At the Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) Awards, RealNZ was named the supreme award winner, and also won the tourism excellence award (large business) and tourism environment award, while iFLY Indoor Skydiving Queenstown won the community engagement award, recognising its commitment to community involvement through its Whakamana Youth Empowerment Programme, launched in 2021.
Additionally, former Queenstowner David Kennedy — who headed Destination Queenstown for a decade and was then Ngai Tahu Tourism’s southern regional GM before shifting to Christchurch, where he’s the International Antarctic Centre general manager — won the prestigious tourism champion award.
Of RealNZ, judges noted the Queenstown-based company’s "unwavering commitment to sustainability" and lauded it as a "jewel in the crown" of New Zealand’s tourism industry.
CEO Dave Beeche says the recognition reflects both the business’ rich history, and RealNZ’s continued commitment to experience delivery and conservation.
"We couldn’t be more thrilled to be recognised by the judges for this mahi."
iFLY owner Matt Wong says they’re "deeply honoured" to be awarded for their innovative programme, developed in response to mental health and wellbeing challenges faced by primary school-aged kids.
In collaboration with the Whakatipu Youth Trust, Te Hau Toka, Health NZ Te Whatu Ora, and local schools, since its inception the programme’s engaged 460 year 7 and 8 students, offering them a supportive environment to discuss mental health and build resilience.
"We believe that businesses have a vital role to play in fostering wellbeing and resilience, and we are proud to contribute through the Whakamana Youth Empowerment Programme," Wong says.
"This recognition reflects our team’s unwavering commitment to supporting our community, especially our youth, in navigating mental health challenges."
