Christchurch Outlet Winner at National Travel Awards

Christchurch travellers’ continued interest in more ambitious and exotic destinations around the world has seen a local travel agency make a clean sweep of four awards at a national ceremony.

The annual House of Travel Awards, hosted by comedian Jeremy Corbett, were held in Wellington with House of Travel Northlands receiving numerous accolades.

The Northlands outlet picked up the prize of Overall Best Performing House of Travel Outlet, and was also named Top Performing Large-Sized Outlet, Best Performing Outlet for HOT Product Land South Island, and Top House of Travel Air Outlet South Island.

Owner operator Stacey Mullinger says she is thrilled with the four awards won by her team and excited that their ongoing commitment to excellence has been recognised.

“We are all so proud to have won these awards, but we want to acknowledge our customers whose repeat business and loyalty has allowed us to achieve this success,” she says.

“My team and I love what we do and are fortunate to work in an industry where we make our clients dreams become reality.”

The strong Kiwi dollar meant that trips to European countries and Australia continued to prove popular, along with more adventurous trips to locations such as India, South America and Alaska, adds Mullinger.

The awards evening also saw House of Travel recognise the sales success of the Orbit Corporate Travel outlets.

Orbit Corporate Travel in Wellington was recognised for the second year in a row as the Best Performing Orbit Outlet, as well as taking out the Group of the Year - Large Group and Events award, Orbit Account Manager of the Year (Sarah Hill Bennett), and Orbit Rookie of the Year (Kate Wenden).

Paul Rennie, who owns Orbit Corporate Travel Wellington with his wife Adrienne, says they are proud of their team’s achievement and continued success.

“Being imaginative and innovative is a key driver for Orbit Wellington, with a strong focus on exceptional service for corporate travellers,” says Rennie. “We have a commitment to investment in the very best in innovation, technology, marketing, product, and in training and retaining key talent.

“All of that gives us the ability to maintain an unwavering focus on customer needs, and meeting those in the best way we can every time.”

Meanwhile, Paul Johnson from Orbit Corporate Travel in Hamilton, the corporate arm of House of Travel Calder & Lawson, was named the Orbit Consultant of the Year.

Johnson, who has worked for Calder & Lawson for more than 10 years, continued his winning form after being named the Top Performer at the awards last year.

Other winning outlets included; House of Travel Lakers Gore which was awarded Best Performing Small-Sized Outlet of the Year and House of Travel Ashburton which was named Best Performing Medium-Sized Outlet.

Mark O'Donnell, the CEO for House of Travel, says while the way Kiwis see the world continues to change, customers still want consultants with a wide knowledge base and first-hand experience to help them plan their dream trips.

“Getting to know our customers, understanding what they want from their travel experience, and making that come to life for them is the key to all of these outlets and consultants’ success,” he says. “Even in this digital age, it’s clear that Kiwis still value the advice and inspiration offered by House of Travel’s passionate teams.”