Qualmark is New Zealand tourism’s official quality assurance organisation, providing a trusted guide to iconic travel experiences.

Owned by Tourism New Zealand and backed by leading industry organisations, Qualmark provides a grading system for accommodation providers and a quality assurance programme for visitor activities, service and transport providers, as an official mark of quality.

Qualmark 100% Pure New Zealand Experience Award 

The Qualmark 100% Pure New Zealand Experience Awards were held annually to recognise tourism businesses that made an outstanding contribution towards their people, community and through their actions.

In 2021, 12 Qualmark Gold awarded businesses were recognised as delivering a 100% Pure New Zealand experience demonstrating their commitment to the three award pillars of manaakitanga, tiaki and whānau.

These awards are no longer being given out. 

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Tourism Export Council (TEC) Inbound Tour Operator

The Tourism Export Council of New Zealand (TECNZ) is a trade association that represents the interests of the New Zealand inbound tourism industry adding value to tourism businesses and to providing a vital link between tour operators and suppliers of New Zealand products and services.

As a member of TECNZ, an inbound tour operator member has confirmed their commitment to the Tourism Export Council Code of Ethics and Practice.

These operators are all Qualmark members having undertaken an assessment by the New Zealand tourism industry’s official quality assurance program. 

Tourism Export Council provides more information and a list of member Inbound Tourism Operators.

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Bronze Sustainable Tourism Business Award

To achieve a Bronze Award a tourism business must meet all Qualmark’s minimum standards contained in the Sustainable Tourism Business Award criteria.  It identifies a business with a high level of professionalism, an awareness of the impact it has on the environment and a customer centric approach.

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Silver Sustainable Tourism Business Award

A Silver Award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations.  Proactive leadership and management ensure that a culture of high performance is evident throughout the entire business.  The business will have a real focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to ensure the tourism product they deliver is a genuine, constantly improving sustainable experience.

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Gold Sustainable Tourism Business Award

A Gold Award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand, with the delivery of exceptional customer experiences an integral part of everything they do.  A Gold Sustainable Tourism Award identifies those businesses leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.

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