SKAL's Auckland November lunch was sponsored by Expedia TAAP at Parnell Rose Gardens. Club vice-president Derek Batchelor-Cook stepped up to the mark n the absence of president Gary Dickson, who is attending the SKAL World Conference in Monaco.

• Richard Fletcher, Fine Travel; Chris... Richard Fletcher, Fine Travel; Chris...
• Delwyn Sinclair, Peugeot Eurolease; Allan... Delwyn Sinclair, Peugeot Eurolease; Allan...
• Richard Froggitt, Macao Tourism; Margaret... Richard Froggitt, Macao Tourism; Margaret...
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The sun was out, the bubbly was cold, and the entertainment was great when cievents hosted clients and business partners to a Melbourne Cup function at the Ellerslie Racecourse Champagne Lawn on Tuesday. The event included a give-away for two tickets on Emirates to Australia.

• Sophie Nieuwenhuijsen, Kim Martin, and... Sophie Nieuwenhuijsen, Kim Martin, and...
• Clare Michelsen, John (JR) Robertson,... Clare Michelsen, John (JR) Robertson,...
• Lee Williamson and Shannon Whitta,... Lee Williamson and Shannon Whitta,...
• Melanie Cottrell, cievents; Andy Cranch,... Melanie Cottrell, cievents; Andy Cranch,...
• Dana Duxfield, Nick Queale, Flight... Dana Duxfield, Nick Queale, Flight...
• Dave Coombes, Nick Queale, Flight... Dave Coombes, Nick Queale, Flight...
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An exchange rate of 10 rand to one New Zealand dollar, about double what it was just a few years ago, gives an added incentive for clients to head to South Africa, agents heard during a function at the Grand Millennium Auckland this week.
South African Tourism, South African Airways and a number of suppliers and wholesalers hosted about 60 retail agents to drinks, dinner and a presentation detailing the new consumer campaign – Wow in Every Moment, the accessibility of the country via Sydney or Perth and the variety of attractions and activities available.
Yana Shvarts, acting country manager Australasia with South African Tourism, says the night also tackled the question of safety. ‘We do suffer with a perception that the destination is unsafe and the only way we can challenge that is to show people the actual situation. We take agents on an experiential journey at our functions to show the what the country is really like.’
The New Zealand market was up 17.3% year on year to South Africa for the first six months of the year and Shv arts is positive about current mood in the marketplace (though no figures beyond June are currently available).

• Maxwell Burns, Champion Travel, Napier;... Maxwell Burns, Champion Travel, Napier;...
• Clare O’Bree, Leanne Constantino, both... Clare O’Bree, Leanne Constantino, both...
• Sue Hamilton, G Adventures; Susan... Sue Hamilton, G Adventures; Susan...
• Jessica Oswald and Sarah Brittenden,... Jessica Oswald and Sarah Brittenden,...
• Donna Baker, Fine Travel; Judith... Donna Baker, Fine Travel; Judith...
• Annette Dunning, Travel Managers; Wayne... Annette Dunning, Travel Managers; Wayne...
• Shane Ogg, House of Travel... Shane Ogg, House of Travel...
• Jenny Coughlan, House of Travel... Jenny Coughlan, House of Travel...
• Tom Wardell, Adventure World; Ryan... Tom Wardell, Adventure World; Ryan...
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Soaring Kiwi visitor numbers into Argentina delivered an industry delegation from the South American destination to Auckland last night. Around 120 people attended The National Institute of Tourism Promotion of Argentina (INPROTUR) roadshow held at SkyCity, which had also called in on Sydney and Melbourne. Argentina recorded a 204% increase in travellers from New Zealand during the first quarter of 2016, while Australian figures rose by 31.8%. The Kiwi visitor growth can be largely attributed to last December’s launch of Air New Zealand’s thrice weekly direct flight connecting Auckland to Buenos Aires. The roadshow was designed to inspire and educate travel agents, giving them the chance to meet face-to-face with industry partners from Argentina. Meanwhile, wholesalers were invited to attend specially created workshops. Industry partners including cruise operator Antarpply Expeditions, boutique travel agency Across AR, wholesaler and tour operator Eurotur and all-round tourism operator Gador Viajes were among the Argentinean operators who took part in the roadshow.

• Viva expeditions’ Rachel Williams; Jo... Viva expeditions’ Rachel Williams; Jo...
• Green Lite Travel’s Elena Maloletikina... Green Lite Travel’s Elena Maloletikina...
• House of Travel Ponsonby’s Shane... House of Travel Ponsonby’s Shane...
• YOU Travel CBD’s Kathryn Manihera... YOU Travel CBD’s Kathryn Manihera...
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A group of around 30 trade and media hit Monday morning running mid July when they attended the East Coast USA workshop. Attendees met with 29 representatives from New England, New York City, New York State, Philadelphia, Washington DC and New England in a fast-track run of five-minute interviews at the Maritime Room in Auckland.

East Coast USA delegates then wooed around 100 trade representatives at a function at The Maritime Room last night. The event, bolstered this year by increased airline options to America from New Zealand, has grown from last year when it pulled 20 exhibitors to the city.