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Fantastic guest reviews have been a major factor in the Himatangi Beach Holiday Park winning the prestigious 2018 Spirit of Hospitality Award sponsored by AA Traveller - the New Zealand holiday park sector’s premier award.

Park owners Alice and Rueben Ebrey are committed to providing the highest level of service every day of the year, explaining “we make it a family rule that when we step out of our house we have a positive outlook so our ‘positive vibes’ can be felt by customers. We always take the time to engage with customers, even when we are busy.”

They analyse guest feedback and monitor all online reviews to make sure they are at the top of their game.

With the Spirit of Hospitality Award made to the holiday park which excels in providing an outstanding visitor experience, judges said the park’s online reviews really tell the story, with guests raving about the customer service:

“Wow. Best camp site in New Zealand. Great owners, friendly and wonderful location.”

“Facilities are spotlessly clean and staff very friendly and helpful. Loved being able to have our dog with us for the night too.”

“Stayed twice here in the last month in my campervan. Owners are very helpful and site has fantastic clean facilities.”

The Holiday Park 2018 Awards were presented at a gala dinner in Hamilton last night (25 July).

Full list of Holiday Park 2018 Award winners:

Spirit of Hospitality - sponsored by AA Traveller
Winner: Himatangi Beach Holiday Park, Manawatu
Finalists: All Seasons Holiday Park, Rotorua Athenree Hot Springs & Holiday Park, Bay of Plenty Miranda Holiday Park, Coromandel Russell TOP 10 Holiday Park, Bay of Islands

Outstanding Service to the Holiday Park Industry
Winner: Richard and Noela Gunson
Richard and Noela Gunson have made an outstanding contribution to the holiday park sector. Richard served for five years as HPNZ President and is still an enthusiastic Board member. The couple travel the country regularly, visiting parks and attending HPNZ events.

This generous couple are always the first to offer assistance and share their ideas. They have also travelled to promote New Zealand at overseas events.

Epay Emerging Star Award (for holiday park professionals under the age of 35)
Winner: Peter Crawford, Manager, New Plymouth's Fitzroy Beach Holiday Park
Crawford has been recognised for his highly successful and professional business approach. He took over the holiday park in 2013 as a family business and since then has grown visitor revenue by over 30% every year. (This award was announced in June).

TIA Sustainability Innovation Award
Winner: Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve, Nelson/Tasman
The Kaiteriteri Recreation Reserve employs over 110 people between November and May and around 50 between June and October. It sustains staff levels through winter by developing products such as the Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park and the associated product development in accommodation and food and beverage. Free to enter, the Mountain Bike Park has taken years of hard work, commercial and environmental planning, community engagement and volunteer activity to develop it into the world-class facility it is today.

Resco Best New Build over $100,000
Winner: Kaikoura TOP 10
More than 20 years old, the main ablution block was letting the 5-star Kaikoura TOP 10 down, with guest reviews noting it wasn’t up to the same high standards as the park’s other facilities. The owners embarked on an ambitious $200,000 facelift for the big bathroom block, and while the Kaikoura earthquake threw a major spanner in the timeline, the transformation is now complete. New features include custom-made heated mirrors, individual automatic flushing urinals and heat pumps on self-timers for guests’ comfort in the colder months.

Resco Best Upgrade under $100,000
Winner: Rotorua TOP 10 Holiday Park
Located at the front of this award-winning park, the interior of this ablutions block was tired and dated and the wet flooring had become a hazard. The owners invested in a $42,000 upgrade, which included the addition of six new toilet cubicles and four showers, the installation of infra-red heaters which are very popular with guests, auto close doors, eco-friendly LED lighting and new double glazed windows.
Highly Commended: Wanaka Kiwi Holiday Park

PGG Wrightsons Park Grounds Award
Winners: Miranda Holiday Park & Rotorua TOP 10 Holiday Park
Miranda Holiday Park, Coromandel
It’s been a whirlwind year of constant activity at Miranda Holiday Park, with a focus on adding value and offering better amenities. Highlights include new family units, $5000 worth of new plants, an all-weather children’s playground, new street signage inside and outside the park, and an increased focus on pest control.

Rotorua Top 10 Holiday Park
Over the past 12 months, park owners Jasmine and Jared Adams have invested the equivalent of $75,000 to upgrade the grounds, including new outdoor furnishings, artwork and outdoor family facilities and activities. Children are a big part of the park’s marketing effort and a new jumping pillow, trampoline areas and playground keep the kids happy while their parents relax.

Predator Free NZ Park Award
Winner: Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort
This park’s predator free programme is focused on achieving solid outcomes to reduce predators and restore native flora and fauna. The programme demonstrates good management and data collection and excellent collaboration and community engagement. There is a strong desire to educate other park owners about the importance and value of New Zealand’s Predator Free initiative.
Highly Commended: Blue Lake TOP 10 Holiday Park

HPNZ President’s Award
Jason Hitchens, Leisurebuilt - for his support of the holiday park sector
AA Traveller - for their long-term support of the holiday park sector

HPNZ Board Service Award
Lee Boot, Alpine Pacific Kiwi Holiday Park, Kaikoura

Seekom Productivity Improvement Award
Te Anau Kiwi Holiday Park

ServiceIQ Award
Hanmer Hot Springs TOP 10 Holiday Park

Images: Reuben Ebrey, who with wife Alice owns and operates Himatangi Holiday Park, winner of The Spirit of Hospitality Award, sponsored by AA Traveller (top) and the Himatangi Holiday Park (below).

Related Articles

23rd July 2018 - Holiday parks key to sustainable tourism growth across New Zealand’s regions

9th August 2017 - Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort wins at local business awards

8th April 2017 - Holiday Parks sector worth over $1 billion to New Zealand’s economy

19th March 2017 - New Zealand holiday parks back efforts to reduce animal predators

25th July 2016 - New Zealand aims to be Predator Free by 2050

27th June 2016 - Biggest summer ever forecast for New Zealand holiday parks

31st December 2014 - New waterslides opened at Taupo DeBretts Spa Resort

28th December 2015 - Major investments in New Zealand holiday parks

16th September 2013 - New Zealand holiday parks confidence on the up

31st January 2013 - New Zealand holiday parks optimistic about 2013

11th July 2011 - Awards recognise excellence in New Zealand holiday parks

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