The proof is in the pudding, but rich rewards were served from the judges’ table during the recent Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) Awards. By securing the Industry Collaboration and Alignment crown, the Flavours of Plenty collective has proven it has what it takes to sate the tastes of tourists.
Flavours of Plenty was praised by judges for its foodie community connections, brand, funding platform and food festival while displaying ‘an exciting vehicle to elevate New Zealand cuisine’, with the potential to ‘awaken a sleeping giant within tourism.’
No stranger to the fruits of victory, the collective’s festival was named Best Lifestyle Event and co-winner of the Best Local Government Event at last year’s NZ Events Association Awards.
Launched in 2021, Flavours of Plenty has become the core of Tourism Bay of Plenty’s new culinary tourism strategy, the organisation’s general manager, Oscar Nathan, asserted.
“This award is all about collaboration and alignment. It’s the magic that happens when everyone works together – how communities, councils, and a whole range of visitor sector businesses can make a real impact as we support and celebrate our people, produce, plates and place.
The TIA win exemplifies what it takes for tourism to flourish, he added.
“Local growers, artisans, producers, restaurateurs, chefs, and event organisers are working together across our region to align their offerings to create an award-winning festival and platform that support each other. Together, we’ve put the coastal Bay of Plenty on the map as a must-visit food destination.”
Visit www.tia.org.nz for a complete list of this year’s winners and finalists.
