Christmas spirit brings reward at Holiday Parks 2015 Awards

Christmas spirit brings reward at Holiday Parks 2015 Awards

Demonstrating the spirit of Christmas has helped a Masterton holiday park win the prestigious AA Traveller Spirit of Hospitality Award for 2015.

Jelena and Rodney Algie of the Mawley Holiday Park received the award at the annual Holiday Parks Awards.

The Awards ceremony was held during the holiday park sector’s annual conference, attended by about 300 Holiday Accommodation Parks Association of New Zealand (HAPNZ) members.

HAPNZ Chief Executive Fergus Brown says Mawley Holiday Park has done an outstanding job in taking what was a basic camping ground to a Qualmark rated 4 star plus holiday park.

AA Tourism Publishing General Manager Moira Penman says the staff at Mawley Holiday Park demonstrated they were willing to go out of their way to make their guests feel at home.

“AA is delighted to be associated with this award which recognises parks that go the extra mile to make their visitors welcome,” Ms Penman says.

Last Christmas the team prepared a traditional European breakfast for Christmas morning complete with freshly baked German breads, bagels, croissants, mortadella and a variety of other dishes in addition to their regular Kiwi fare, all to make their German guests feel at home.

The other big award of the night went to Doug and Rhonda Levien, who were named as winners of the Outstanding Service to the Holiday Park Industry Award, sponsored by the TOP 10 Group.

Now retired and living in Greymouth, Mr and Mrs Levien have shown a lifelong dedication to the holiday park sector, Mr Brown says.

“They are both known for never saying no when it comes to helping and advising others. And they have built a family dynasty of quality holiday parks throughout the country,” he says.

For more information on the Holiday Parks 2015 conference, go to www.holidayparks.co.nz/conference-program

A full list of Holiday Park 2015 Award winners follows.

AA Traveller Spirit of Hospitality Award

Winner: Mawley Holiday Park, Masterton

Finalists: Beachaven Kiwi Holiday Park, Waihi Beach
Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park
Waikanae Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park
Whangateau Holiday Park

Outstanding Service to the Holiday Park Industry, sponsored by the TOP 10 Group

Winner: Doug and Rhonda Levien

ServiceIQ Visitor Experience Award

Winner: Raglan Kopua Holiday Park, Rob and Mark Clark

Jasons Smart Business Award

Winner: Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort

Finalists: Koutu Beach Holiday Park
Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park

Tourism Industry Association – Tourism 2025 Innovation Award

Winner: Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort

Tourism Industry Association Innovation Award

Winner: Urenui Beach Camp, Taranaki

Finalists: Mangawhai Heads Holiday Park
Mercury Bay Holiday Park
Ruakaka Holiday Park
Whangateau Holiday Park

Seekom Innovation in Online Marketing

Winner: Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort

Highly commended: Belt Road Seaside Holiday Park, New Plymouth

Resco – Best Upgrade Award

Winner: Sandspit Holiday Park, Warkworth, owned by Jared and Zena Morrison

Highly commended: Belt Road Seaside Holiday Park, New Plymouth
Fitzroy Beach Holiday Park, New Plymouth

Finalists: Foxton Beach Holiday Park
Hot Water Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park
Orewa TOP 10 Holiday Park
Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park
Rotorua TOP 10 Holiday Park
Ruakaka Beach Holiday Park
Urenui Beach Camp, Taranaki

PGG Wrightson Turf – Park Grounds Award

Winner: Hot Water Beach TOP 10 Holiday Park, owned by Sheree and Grant Webster

Highly commended: Flaxmill Bay Accommodation and Campground

Finalists: Rotorua TOP 10 Holiday Park
Te Anau Lakeview Holiday Park
Te Anau Kiwi Holiday Park
Urenui Beach Camp, Taranaki

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