Otago Daily Times December 2011

Prestigious award for businesswoman

Queenstown businesswoman Jacqui Spice has been selected by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the Top Travel Specialists for 2011.

The United States magazine has been seeking excellence in the travel industry for the past 12 years - looking for people who can "pull the impossible off" for their clients.

Ms Spice said she was thrilled with the award, not only for herself and her company, Touch of Spice, but also because of what it meant for New Zealand.

"Awards and endorsements from Conde Nast Traveler carry huge prestige with influential people on where they should travel to next.

"Our client base is predominantly Australians and New Zealanders so this award will help us grow our European and American clients immensely."

In 2008, Ms Spice was invited to be a member of the Entrepreneurs Organisation, an international body founded in 1987 which fosters entrepreneurship and was named one of the Conde Nast's Top Villa Specialists in the world in 2009, 2010 and 2011 - the only New Zealander to be awarded the accolade.

Touch of Spice was established by Ms Spice in 2005 following her return to Queenstown after working in Europe on luxury super yachts.

"I saw there was a gap in the market. We have a stunningly beautiful country but no-one was providing a high-level service operation based on meticulous attention to detail that high-end clients expect."

The company employs 10 staff across its offices in Queenstown and Auckland and has several divisions, including the private villa collection, personal concierge service, events, weddings and travel and leisure.

Touch of Spice offers New Zealand's only "true international concierge service", operating every hour of every day throughout New Zealand, meeting clients' every need.

"Nothing is a problem for us, in fact we thrive on the unusual requests seeing them as a challenge.

"It's this approach and attitude that sees our clients coming back year after year."

As part of their service Touch of Spice hand-selects and manages high-end villas throughout New Zealand which are not normally available to the public.

Ms Spice describes her company's offering as "boutique luxury".

"Our itineraries are all individually created, peppered with truly authentic New Zealand experiences which are just not available through an information site or via the internet.

"What Touch of Spice offers that is unique and that is attracting a niche but growing clientele is the ability to offer luxury visitors to our country a backstage pass to our culture, to our people, to the way we do things here in New Zealand but with all the creature comforts they are used to."