Hawke's Bay Tourism chairman George Hickton this week received the tourism industry's most prestigious individual accolade, the Sir Jack Newman award, at the New Zealand Tourism Industry Awards in Auckland.
Mr Hickton joined Hawke's Bay Tourism in 2011 after 10 years at the helm of Tourism New Zealand from 1999 to 2009, during which time he drove the development of the 100% Pure New Zealand international marketing brand.
Speaking from Auckland yesterday, he said he had no inkling that he would be an award recipient on Thursday.
"I have been a judge of these awards and I went up there on their invite, as well as to support Hobbiton who were up for some awards.
"I was surprised to get it."