Rotorua's tourism success celebrated

The team from Rotorua Canopy Tours celebrate their three awards, including the supreme award, with Prime Minister John Key at Thursday's tourism industry awards in Auckland. Photo/Supplied

Rotorua's success at this year's Tourism Industry Aotearoa Awards highlights the need for ongoing investment and innovation to support sustained tourism growth, mayor Steve Chadwick says.

Rotorua Canopy Tours took the supreme award at Thursday night's awards, also winning the Environmental Tourism and Visitor Experience categories.

Rotorua Lakes Council's tourism arm, Destination Rotorua, won the Industry Alignment category for its tourism investment partnership which funds the Famously Rotorua campaign while Jared Adams from the Rotorua Top 10 Holiday Park was a finalist in the emerging leader category.

Rotorua Canopy Tours directors James Fitzgerald (right) and Andrew Blackford. Photo/File

Rotorua Canopy Tours co-founder and director James Fitzgerald said it was a night full of surprises and his team were really happy with the result.

"It went pretty good, we were surprised by the result and the way Canopy Tours was spoken about by the judges was fantastic."

He said in terms of marketing and promotion it would do great things for the business and they needed to now capitalise on that success.

"I was really pleased the industry recognised the small businesses who are providing great experiences and it was cool they also recognised what we do for our visitors."

Mr Fitzgerald said the company, which opened four years ago, now employed 22 full-time staff.

He also praised the council's Famously Rotorua marketing campaign.

"The way the council has run their campaign over the years has meant we have also been benefactors of that, without a doubt."

Mrs Chadwick said overall it was a fantastic achievement for Rotorua.

"The second year running the top award has come our way with Skyline Rotorua winning the supreme award last year.

"It makes me very proud."

"Canopy Tours' award was so fitting for a young company with a sustainable visitor product.

"Their business ticks all the boxes of looking after the land, species protection, history, storytelling and adventure tourism.

"The judges told me Canopy Tours' application was a real standout."

She said the Famously Rotorua campaign had helped turn around the perception of Rotorua among domestic visitors and was delivering excellent results.

"Rotorua has refreshed its visitor experience on so many levels and we should all be proud of and celebrate this. Tourism is on a roll and our local winners and finalists are leading the way for others, helping to maintain the district's status as a key New Zealand destination."

Mrs Chadwick said Rotorua had seen a lot of investment and innovation from tourism operators in recent years and it was important to keep the momentum going.

"That will require ongoing commitment from both local and central government to ensure tourism, as a key economic driver, is supported by adequate infrastructure.

"We want to be an outstanding visitor experience and to be able to sustain the great growth we're currently enjoying and that requires a certain level and standard of infrastructure and the ability to maintain that."

She said while some local infrastructure, such as water and wastewater, was able to cope with increased demand, Rotorua's roading corridors needed significant investment and air connectivity needed improving.

Rotorua has also been identified as needing a five-star hotel and is one of the areas New Zealand Trade and Enterprise is focusing on to speed up private investment in hotels around the country.