Ōtautahi Christchurch Tourism Leaders Take Home National Honours

A host of Christchurch’s tourist attractions and service providers have been recognised at this year’s national tourism body awards with two industry stalwarts acknowledged for their community contribution and striving for excellence. Both recipients are touted as major contributors to the resurgence of Christchurch’s tourism market and cementing its place as a ‘bucket list’ tourist destination.

Christchurch Adventure Park’s Anne Newman has taken out the Akiaki Emerging Tourism Leader Award 2024 – with judges commending her ability to successfully steer the Christchurch Adventure Park through multiple crises.

“Even with the challenges of two major fires, flooding and a pandemic, we’ve emerged stronger and more resilient. Through it all, our community has been our backbone. Without them, we wouldn’t be here today. While I’m delighted to receive this award, it’s really the community and our amazing staff who deserve to celebrate. I can’t wait to see what the next 12 months brings for Christchurch tourism,” says Anne Newman, General Manager at the Christchurch Adventure Park.

The International Antarctic Centre’s David Kennedy won the 2024 Auckland Airport Tourism Industry Champion Award category, for individuals who have been passionate champions of the tourism industry for over ten years. David has been in the game for more than 30 years, described as a safe pair of hands and always striving for excellence.

“I’ve always felt the greatest awards in tourism are the smiles on the faces of your guests. While I’m more than humbled to receive this award, to me it’s a reflection of the hard work of many. I wouldn’t be here without the support of the incredible people I’ve worked alongside over several decades who have all shared in my passion and commitment to making New Zealand one of the best places to visit on earth,” says David Kennedy, General Manager, International Antarctic Centre.

The penguin enclosure is a crowd-favourite amongst younger visitors. Credit: International Antarctic Centre

Christchurch Adventure Park, Ōpuke Thermal Pools & Spa and The Seventh Generation also made the finals, recognised for their community engagement, resilience and regenerative business practice. With the industry sector generating over $1.2B in GDP for Christchurch city and international visitor spending growing, the accolades signal a positive outlook for city and region’s tourism industry future.

“With Christchurch recording the country’s highest hotel occupancy last summer, Qantas boosting Australian airline capacity and significant growth and investment in our city’s visitor economy in the 2023 financial year, business confidence is strong with plenty of tailwinds supporting sustained sector growth,” says Kath Low, ChristchurchNZs Head of Visitor Economy.

“We congratulate all our partners on their well-deserved recognition and thank them for their continued service to this industry celebrating our vibrant destination and profiling our beautiful city and region to the rest of the world,” says Low.