Established tourism operators will go head to head with newer businesses in this year’s New Zealand Tourism Awards.
The finalists for the most prestigious awards in New Zealand’s $39.1 billion tourism industry were announced yesterday.
37 finalists from around New Zealand are in the running for 16 awards. The winner of each business category is then in contention for the Air New Zealand Supreme Tourism Award that comes with a prize valued at more than $20,000. The NZME People’s Choice Award is up for voting from the public for all finalists that have a customer-facing business.
The 2019 Awards have been updated to align with the New Zealand Tourism Sustainability Commitment, recognising environmentally sustainable and financially successful tourism businesses that embrace kaitiakitanga. Three new awards – for Community Engagement, Employer of Choice Award, and Economic Success – have attracted strong interest from entrants.
“More than 100 tourism businesses and individuals have entered the awards, which celebrate the industry’s success, and recognise the efforts of operators to provide economic, environmental and social benefits to New Zealanders and Aotearoa,” Tourism Industry Aotearoa chief executive Chris Roberts says.
“I’d like to congratulate everyone who took the time to enter the Awards, even if they didn’t make it to finalist status. The Awards are a valuable opportunity to benchmark your business against your peers and demonstrate that you are striving to be the best.”
Three leading tourism professionals will also be recognised with individual awards. As well as the Emerging Tourism Leader Award and Tourism Industry Champion Award, the Sir Jack Newman Award will be announced. Annually since 1963 this award has recognised an individuals outstanding contribution to tourism in New Zealand.
All the winners will be revealed at a black-tie dinner in Christchurch on Thursday, October 24.
