Tonight is arguably the biggest evening in the tourism industry's calendar – the New Zealand Tourism Awards dinner.
The dinner will be hosted at Horncastle Arena, Christchurch, where finalists will be recognised and winners will be crowned.
It's also an opportunity for those in the industry to get together and celebrate the success of organisations and individuals.
There are a number of categories to be won, including Emerging Tourism Leader, Industry Champion, Maori Tourism, Community Engagement and more.
The winner of the highly-coveted Air New Zealand Supreme Tourism Award will also be announced at tonight's event.
Last year's Air New Zealand Supreme Tourism awards went to Tourism Holdings Ltd, with judges saying that tbh is an amazing success story, revealing incredible vision and commitment in a fiercely competitive environment.
2019 Individual Award Finalists
PATA New Zealand Trust Emerging Tourism Leader Awards Finalists:
Jason Dawson – Hamilton and Waikato Tourism
Trent Yeo – Ziptrek Ecotours
Adrian Thompson – GO Rentals
Marsh Tourism Industry Champion Award Finalists:
John Barrett – Kapiti Island Nature Tours
Fergus Brown – Holiday Parks New Zealand
Lisa Li – China Travel Service (NZ) Ltd
2019 Business Awards Finalists
Auckland Airport Tourism Sustainability Business Excellence Award – More than $6m annual turnover:
Air New Zealand
INFLITE
Southern Discoveries
Tourism Ticker Tourism Sustainability Business Excellence Award – Less than $6m annual turnover
Forgotten World Adventures
Katikati Adventures
Redwoods Treewalk and Nightlights
He Kai Kei Aku Ringa Maori Tourism Award:
Katikati Adventures
MDA Experiences
Wharewaaka o Poneke Enterprises Ltd
Westpac Economic Success Award:
GCH Aviation
Redwoods Treewalks and Nightlights
Skyline Queenstown
The Great Journeys of New Zealand Industry Enabler Award:
Auckland Airport
Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) and Tomahawk
Department of Conservation
Tourism Industry New Zealand Trust Community Engagement Award:
Coastal Pacific, A Great Journey of New Zealand
Stray and Kohutapu Lodge
Skyline Queenstown
Angus and Associates Visitor Experience Award:
Auckland War Memorial Museum
GO Rentals
Mad Campers Ltd
Owen River Lodge
Tourism Talent Employer of Choice Award:
AJ Hackett Bungy NZ
GCH Aviation Ltd
SkyCity Entertainment Group
Sudima Hotels
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Industry Connections Award:
CamperMate
Development of West Coast – Tourism
Hamilton and Waikato Tourism
Enviro-Mark Solutions Enviromental Award:
Auckland Zoo – Te Whare Kararehe o Tamaki Makaurau
Kiwi Experience
Sudima Hotels
YHA New Zealand
Department of Conservation Award:
Auckland Whale and Dolphin Safari
Auckland Zoo – Te Whare Kararehe o Tamaki Makaurau
Black Cat Cruises
Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony
