Award will turbo charge young tourism leader’s career

Award will turbo charge young tourism leader’s career

Rising stars in New Zealand’s $24 billion tourism industry are being encouraged to enter this year’s PATA New Zealand Trust Young Tourism Leader Award, with the success of past winners testament it will help turbo charge their career.

Entries are now open for this year’s Award, which will be presented to a young person (35 years or under at 31 March 2014) who is successfully contributing to their workplace and also engaging in improving the wider industry.

Winning the 2008 Award was a big surprise says William Goodfellow, Managing Director of Explore New Zealand.

“It was a great acknowledgment of the effort and innovation that has gone into our business, not just from me, but from everyone who has been committed over the years.

“The exposure gained from receiving the award was valuable and surprisingly continues to this day – as recently as the past couple of weeks launching our new Auckland Waiheke and Gulf product media have been asked me about the award. Being involved in the awards process alone is something to be proud of and I certainly encourage the nomination of anyone who is dedicated to building excellence in their tourism business.”

Paul Bingham won the Award in 2003. Today he is Chairman of Canterbury’s Black Cat Cruises and an Air New Zealand Director with a 23 year career working in the UK, USA, Singapore and New Zealand, and previous roles including Chairman of Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism. He’s also expanded his horizons and is Executive Director of Shuttlerock, a visual marketing software company which includes Lady Gaga as a customer.

Mr Bingham says winning the Award definitely helped him on his journey and says it is important to recognise the “up and comers’ in the tourism industry.

“It provides valuable profile for individuals and motivates and inspires others to achieve. Tourism has not always enjoyed the status it has in 2014 and recognising the leaders of tomorrow is important for our sector to retain and bring talent into our industry.”

The 2005 winner was Malcolm Johns, today the Chief Executive of Christchurch Airport International Ltd, a TIA Director and a past CE of InterCity Group.

Mr Johns says winning the award is a welcomed honour for any young person making their way in the tourism industry.

“It is appreciated recognition by established industry leaders that your efforts in the early stages of your career are being noticed and appreciated. When you look at the behaviours exhibited by the winners of this award you can clearly see how these people align with the tourism industry’s aspirations and future goals, as outlined in Tourism 2025,” says Mr Johns.

As well as industry and public recognition of their success, the winner of this year’s award will get introductions and the opportunity to network with some of the tourism industry's most successful leaders.

The PATA New Zealand Trust Young Tourism Leader Award is one of three Awards that will be presented at the Wellington Airport Summit Dinner which will follow the 2014 TIA Summit, taking place in Wellington on 4 November.

Organised by TIA, Awards partners include PATA New Zealand Trust, Crowe Horwath and Horwath HTL and ServiceIQ.

Go to the Tourism Industry Awards website www.tourismawards.co.nz for more information and nomination forms.

Entries close 15 October 2014.

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