Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa named among country’s best for sustainable
tourism.
Tourism New Zealand has granted a Qualmark Gold Sustainable Tourism Business Award
to the North Canterbury alpine thermal pools and spa complex.
The award means Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa is among those businesses
‘leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world-class sustainable
visitor destination’.
Judges noted that the tourist attraction is, “an exceptionally good and well-run business.”
Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa general manager Graeme Abbot says the award is
testament to staff and customers who have adapted to the last two years of business
operations.
“Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we continued to strive for excellence across all
levels of the business with a continued focus on sustainability. So where we can’t recycle
rubbish, it is compacted.
We preserve heat loss and save on electricity by covering the pools when they are not in
use, and our methane electricity generator continues to bring great savings by converting
methane to a future energy source.”
Judges acknowledged too that despite trading in and around lockdowns, and at reduced
capacity under traffic light settings the complex evidenced best practice. Best practice and
excellent standards were evident across economic, environment and culture, social and
people and health and safety within the business.
Graeme says maintaining excellence has never just been about the complex as an individual
business.
“This award is for the Hurunui region, home to countless small and locally-owned
businesses who have supported us and joined us in creating an attractive destination to our
domestic visitors over the past two years.”
The Qualmark awards can be used as a guide by travellers who want assurance that they
are paying for high quality, safe and sustainable NZ experiences.
“Now that we are opening back up to the world again these awards are even more
important. We want to showcase the very best to international visitors and attract travellers
from all over. This gives eager travellers peace of mind at a time when many businesses will
be vying for tourism dollar once more,” says Graeme.