Business

Hotel group earns top title at tourism industry's gala awards

23:02 pm on 24 October 2019

A New Zealand hotel group has taken out the top title at the tourism industry's gala awards night in Christchurch.

Sudima Hotel in Auckland. Photo: Google Maps

More than 430 industry leaders and supporters celebrated achievements in tourism, with a special focus on environmental sustainability.

Sudima Hotels received the Air New Zealand Supreme Tourism Award, also taking out the Tourism Talent Employer of Choice

Award and the Enviro-Mark Solutions Environmental Award.

The awards' judges said Sudima had a broad range of initiatives that were making a difference to the business, the environment, and community.

Glenys Coughlan took out tourism's most prestigious individual honour, the Horwath HTL Sir Jack Newman Award, after an extensive career including high profile management positions at Air New Zealand and Tourism Central Otago.

More than 365,000 people work in the visitor economy, which is nearly 15 percent of the total number of people employed in New Zealand.

Tourism Industry Aotearoa chief executive Chris Roberts said the awards were extremely competitive, reflecting a thriving industry.

Tourism Industry Association chief executive Chris Roberts Photo: RNZ / Teresa Cowie

After receiving more than 110 entries for the awards, they were whittled down to 37 finalists.

"It's pleasing to see the focus our business winners are putting on environmental and host community sustainability, as well as financial performance," Mr Roberts said.

Tourism is in the country's biggest export earner, and is a $107 million per day industry.

2019 New Zealand Tourism Awards winners:

Air New Zealand Supreme Tourism Award, Tourism Talent Employer of Choice Award, Enviro-Mark Solutions Environmental Award:

Sudima Hotels

Horwath HTL Sir Jack Newman Outstanding Industry Leader Award:

Glenys Coughlan

Marsh Tourism Industry Champion Award:

Fergus Brown, Holiday Parks New Zealand

PATA New Zealand Trust Emerging Tourism Leader Award:

Trent Yeo, Ziptrek Ecotours, Queenstown

Auckland Airport Tourism Sustainability Business Excellence Award - more than $6m annual turnover

Air New Zealand

Tourism Ticker Tourism Sustainability Business Excellence Award - less than $6m annual turnover

Redwoods Treewalk & Nightlights, Rotorua

Community Engagement Award

Stray & Kohutapu Lodge, Murupara

Department of Conservation - Conservation Award

Black Cat Cruises, Akaroa

Westpac Economic Success Award

Skyline Queenstown

Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment Industry Connections Award

Development West Coast - Tourism

The Great Journeys of New Zealand Industry Enabler Award

Department of Conservation - 2018-19 'Kiwi Way' summer visitor campaign

He Kai Kei Aku Ringa Māori Tourism Award

MDA Experiences, Rotorua

Angus & Associates Visitor Experience Award

Owen River Lodge, Murchison

NZME People's Choice Award

Forgotten World Adventures, Taumarunui