Media Release
26 June 2012
New Tourism Industry Awards And Scholarship Announced For Hawke’s Bay

The Hawke’s Bay Tourism Industry Association (HBTIA) Board, led by Chairman Sam Orton in conjunction with Hawke’s Bay Tourism, are introducing the Hawke’s Bay Tourism Industry awards to recognise local tourism providers delivering exceptional visitor experiences.

“Our industry as a whole does not currently have a vehicle to recognise and celebrate our local, often unsung heroes, who deliver an exceptional visitor experience. It’s time to celebrate the achievements within the tourism industry and to acknowledge those who are running successful businesses, particularly in these times of economic adversity” says Mr Orton.

Entries will open on 1 July and members of the Hawke’s Bay Tourism Partnership programme across all sectors will be eligible to enter and will be asked to complete a short questionnaire and brief business plan.

Entrants will be judged by an independent panel, which will include AA Tourism GM Peter Blackwell, Dave Simmons - Air New Zealand GM Online & Leisure and Hawke’s Bay Tourism board member, along with local judges Stuart Webster, Partner at Sainsbury Logan and Hawke’s Bay Airport board member and Jenny Robertson, EIT Head of Tourism and Hospitality.

The awards will culminate in a night of celebration on Thursday 20 September at the Skyline Aviation Hangar at Hawke’s Bay Airport. The top 10 businesses will be announced and showcased, and the top 3 businesses of these will be announced and will go forward as the finalists in the 2012 Westpac Chamber of Commerce awards, where a new category tourism winner will be announced.

Hawke’s Bay Tourism General Manager Annie Dundas says Hawke’s Bay Tourism is delighted to be involved with the launch of these awards. “It’s easy to get bogged down in these difficult economic times so it’s wonderful to have an opportunity to celebrate the success and innovation of our local tourism operators.”

HBTIA surveyed its members and 93% of respondents were in favour of the awards, with 42 businesses saying they definitely would consider entering.

Comments from survey respondents included “It's a fantastic idea. Motivates the award winners, and also motivates potential award winners to up their game for the good of the region.”- Mike Lewis, Hawthorne House. “Anything that helps develop awareness of improved customer service and innovations has to be a positive.”-Andrew Buenter, Navigate Seaside Accommodation.

The event will be funded by a mix of ticket sales and sponsorship, with any proceeds being used to create an industry scholarship, which will be awarded to an EIT tourism and hospitality student. Finer details of the scholarship are still being finalised.

Additional Info:

Hawke’s Bay Tourism is a limited liability company of which Hawke’s Bay Tourism Industry Association (HBTIA) is the sole shareholder.

ENDS

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