Rotorua finalists in 2015 Tourism Industry Awards

Local Te Rina West filming the Famously Rotorua commercials. PHOTO/FILE

Rotorua will have a strong presence at the 2015 Tourism Industry Awards, with finalists in four of 10 awards categories.

The awards have been re-launched by Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) after a five-year hiatus.

Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick is thrilled to see Rotorua featured among the finalists for this year's tourism Industry Awards, citing collaboration as the key to Rotorua's tourism successes.

"Tourism is booming right now - we are getting things right and the list of Rotorua finalists is testament to that. It's fantastic that DRM and our Famously Rotorua campaign has been recognised, showing how we can succeed through collaboration. Another finalist, the Middle Earth Trilogy is also a collaboration, involving one of our iconic tourism operations so again, there's that industry alignment and working together to make things happen.

"I'm also not surprised to see Skyline Rotorua amongst the finalists after their refurbishments and new investment and their hosting of Crankworx, again in collaboration with others for the benefit of Rotorua as a whole."

Destination Rotorua has been named a finalist in the Tourism Marketing Category of the 2015 Tourism Industry Awards on the back of the success of the Famously Rotorua campaign.

"Three years ago we launched the Rotorua Tourism Investment Programme (RTIP) which is an innovative partnership with local industry in a game-changing approach to destination marketing," says Destination Rotorua General Manager Oscar Nathan. "Through this we have sustained the Famously Rotorua campaign which is driving solid growth, particularly from the Auckland market."

In the Individual Awards Skyline Rotorua General Manager Bruce Thomasen is in the running to be named the Tourism Industry Champion, while Skyline Rotorua is also a contender for the Business Excellence Award for an organisation with an annual turnover greater than $6 million.

Rounding out the Rotorua finalists, Te Puia has been named in the Industry Alignment category for their Middle-earth Trilogy product, the result of a partnership with Hobbiton Movie Set Tour and Discover Waitomo.

The tourism awards set a benchmark of excellence and celebrate success in New Zealand's $24 billion tourism industry. The finalists were selected from more than 100 entries and the judges were impressed with the high calibre of entries, TIA Chief Executive Chris Roberts says.

"We have closely aligned the new awards programme with the industry's Tourism 2025 growth framework which aspires to almost double annual tourism revenue to $41 billion in the next decade. We will announce the winners and the Air New Zealand Supreme Award winner at a gala dinner at SKYCITY Auckland on 2 October."

There are 34 finalists representing sectors across New Zealand's diverse tourism industry, ranging from large corporates to small and medium enterprises from around the country.

2015 Tourism Industry Awards Finalists

Emerging Tourism Leader, supported by PATA Trust
Ross Copland, Coronet Peak Ski Area, Queenstown
Sarah Greener, The Rock Adventure Cruise, Paihia
Ryan Sanders, Haka Tours Ltd, Auckland

Tourism Industry Champion, supported by Sudima Hotels & Resorts
Kiri Goulter, Hamilton & Waikato Tourism
Jeroen Jongejans, Dive! Tutukaka
Bruce Thomasen, Skyline Enterprises Ltd, Rotorua

Visitor Experience Award, supported by ServiceIQ
Coronet Peak Ski Area, Queenstown
Dart River - Ngai Tahu Tourism, Glenorchy
Rainbow's End Theme Park Ltd, Auckland
SKYCITY Grand Hotel, Auckland

Business Excellence Award - annual turnover less than $6 million, supported by Westpac
CQ Hotels Wellington
Dive! Tutukaka
Haka Tours Ltd, Auckland

Business Excellence Award - annual turnover more than $6 million, supported by JLT/AIG
Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa
Rainbow's End Theme Park Ltd, Auckland
Skyline Rotorua
Thrifty Car Rental New Zealand, Christchurch

Environmental Tourism Award
Coronet Peak Ski Area, Queenstown
Dive! Tutukaka
The Langham, Auckland
Ziptrek Ecotours, Queenstown

Maori Cultural Tourism Award
Auckland War Memorial Museum
Ngai Tahu Tourism, Christchurch
TIME Unlimited Tours, Auckland

Tourism Marketing Campaign Award, supported by ReserveGroup
Destination Rotorua
Haka Tours Ltd, Auckland
Thrifty Car Rental New Zealand, Christchurch

Industry Alignment Award
Art Deco Trust, Napier
Bay of Islands Destination Marketing Group
Department of Conservation / Air New Zealand - The Great Walk Story
The Middle-earth Trilogy - Te Puia, Hobbiton Movie Set Tours, Discover Waitomo

Tourism 2025 Enabler Award, supported by Auckland Airport
Angus & Associates, Wellington
Positively Wellington Tourism
Taupo District Council, Tuaropaki Ltd, Destination Great Lake Taupo