Luxury fishing accommodation Owen River Lodge has scooped a major gong at the 2018 New Zealand Tourism Awards.
The Westpac Business Excellence Award, open to New Zealand tourist operators with less than $6m annual turnover, was presented to owner Felix Borenstein at a black-tie dinner in Christchurch on Thursday, September 6.
“I’m incredibly grateful and taken aback,” said Mr Borenstein. “I thought there was some super-stiff competition and I honestly didn’t think we were going to win.”
He acknowledged and thanked his staff, saying, “I might lead them but it is the team that actually did the winning, not me.”
Although other fishing lodges have previously made the finals, Owen River Lodge is the first to win at the awards and was the only Top of the South business to be shortlisted this year.
The judges say Owen River Lodge is a brilliant example of a luxury business delivering an exceptional customer experience. “It is a role model for tourism businesses everywhere and demonstrates the benefits of high value tourism to a small community.”
Over 400 industry professionals and guests attended the gala dinner held at Christchurch’s Air Force Museum, including tourism minister Kelvin Davis and Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon.
The Supreme Tourism Award was won by recreation vehicle business, Tourism Holdings Ltd.
Big win for local fishing lodge
Owen River Lodge owner Felix Borenstein is delighted and honoured to have won an award at the 2018 New Zealand Tourism Awards on September 6. The Owen River Lodge has played a key role in the nationwide ‘Casting for Recovery’ programme, hosting six weekend-long retreats at the lodge. Photo: Supplied.
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