James Fitzgerald, a Rotorua entrepreneur who spotted an opportunity and went on to create his thriving eco-tourism business, has won the 2014 Pacific Asia Travel Association New Zealand Trust Young Tourism Leader Award.
The award was one of three Tourism Industry Awards presented at the Wellington Airport Summit Dinner following the 2014 Tourism Industry Association Summit in Wellington yesterday.
Mr Fitzgerald is managing director of Rotorua Canopy Tours, New Zealand's only native forest zipline canopy tour.
"I spotted the zipline trend emerging overseas in 2008 and realised it was perfect for New Zealand as it could showcase our native forest and the magic of our natural environment."
He embarked on a four-year journey, taking the concept to build one of the best zipline canopy tours in the world from an idea to a successful commercial business, opening for business in August 2012.
"There was no business model to follow, no experts available in New Zealand and everybody telling me that there was no market for this type of product to make a return."
Two years on and the business has hosted 30,000 visitors, around 55 per cent from overseas, and employs 20 staff.
Mr Fitzgerald said an aggressive marketing strategy and ambitious conservation programme had helped the business achieve some incredible results, including being ranked number one activity on TripAdvisor in the North Island and Rotorua.
Awards judge, Pacific Asia Travel Association New Zealand Trust chairwoman Glenys Coughlan, said Mr Fitzgerald was a superb young leader who won the award against some tough competition.
"Having been involved in these awards for more than ten years, I can say that this was by far the best line up of talent that we have ever seen and James should feel a huge sense of achievement.
"Over the past two years he has demonstrated real entrepreneurial acumen. He saw a gap in the market and created an economically and environmentally sustainable business, creating jobs and a new attraction for the Rotorua region."
Tourism Industry Association chief executive Chris Roberts said Mr Fitzgerald epitomised the kind of leadership, entrepreneurial flair, and business capability needed to help the industry achieve its Tourism 2025 aspirational goal of $41 billion in 2025.
"James is a fantastic role model, a young leader who has created a new, successful business. He is also very engaged with the wider tourism industry, working with others to help create a more vibrant, valuable tourism industry."
Mr Fitzgerald's prize includes an opportunity to network with senior tourism industry leaders.
Skyline Queenstown won the inaugural ServiceIQ Visitor Experience Award while Queenstown's Tony McQuilkin won the Crowe Horwath International Sir Jack Newman Award for 2014.