Haka Tourism Group wins industry's highest accolade

NZ Herald

7 Sep, 2017 11:45 AM3 mins to read

Ryan Sanders CEO and founder of Haka Tourism Group. Photo / File

Ryan Sanders' Haka Tourism Group has tonight won the industry's highest accolade - the Air New Zealand Supreme Tourism Award. Sanders also takes home the Tourism Industry Champion Award.

The 2017 New Zealand Tourism Awards, supported by Air New Zealand and MBIE and owned and organised by Tourism Industry Aotearoa, were held at a black-tie dinner event in Christchurch attended by more than 350 industry leaders and supporters.

Aimed at the high end of the backpacker market, Haka Tourism has been sending visitors on coach tours, down rivers and over mountain sides for the best part of a decade. This year the group will open its first two hotels to support strong visitor growth.

Tourism Industry Aotearoa chief executive Chris Roberts said Haka Tourism was growing at an average of 80 per cent year on year, with revenues for the next 12 months on track to exceed $17 million.

As part of the award, Haka Tourism received international air travel to any destination available on Air New Zealand valued at $10,000 in order to help it grow the business.

Air NZ chief executive Christopher Luxon said the airline was delighted to support the awards for a third year.

"As our tourism industry continues to grow, it's great to celebrate those who are building excellent and innovative tourism businesses and delivering outstanding experiences for our visitors to New Zealand and who are committed to contributing to our country's reputation overseas," Luxon said.

The most prestigious individual award, the Crowe Horwath International Sir Jack Newman Award, went to the late Earl Hagaman for his contribution to the industry. Hagaman, a tourism pioneer and owner of the Scenic Hotel Group, died in May.