Tourism, it’s growing, maturing, developing
It’s a sign the industry is maturing.”
This was the view of Tourist Corporation’s senior Marketing personnel Karla Eggelton and Metua Vaiimene following last Friday evening’s Air NZ Tourism Awards event.
Metua told the Herald the Corporation was encouraged by the Air NZ Tourism Awards which were held before a large gathering of industry members at the National Auditorium. Metua said the awards were a sign the industry is maturing. He said the industry was at the stage where members were assessing themselves against their peers. The industry was continuing to grow, mature and develop.
Metua said the awards celebrate best business practices and encourages these so businesses can be sustainable as well as contributing positively to the industry and economy.
Metua said the Air NZ Supreme Award winner Pai Chambers company Heritage Holdings, which manages and rents out some 80 properties, was a sector of the industry that the Corporation wants to continue to foster.
On the night itself, Metua said it was a grand night, there was a good turn- out, the decorations were beautiful and a lot of thought went into the set up and menu. All in all it was a very exciting and fun evening. It was an opportunity for the industry to get together and celebrate successes and achievements. It was also a chance for fellowship and industry members to look at their own businesses and others to show their successes.
Karla said the industry can look back on a busy July-September quarter where records were broken. Once a year, everyone puts on their best as industry members judge themselves. The best were rewarded.
“It was the second time the awards were held and in two years time I’m sure the industry will come up with something better,” said Karla.
Karla said operators should not be put off entering future awards by thinking the standards may be too high for them to meet. At the Awards she said a spokesperson from Sea Change Villas recommended people apply as it provided people with a great insight into their own product.
People must make a conscious effort to critique themselves, said Karla. Successful business is based on looking at the whole product. In the industry there are expectations and therefore standards.
Karla said the Awards system and processes were well set up to provide a good blend and balance.
Metua said size of operation was not a factor in several categories of the Awards, for instance like Environment.
Karla cited the example of a small operator who went to great lengths to protect the environment and the lagoon adjacent to his units. - Charles Pitt

Herald Issue 554 09 March
- Norm exposes Trio of Doom
- Briefs from PM’s media conference Tuesday
- Tourism Industry ponders $5 million draft strategy
- Norman George resigns from Cook Islands Party
- Letter of Resignation from CIP
- Norman selfish says Prime Minister