Intercity Group Ceo Wins National Tourism Award

Malcolm Johns, chief executive of InterCity Group, New Zealand's largest land transport provider, has won the PATA Young Tourism Professional award, one of the New Zealand Tourism Awards announced at this week's national tourism industry conference.

Judges describe the award as recognising a young professional working in the tourism industry as an upcoming "star" of the industry. It recognises their service to the tourism industry, commitment to the development of tourism and their vision of future tourism in New Zealand.

In presenting the award, chairman of the PATA New Zealand Trust, the Hon. Rob Talbot, described Malcolm as "the face of New Zealand's tourism future."

Malcolm Johns has been CEO of InterCity Group since March this year and previously worked for industry stalwarts such as Hyatt Hotels, Mount Cook Group, Tourism Holdings and Jasons Travel Media. He was also elected to the board of the New Zealand Tourism Industry Association earlier this month.

He says he feels extremely honoured to win the award. "To receive this sort of recognition from our industry professionals is tremendous. My vision for tourism in New Zealand is for it to be the country's high value engine room of the economy - one that can operate with comfort and confidence on the global stage."

One of the features in his nomination for the award was his commitment to maximising technology in his business. InterCity Group has led the development and introduction of technologies to create personal transport solutions for the one million passengers InterCity Group carries each year. "Also, we've got 120 vehicles operating across the country every day - we're using technology to improve customer service and real time operational capabilities to ensure we continue to enhance our offering to both our local and international customers," he says.

ENDS