After a record number of 47 entrants into the 2013 Air New Zealand Cook Islands Tourism Awards this year, the confidential New Zealand based awards assessors have completed their evaluations and 21 hopeful businesses have been named as finalists.

While the Cook Islands Tourism Awards committee themselves are not aware of every entrant they are happy that the confidential New Zealand based awards assessors have advised not only an increase in the number of entrants but moreover an increase in the quality of the applications received.

The winners will not be known until the evening when members of Air New Zealand’s top management deliver sealed envelopes that will be opened at a themed gala evening and announced to an eager crowd.

The Gala Evening will take place from 6pm on November 15 in Ngatipa at the New Zealand High Commission residence.

Tickets to the four course dinner and gala event cost $100 and are available for purchase from today through the Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council treasurer Jan Mellor via email on [email protected] or by calling her on 22166.

The Air New Zealand Tourism Awards finalists are: Budget Accommodation – Puaikura Reef Lodges and Club Raro, Hotels and Resorts – Manuia Beach Resort, Muri Beach Resort, Pacific Resort Group and Sunset Resort, Private Rentals – B’s Beach House-Muri, Raro Beach Batch and Taakoka Muri Beach Villas, Self Catering – Makayla Palms, Sea Change Villas and Te Manava Luxury Villas, Festival and Events – The Edgewater Resort & Spa Events, Vaka Eiva and Wedded Bliss Rarotonga, Tourist Attractions – Captain Tamas Lagoon Cruises, Highland Paradise Cultural Centre and Marlin Queen Fishing Charters, Tourism Industry Support – Island Car and Bike Hire, Maire Nui Gardens and Caf and The Mooring Fish Cafe.