Rotorua entrepreneur wins young tourism leader award

Soaring success - Rotorua entrepreneur wins young tourism leader award

James Fitzgerald, a Rotorua entrepreneur who spotted an opportunity and went on to create his thriving eco-tourism business, despite the naysayers, has won the 2014 PATA New Zealand Trust Young Tourism Leader Award.

The award was one of three Tourism Industry Awards presented at the Wellington Airport Summit Dinner following the 2014 TIA Summit in Wellington yesterday. The awards are managed by the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA).

Mr Fitzgerald is Managing Director of Rotorua Canopy Tours, New Zealand’s only native forest zipline canopy tour.

“I spotted the zipline trend emerging overseas in 2008 and realised it was perfect for New Zealand as it could showcase our native forest and the magic of our natural environment.”

He embarked on a four-year journey, taking the concept to build one of the best zipline canopy tours in the world from an idea to a successful commercial business, opening for business in August 2012.

“There was no business model to follow, no experts available in New Zealand and everybody telling me that there was no market for this type of product to make a return.”

Two years on and the business has hosted 30,000 visitors, around 55% from overseas, and employs 20 staff.

Mr Fitzgerald says an aggressive marketing strategy and ambitious conservation programme have helped the business achieve some incredible results, including being ranked number one activity on TripAdvisor in the North Island and Rotorua.

Awards judge, PATA New Zealand Trust Chairwoman Glenys Coughlan, says Mr Fitzgerald is a superb young leader who won the Award against some very tough competition.

“Having been involved in these awards for more than ten years, I can say that this was by far the best line up of talent that we have ever seen and Jamie should feel a huge sense of achievement.

“Over the past two years he has demonstrated real entrepreneurial acumen. He saw a gap in the market and has created an economically and environmentally sustainable business, creating jobs and a new attraction for the Rotorua region.”

TIA Chief Executive Chris Roberts says Mr Fitzgerald epitomises the kind of leadership, entrepreneurial flair, and business capability needed to help the industry achieve its Tourism 2025 aspirational goal of $41 billion in 2025.

“James is a fantastic role model – a young leader who has created a new, successful business. He is also very engaged with the wider tourism industry, working with others to help create a more vibrant, valuable tourism industry.”

Mr Fitzgerald’s prize includes an opportunity to network with senior tourism industry leaders.

PATA New Zealand Trust
The PATA New Zealand Trust was formed by a group of New Zealand’s tourism leaders when the international body of PATA (the Pacific Asia Travel Association) decided to close down its chapter network. Using the residual funds from the chapter and with further bequests and donations from those involved in the Trust, it developed and supports the annual Young Tourism Leader Award.

Trust Chairwoman Glenys Coughlan says “many of us who have had long careers in tourism have benefitted from being supported or mentored by key figures in the industry.

“The PATA NZ Trust Young Tourism Leader Award is our way of perpetuating the professional development of emerging leaders in the industry and it is incredibly rewarding to see the people who have received our award go on to greater heights during their careers.”

For more information about the Tourism Industry Awards, go to http://tourismawards.co.nz/

ENDS

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