NZ tourism industry celebrates top awards

NZ tourism industry celebrates top awards

07 Oct 2013

The New Zealand tourism industry is in celebration mode after a swathe of victories at the 2013 World Travel Awards - also known as the ‘Oscars of the Travel Industry’.

Air New Zealand celebrated a double victory when the Australasian awards were announced in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Double joy
Air New Zealand was voted Australasia’s Leading Airline for the fifth consecutive year, while their new Koru Lounge - at Christchurch International Airport - landed the airline the accolade of being named Australasia’s Leading Airline Lounge.

World Travel Awards President and Founder Graham Cooke said it was a pleasure to see Air New Zealand’s world class service recognised.

"On the occasion of World Travel Awards 20th anniversary I would like to formally congratulate Air New Zealand. It is a real privilege to bestow the World Travel Awards for Australasia’s Leading Airline and Australasia’s Leading Airport Lounge to an airline that continually raises the bar in offering the highest standards of service and care whilst ensuring a uniquely personal New Zealand experience for all its customers."

A variety of top New Zealand boutique hotels and accommodation also won big at the prestigious awards.

Boutique beauties
The Spire Queenstown, a luxury hotel in the heart of the picturesque playground of Queenstown in the South Island, was named Australasia’s Leading Boutique Hotel.

The George Christchurch, which overlooks the iconic Hagley Park and the flowing Avon River near the cultural heart of the city, claimed the prize for New Zealand’s Leading Boutique Hotel.

Auckland’s SKYCITY Grand Hotel was named New Zealand’s Leading Business Hotel.

SKYCITY Auckland Hotels General Manager Callum Mallett said the World Travel Award cements SKYCITY Grand Hotel’s place as a leading hotel in Auckland among business travellers, international tourists and domestic visitors.

"We are very proud to win another significant travel award, following years of providing exceptional service to our customers and maintaining the Grand’s reputation as a top-performing Qualmark five-star rated hotel," Mr Mallett said.

The award comes as the hotel announces plans to invest in an extensive refurbishment of its rooms. These refurbishments are set to be a collaborative effort from a selection of New Zealand’s top designers with the aim of delivering a ‘palette’ of Auckland.

Impressive field
The Rees Hotel Queenstown was named New Zealand’s Leading Hotel Residence.

With exceptional service, traditional Southern Kiwi hospitality, fine dining and good wine, The Rees Hotel Queenstown is perfect for both leisure and business travellers.

"We are thrilled to lead this impressive field of finalists," The Rees Hotel Queenstown General Manager, Mark Rose said.

"Our 90 luxurious apartments and 60 hotel suites on the shores of Lake Wakatipu speak for themselves and our team works tirelessly to consistently provide a discreet service for our luxury guests. They are thrilled to have their work recognized by the leading travel awards of the globe."

Other winners on the night were Paihia Beach Resort & Spa Hotel, in the beautiful Bay of Islands, which was named New Zealand's Leading Spa Resort.

The sublime Eagles Nest, a collection of five luxurious villas located on an exquisite peninsula in the Bay of Islands, won the prize of New Zealand's Leading Resort.

Leading Tourist Board
Tourism New Zealand was also honoured with an award in Dubai after been named Australasia's Leading Tourist Board.

This is the fourth consecutive year that Tourism New Zealand has beaten Australia, Fiji, Tahiti and the Cook Islands.

The Awards were launched in 1993 to acknowledge and recognise excellence in the world's travel and tourism industry. Votes are cast by tourism professionals including travel agencies, tour and transport companies and tourism organisations in over 160 countries around the globe.

This year's Asia & Australasia Gala Ceremony was held in Dubai, while five other regional winners were announced in Antigua, Maldives, Kenya, Turkey and Peru. The six regional winners will be whittled down to one at the WTA Grand Final Gala Ceremony in Qatar on 30 November.

New Zealand winners

• Australasia Leading Tourism Board - Tourism New Zealand

• Australasia Leading Airline - Air New Zealand

• Australasia Leading Boutique Hotel - The Spire Queenstown

• Australasia Leading Villa Resort - Eagles Nest

• New Zealand Leading Boutique Hotel - The George Christchurch

• New Zealand Leading Business Hotel - Sky City Grand Hotel

• New Zealand Leading Golf Resort - Millbrook

• New Zealand Leading Hotel - The Langham Hotel

• New Zealand Leading Hotel Residences - The Rees Hotel

• New Zealand Leading Resort - Eagles Nest

• New Zealand Leading Spa Resort - Paihia Beach Resort & Spa Hotel

Full list of 2013 winners: World Travel Awards 2013, Australasia

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