Deadline for prestigious wine tourism awards extended
Monday 19 July 2010, 8:01PM
By Mode Partners
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Time is running out for businesses to get their entries in for the inaugural Christchurch | South Island Best Of Wine Tourism Awards 2011.
Nominations for the awards, which honour outstanding wineries and other tourism related businesses in member cities and regions of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network, were due to close on July 16, but the deadline has been extended to Friday July 30.
Christchurch | South Island, which includes the Waipara Valley, Canterbury, Marlborough, Nelson and Central Otago wine regions, was welcomed as the newest member of the prestigious Great Wine Capitals Global Network in November 2009.
“The clock is ticking, but there is still time for businesses to get their entries in for these prestigious awards,’’ says Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism chief executive Christine Prince.
“These awards carry significant kudos because they are recognised globally as an industry-wide benchmark for success. Only those who are at the top of their game get these awards – so it’s a huge honour.”
This year’s judges include: Central Otago-based tourism consultant Tara Druce; senior lecturer in tourism at University of Otago, Dr Richard Mitchell; head of school of tourism, hospitality and wellbeing at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, Elizabeth Latham; Hell’s Kitchen 2003 winner and Chair of New Zealand Farmers Market Association, Chris Fortune; managing director of Quality Tourism Development, Craig Wilson; product development manager at Tourism New Zealand, Monica Armesto; and senior lecturer in tourism at Lincoln University, Dr Joanna Fountain.
Wineries and wine tourism businesses can apply for awards in the following categories:
• Accommodation
• Wine Tourism Restaurants
• Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences
• Wine Tourism Services
• Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices
Local winners of the Christchurch | South Island Best of Wine Tourism Awards 2011 will receive a certificate, promotion through the Great Wine Capitals Global Network and will go on to compete in the international awards.
International winners will be announced at a gala dinner during the Great Wine Capital Global Network’s AGM and international wine conference, and will receive a Best of Wine Tourism trophy and plaque, as well as international recognition through the Great Wine Capitals Global Network.
The Conference, Wine Discovery New Zealand 2010, will be a cluster of events and wine tours attracting overseas delegates and will be held in Christchurch from 31 October to 4 November.
“I really encourage all the wineries and wine tourism businesses out there who are promoting this region to travellers and to wine lovers of the world to enter,” says Ms Prince.
For more information and to apply for the awards, sponsored by Apex Car Rentals, go online to www.southislandwine.co.nz. Entries close on July 30, and nominated businesses will be visited by a team of judges shortly after.