Search underway for exceptional young tourism pro

2 May 2008

For immediate release

Search underway for exceptional young tourism professional

Entries for the 2008 PATA Young Tourism Professional Award now called for

Members of the New Zealand tourism industry are being encouraged to nominate their rising stars for the 2008 PATA Young Tourism Professional Award.

The Award is part of the Tourism Industry Awards, managed by the Tourism Industry Association, and recognises aspiring young individuals who are paving the way in the tourism sector.  The winner of the award will receive a grant of $1,500 from the PATA NZ Trust to advance their professional development.

PATA NZ Trust Chairperson Neil Plimmer says: “Tourism is one of the world’s fastest growing industries, but that brings with it a number of challenges.  Succeeding in an environment where there are massive cross-currents of change, from the uptake of online marketing to real concerns about our environmental footprint, demands a new generation of tourism professional.  This award is about recognising and encouraging this next generation of young professionals from the tourism sector to grow their talents in one of our country's most dynamic industries.”

The PATA Young Tourism Professional Award is open to those working in the tourism industry under the age of 35 at the closing date for entries into the award, 26 June 2008.  Finalists will be announced on 15 July, with the winner of the award recognised at a celebratory dinner following the Tourism Industry Conference 2008. 

Jason Dell, executive chef at Blanket Bay Luxury Alpine Resort and 2007 award winner, says the award was a huge accomplishment for him.

“Today’s professional chefs are a new generation of cultural explorers, striving to promote and showcase the best New Zealand has to offer.  This Award confirmed that my pursuit for culinary excellence had and has a clear purpose and that our high standards at Blanket Bay are being achieved and maintained.”

2006 award recipient Melissa Crockett, a director of Potiki Adventures, says the recognition the award gave her made a huge difference to her burgeoning business.

“Setting up my own business offering visitor experiences that have a Maori perspective was incredibly hard work.  I know that our international visitors really rate what we offer, but having received recognition like this from the New Zealand tourism industry continues to mean an enormous amount to me.”   

Other recipients of the PATA Young Tourism Professional Award include Paul Bingham, CEO of Black Cat Cruises; Chris Lamers, former General Marketing Manager of Positively Wellington Tourism; Malcolm Johns, CEO of Intercity Group Limited; Richard Wilson, formerly Tourism Holdings Group; and Simon Douglas, formerly Ministry of Tourism.

For more information and to download the Official Entry Form visit the Tourism Industry Awards website www.tourismawards.co.nz.

About PATA NZ Trust

PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) is a Bangkok-based international organisation committed to sustainable growth and development of the global tourism industry.

The PATA NZ Trust is associated with PATA and managed by a board of New Zealanders committed to professionalism in tourism.

The PATA Young Tourism Professional Award is part of the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) annual Tourism Industry Awards.

The Award includes a grant of $1,500 from the PATA NZ Trust to advance the professional development of emerging talent in the New Zealand tourism industry.

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