The awards are run by the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA), Air New Zealand and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
The Champion Award recognises tourism professionals who demonstrate business excellence and industry leadership.
Judges said Jongejans was recognised as he ran a high-profile, successful Northland business and had been involved in the industry at many levels.
Jumping in
Jongejans says there was little to see in Whangarei when he arrived from The Netherlands in the 1980s. "It was a service town ... not much happening."
But it wasn't until he literally jumped in to what Northland had to offer that he began to see the region's potential.
"I remember diving in the Poor Knights in 1982 and that's when I saw it first."
Jongejans believes that Northland's marine parks is where the region's tourism potential lies. He has been instrumental in enhancing the Poor Knights marine reserve and hopes that more reserves in Northland will help the region reach its tourism potential.
"Look at the Great Barrier Reef. We have huge potential for something like that here, not the same size, but that same attraction. Northland is subtropical and people come here to spend time on the coast and out on the water."
He agrees that much of Northland's tourism net is cast out over the Bay of Islands, but says Whangarei has has some major projects to line it up with the rest of the region.
While Whangarei was little more than a service town in the 1980s, Jongejans says visitors now come to Whangarei Heads, Tutukaka and Waipu.
"There is potential for Whangarei with the Twin Coast Discovery Touring Route, the Hundertwasser Art Centre and cruise ships, for a start.
"We need to be investment ready, have confidence in our products and in our councils."
"Whangarei can build on that Bay of Islands brand."
Big business
After working for about seven years on a tourism related business, he started Dive! Tutukaka in 1999 with Aussie Malcolm. Jongejans now runs the award-winning company with Kate Malcolm after the pair bought out her father's share.
Jongejans says New Zealand's dairy industry is dwarfed by tourism. "Everyone thinks dairy is the big industry for us. It's not, it's tourism."
Potential is the word Jongejans uses when talking about Northland's tourism.
"We need more hotels here in Northland, we need to step up and ask, 'what is our point of difference?'," says Jongejans. "If we play a leading role in Northland, we really can reach our potential as a destination."
"Yes, I do get frustrated with it sometimes but it's an exciting time for tourism - just look at Tourism 2025."
Tourism 2025, the growth framework to boost tourism revenue from $24 billion in 2013 to $41 billion by 2025, is being led by TIA NZ, of which Jongejans plays a leading national role.
Launched in 2014, the framework focuses on five key themes - growth of sustainable air connectivity; targeting for value; driving value through outstanding visitor experience; productivity for profit and prioritising insight to drive and track progress.
In presenting the award to Jongejans, TIA Chief Executive Chris Roberts said the Tutukaka businessman was "a resolute and effective ambassador for New Zealand tourism across many fronts".
"A successful business leader, he has demonstrated a long-term commitment to the economic viability of Tutukaka as a tourism destination and is a champion of opportunities that have the potential to create great tourism experiences across Northland.
"He has high visibility in Northland as a tourism leader and generously shares his knowledge and energy with the wider tourism industry."
Domestic tourism is the "bread and butter" for tourism operators, according to the TIA.
Jongejans may not be able to multiply Northland's tourism loaves, but he's adamant more marine parks and the protection and attraction of marine life is where the tourism miracle lies.
