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