Skyline Rotorua takes out top award

Luge operator Skyline Rotorua has undergone an "incredible transformation". Photo / Stephen Parker

Skyline Rotorua has won the top company prize in the tourism industry's annual awards.

The industry's biggest individual award, the Sir Jack Newman Award, went to film director and producer Sir Peter Jackson, who judges called the country's No 1 marketer.

Jackson is also a part-owner of Hobbiton and his planes and artefacts are on display at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre. This year he created The Great War Exhibition in Wellington and he is working with the National Army Museum to create a life-size World War I battlefield in Waiouru.

Judges said Skyline Rotorua was an iconic tourism industry product that has undergone an "incredible transformation" over the past couple of years to attract more visitors, broaden its appeal, drive up revenue and improve guest satisfaction.

The big changes it had made had helped reinvigorate Rotorua.

As part of their prize, Skyline will receive air travel to any Air New Zealand destination in North America, South America or Asia valued at up to $10,000 to help them expand their business. Skyline Rotorua also won the Business Excellence Award for annual business turnover over $6 million.

Association chief executive Chris Roberts said Skyline Rotorua's strategy hit all the key points within the industry's Tourism 2025 growth framework, including generating the growth of shoulder season tourism, productivity for profit and delivering an outstanding visitor experience.

The awards attracted more than 100 entries, a reflection of a buoyant industry that pumps over $65 million daily into New Zealand's economy and supports thousands of jobs in communities all over the country, Roberts said.

Tourism industry's big winners

Supreme Tourism Industry Award, and Business Excellence Award
Skyline Rotorua.
Sir Jack Newman Award (outstanding industry leader)
Sir Peter Jackson.
Emerging Tourism Leader
Ryan Sanders, Haka Tour, Auckland.
Tourism Industry Champion
Jeroen Jongejans, Dive! Tutukaka.
Visitor Experience Award
Coronet Peak Ski Area, Queenstown.
Business Excellence Award (annual turnover less than $6 million)
Haka Tours, Auckland.
Environmental Tourism Award
Ziptrek Ecotours, Queenstown.
Maori Cultural Tourism Award
TIME Unlimited Tours, Auckland.