Tourism Award winners inspire excellence

The winners of this year’s Tourism Industry Awards include a Rotorua nature park, an entrepreneurial young leader and man who was involved in the transformation of tourism from a ‘bit player” in the New Zealand economy into one of its most valuable industries.

Managed by the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand*, the Award winners were announced at a special event in Wellington today. They are:

· DOC Conservation in Action Award: Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park, Rotorua
· Horwath HTL Sir Jack Newman Award: Tony Staniford, Paraparaumu
· PATA Young Tourism Professional Award: Bryan McChlery,Te Anau

“Our winners are an inspiration and a reflection of the depth and quality of New Zealand’s tourism industry,” says TIA Chief Executive Tim Cossar. “In today’s challenging trading environment it is more important than ever that the industry and New Zealand recognise the excellence, innovation and dedication they represent.”

DOC Conservation in Action Award: Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park, Rotorua

Regarded as ‘nature’s wonderland’, Rainbow Springs delivers an exceptional tourism experience that promotes conservation and educates visitors about New Zealand’s natural heritage. The Rotorua attraction has the only kiwi conservation centre in the world which gives visitors a close-up and personal look at the work being done to save New Zealand’s national icon from extinction. This includes hatching over 700 kiwi for release back into the wild. The site currently has over 13 native or endemic animal and bird species on site and over 90 native plant species.

Throughout the year, the team at Rainbow Springs participates in pest trapping, weed control and tree planting onsite, and through external volunteer programmes in their local community. It facilitates courses to teach the correct handling of kiwi eggs for DOC staff, and involves schools and local organisations in conservation initiatives such as worm growing (for kiwi food) and tree planting.

Horwath HTL Sir Jack Newman Award: Tony Staniford, Paraparaumu

Tony Staniford provided outstanding commitment to the tourism industry for more than 30 years, including leading the Tourism Industry Association’s predecessors for over two decades, at a time the industry matured into one of New Zealand’s most valuable foreign exchange earners and a major employer.

During his distinguished career, Mr Staniford advanced domestic tourism as a serious component of the industry; championed the need for robust research to underpin the growth and professionalism of the industry; developed training and education programmes; and effectively lobbied Governments of the day on behalf of the industry.

PATA Young Tourism Professional Award: Bryan McChlery,Te Anau

The entrepreneurial Bryan McChlery is a successful young businessman who has developed and manages three quality tourism businesses in Fiordland, with plans to open a fourth later this year. Under his management, Te Anau’s Top 10 Holiday Park has expanded significantly and developed new and related tourism activities. These include the Top 10 Milford Sound Coach and Cruise business (rebranded Go Milford) and a partnership in Driftaway Rental Campervans. He also has plans to open a retail sightseeing shop in Te Anau.

Mr McChlery is innovative, has strong business acumen, and is widely respected by his peers. A future goal is bringing the status of holiday parks up to the level of top hotels and resorts.