Two Queenstown businesses were last night recognised at the annual Tourism Industry Awards in Auckland, attended by more than 300 people.
Ziptrek Ecotours was announced as the winner of the Environmental Tourism Award and Coronet Peak Ski Area, owned by NZSki, won the Visitor Experience Award.
The awards programme is managed by TIA, with partners Air New Zealand and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
Skyline Rotorua won the Business Excellence Award for annual business turnover over $6 million and also won the Supreme Tourism Award.
TIA launched a new and expanded awards programme this year to set a benchmark of excellence and celebrate success in the industry.
Association chief executive Chris Roberts said the new-look awards attracted more than 100 entries, a reflection of a ''buoyant industry'' that pumped more than $65 million daily into New Zealand's economy.
''We had entries from organisations of all sizes and sectors across our diverse industry and it's fantastic to see winners from regions across the nation, including Queenstown.''
The industry's most prestigious individual award, the Sir Jack Newman Award for outstanding industry leader, was presented to Sir Peter Jackson, described by judges as ''New Zealand's No1 marketer''.
