Displaying items by tag:Christchurch

Christchurch hotels reported their highest April occupancy since 2019 at 80.9% this year, supported by two major events that drew significant crowds to the city. 

Christchurch is definitely having a moment – more than a moment.

Air New Zealand has announced three new non-stop international routes from Christchurch to Singapore, Tokyo (Narita) and Perth as part of an agreement with Christchurch Airport to grow international connectivity into the South Island.

Vanuatu Tourism Office (VTO) has welcomed the announcement of expanded year-round direct services to Port Vila operated by Solomon Airlines, significantly strengthening air connectivity between New Zealand and Vanuatu.

The 11 Christchurch-based House of Travel outlets got together last week to treat their local suppliers to a Christmas lunch at Hotel Montreal, in recognition of the collective hard work that went into creating a successful 2025.

The event was a chance to relax, connect and celebrate working together. Owner-operators from the 11 Christchurch stores were in attendance, as well as representatives from 12 suppliers, including Stuba, On the Go, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Air New Zealand, The Travel Corporation and Christchurch International Airport (CIAL).

The 28-degree day at the locally owned and operated Hotel Montreal was perfect for a three-course lunch, complete with Christmas truffles.

A special acknowledgement was made to Prue Dunbar, House of Travel regional marketing manager for the Christchurch region, for her passion and energy in delivering results for both suppliers and HoT.

‘We also wanted to recognise how special it is to operate collaboratively as a group of 11 outlets spread across the city. We don’t often get the chance to all come together and reflect on the wins, so it was a great opportunity to toast to the year that was, as well as the year ahead,’ says Dalwyn Sinclair, owner HoT Upper Riccarton.

• Elaine Casey, Air New Zealand; Briar Nash, Christchurch International Airport; Jan Cox, Qantas
• Megan McCall, HoT Christchurch City; Mel Hubber, HoT Ferrymead; Sarah Bright, HoT Northlink; Prue Dunbar, HoT Marketing; Jo Lill, On the Go
• Sarah Crowe, HoT High St Lanes; Charlotte Page, Emirates; Harriett Kesterton, Allianz; Ian Duggan, Emirates
• Jonathan Prager, HoT Rangiora; Ian Collier, Discover Travel; Dalwyn Sinclair, HoT Upper Riccarton

To mark the launch of non-stop flights between Christchurch and Adelaide, Air New Zealand hosted seven local travel trade to South Australia to experience the region’s food, wine and events.

Travel agents across both leisure and corporate sectors were among the around 60 guests helping Air New Zealand mark the launch of its new non-stop service between Christchurch and Adelaide during a function at the Ilex in Christchurch Botanical Gardens this week.

Originair’s new weekday and Sunday service connecting Blenheim and Christchurch began on Sunday, restoring a vital regional air link across the South Island.

Singapore Airlines will return to three daily flights between AKL and SIN from 26 October 2025. This brings the daily service to four with Air New Zealand’s SQ4283/SQ4284 on the route.

Air Vanuatu is looking to increase services to New Zealand even further, following the announcement this week that the carrier will add a fourth weekly service to its New Zealand schedule starting 2 November.

Speaking at the Tok Tok trade event, which is being held in Port Vila now, Air Vanuatu’s executive manager commercial, Greg Wilson says that the airline is ‘strongly considering’ direct flights to Christchurch as well as having a fifth VLI-AKL in its sights.