishing lodge experience Rainbow Springs Nature Park: Day Pass Real Journeys: Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise Real Journeys: Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch Redcliffe Homestead: Bed and Breakfast Accommodation Redwoods Treewalk: Redwoods Treewalk and Nightlights Experience Rotorua Canopy Tours: The Ultimate Canopy Tour SkyScape: SkyScape - Accommodation experience of sleeping in nature Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort: Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort The Rees Hotel, Luxury Apartments & Lakeside Residences: The Rees Hotel TIME Unlimited Tours: Auckland Maori Luxury Tour Ultimate Hikes: Milford Track Guided Walk Whale Watch Kaikoura Ltd: Whale Watch® Tour Wilsons Abel Tasman National Park: Wilsons Abel Tasman 3-Day Kayak & Walk YHA New Zealand: YHA Aoraki Mt Cook Ziptrek Ecotours: Kea tour The judging panel is made up of tourism experts from Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand: Former Chair of Tourism New Zealand, Dame Kerry Prendergast; Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive, Stephen England-Hall; Tourism New Zealand Chief Financial Officer, Sue Parcell; Air New Zealand Head of Sustainability, Lisa Daniell, and; Air New Zealand Sustainability Advisory Panel and Director of the Griffith Institute for Tourism, Dr. Susanne Becken.

Judges will be looking for entries that demonstrate excellence in visitor hosting and a commitment to Tiaki - Care for New Zealand, a tourism industry initiative to encourage travellers to care for people, place and culture while in New Zealand.

For more information visit www.qualmark.co.nz

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