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Tourism New Zealand (NZ) has been voted Australasia's Leading Tourist Board in the 2012 World Travel Awards (WTA) for the third year running. The win was recently announced at a red-carpet awards gala ceremony in Singapore. Tourism NZ competed with tourism boards from Australia, Fiji, Tahiti and the Cook Islands. WTA was launched in 1993 to recognise excellence in the world's travel and tourism industry. Votes are cast by tourism professionals, including travel agencies, tour and transport companies and tourism organisations in over 160 countries.

Kevin Bowler, Chief Executive, Tourism New Zealand, said, “It is a real honour to be awarded in this category for the third year running. To be recognised by the international tourism industry for the work we are doing in marketing New Zealand is a great achievement and further confirms the success of our 100 per cent Pure New Zealand campaign, our hosted media programme, and the work we do with travel partners.”

This year the Grand Tour sees WTA stage gala ceremonies in the Middle East, Africa and the Indian Ocean, the Americas, Asia and Australasia, and Europe. All regional winners will then compete in a final round of voting. The winners will be announced on the night of the WTA Grand Final on the December 12, 2012.