Do you know a successful young leader with a passion to grow New Zealand’s tourism industry, or an individual who has made a fantastic contribution to the industry over many years?

Entries are now open for the 2014 Tourism Industry Awards, organised by the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand to celebrate excellence in New Zealand’s $24 billion tourism industry.

The PATA New Zealand Trust Young Tourism Leader Award will be presented to a young person (35 years or under as at 31 March 2014) who is successfully contributing to their workplace and also engaging in improving the wider industry.

PATA New Zealand Trust chairwoman Glenys Coughlan says the Young Tourism Leader Award aims to recognise the efforts of young tourism leaders who have the vision and capability to take the industry forward.

“If our tourism industry is to continue to remain competitive on the world stage and grow the contribution it makes to New Zealand then we need to be growing our pool of outstanding young leaders," she says.

The Crowe Horwath International Sir Jack Newman Award is for an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to New Zealand’s tourism industry over many years.

Stephen Hamilton, a Director of Horwath HTL, a member of Crowe Horwath International, says the Sir Jack Newman Award amounts to the New Zealand tourism industry’s Hall of Fame.

“This is the industry’s most prestigious individual award. Past recipients are individuals whose actions and achievements have helped grow tourism into one of the country’s largest and most successful industries, generating jobs and wealth throughout New Zealand.”

The Awards judges will also select the winner of the inaugural ServiceIQ Visitor Experience Award. This award is being sponsored by ServiceIQ to mark the launch of its new Visitor Experience industry training programme.

“The winning business will deliver a world-class visitor experience and contribute to ServiceIQ’s vision of having a world-class service industry in New Zealand, through qualified people,” says ServiceIQ Chief Executive Dean Minchington.

“ServiceIQ is right behind the tourism industry’s Tourism 2025 growth strategy. Recognition and celebration of excellence is important in achieving that, and we’re proud to be involved with these Awards.

“As the industry training organisation for tourism, we’re also helping the industry towards success with an exciting new on-job visitor experience upskilling programme. We’ll be working with tourism businesses to help them fill any skills gaps their people might have, and give them new skills and knowledge.”

Please find more information here.