Paparazzo
Queensland is Calling – that’s a wrap
Multiple meetings and functions were held in New Zealand last week when Queensland’s largest delegation yet visited. More than 100 agents, media and other partners attended the events from Tuesday to Thursday.
Taryn Agius, Ocean Free and Ocean Freedom (centre); with Hine Clarke and Michelle Newsome, both Haka Educational Tours
Grace Yang and Zinia Pesuna of Air New Zealand with Emily Zinowki, Visit Sunshine Coast at the trade event in The Glasshouse, Auckland last week
Katie Meek, Qantas; Shar Jones, Bucket List Travel; Koby Jonas, Qantas; Claudia Moir, New Zealand Travel Brokers
Becca Doktan, Tourism and Events Queensland; Stan Zhang, PRO Travel; Lisa Welsh, Dreamworld & Skypoint
Positive vibes at HLO gig
Helloworld Travel is looking forward to another big year in New Zealand, with new blue stores planned for the near future and strong demand already being experienced across the independent, broker and bricks and mortar networks this year.
During a Preferred Partner New Year Celebration at the Sudima Auckland on Wednesday, GM New Zealand Chris Hunter noted that new stores are on the way and that divisions such as GO Holidays, GO Cruise and Williment Travel are all going from ‘strength to strength’ and the Ready Rooms B2B online platform is expanding its footprint.
‘All indications are that we will see continued solid demand in 2024. Consumers are more planned and structured when it comes to travel now but they still value the professional services that our member network provides.’
Caryn Young, Adventure World; Koby Jonas, Qantas; Bev Ellice, helloworld Travel Strandon
Sidh Mahida, helloworld Travel; Melissa Plumb, Destination NSW; Pranjal Avasia, helloworld Travel
Alison Hopkirk, Delta Air Lines; Angela Webber, Globus family of brands; Emma Robertson, GO Holidays; Thomas Gentz, Hurtigruten; Kellie Mackenzie, Scenic Luxury Cruises
Sam Cameron, Destination NSW; Lizzie Brett, Kate Paterson, both helloworld Travel, Khushpreet Kaur, Air Tickets
Steve Tanner, The Walshe Group; Fergus Clark, helloworld Travel; Nicholas Dew, Hawaiian Airlines
Shaun Muller, Chris Hunter, Tania Cummings, all helloworld Travel 
Thushan Mudiyanselage, Qatar Airways; Ian Herald, Malaysia Airlines; Simon Amos, Sabre
Paula Kerr, Singapore Airlines; Kate Porter, helloworld Travel; James Douglas, Singapore Airlines; Tim Swan, Air New Zealand
Industry bowled over in day of fun
More than 50 participants rolled up for the annual Skal Auckland Travel Industry Bowls Tournament on Friday.
After an afternoon of action and fun at Pt Chevalier Bowling Club the TAANZ Cup for first place (15 ends to one) was claimed by Island Time Flyers.
Troubled Defectors (14-5) took the Lloyd Tremain Cup for second place, while the SKAL Cup and third place went to Fijian Flingers (10-8).
The day also included raffles and other chances to win prizes. In a closest to the jack competition, Cruise Ain't For Wimps won and accommodation prize upgraded to a three bed apartment for two nights, sponsored by Quinovic. Priscilla Allington of 360 Beach Babes won a night at QT Auckland with breakfast.. Ana McKearney from Tourism Fiji won an Interislander voucher to the value of $500.
Three of The Troubled Defectors… winners of the Lloyd Tremain Trophy, Tony Smith, Francis Travel Marketing; Tim Butcher, Travel Directions and Adam Butcher
The third placing Fijian Flingers and the Skal Trophy at the Travel Indstry Bowls Tournament – Anna Mckearney, Tom Svensen, both Tourism Fiji; Felicia Verma, Fiji Airways; Sonya Lawson, Tourism Fiji
Ready to bowl. The Island Time Flyers who went on to win the tournament... Matt Taylor, Island Time; James Lesley; Fran McDermott, Island Time; Jonas George, Air Vanuatu
The 360edge Beach Babes.. Sally Brassell, Jemma Vinsen, Roshan Kencalo and Priscilla Allington
Big turnout for Fiji roadshow
Near record arrivals from New Zealand into Fiji have been mirrored by high attendances at the Tourism Fiji roadshow around the country earlier this month. The series kicked off in Wellington, with close to 50 agents then moved on to Christchurch (65), Hamilton (50) and Auckland (140).
Tourism Fiji reports that in July this year New Zealand made up 28% of arrivals into the country, hitting a figure of 25,980 – the second biggest month for Kiwi arrivals recorded.
Michelle Kauffman-Walker and Sonja Dalley, both NZTB with Trish Nicol (centre), Matamanoa Island Resort
Shristi Mala, Hilton Fiji; Gina Courtier, Rachel Gaffikin, both NZTB; Darshita Naidu, Outrigger / Castaway
Kerry Tunnicliffe, Debbie Natoli, Susan Pincock, all Helloworld Mirama; Lavon Achari, Marriott International Fiji
Sarah Rodgers, FC Independent; Brittany Homan, FJ; Prashila Ramritu, Helloworld Featherston Street
Esava Lagilagi, Tom Svensen, Merconi Rakuro, Marika Ratulele, all Tourism Fiji
QF: On the treadmill for a cause
Life in the travel industry can sometimes feel like a bit of a treadmill at the moment – but for those taking part in the Rebel Sport 24-Hour Challenge for Cure Kids last night going nowhere fast was all for a good cause.
Team Qantas included a number of the airline’s employees and travel agency partners, including Flight Centre, helloworld, House of Travel, First Travel Group, Global Travel Network and Corporate Travel Management.
The treadmill and bike relay challenge was held at Eden Park. When the Memo visited late yesterday afternoon, over $7,000 had been raised with more donations coming in. Donations can be made HERE.
Trudi Markham, FC Ponsonby and Rhea Altoft, FC West City
Flynn Cox, Flight Centre Botany
Alex O'Connor, Qantas
Aloma Butler, Qantas
More...
FC independents SOAR
TRAVELinc Memo caught all the action at the business sessions and social gatherings at the Flight Centre Independent conference in Brisbane last weekend.
With the top supplier’s award certificate, Air New Zealand’s Matt Jenkins, Paige Myocevich, CJ McCarthy and Frank Gibbons
Tanya Marriott, Flight Centre Independent; Colin Perry, Travel Managers; Lindsay Stott Cover-More Travel Insurance
Travel Managers top individual broker Kelly Bowater with Angie Mills, who won the independent support staff member of the year award
Christina Boles, Annelies Anderson, Nadine Williams, all Flight Centre Independent
At the welcome event in MOFOs… Angela Mills, chief operating officer TMG; Graham ‘Scroo’ Turner, managing director Flight Centre; Jason Buckley, general manager NZ - FCTG Independent
At the awards night… Peter Manase, Manase Travel Studio; Tori Keating, xtravel; Victoria Courtney, Flight Centre
Jana Cunha (centre), TMG catches up with Lisa Diamond Anthony and Paul Dymond at the sponsor showcase in The Westin Brisbane
From the support team at conference… Sahil Arora, Hiromi Sone; Elyza Taylor, Tasmyn Cleland
At the SOAR conference... Ali Sharp, Travel Managers; Jemma Vinsen, 360edge; James Kavanagh, Flight Centre; David Goulstone, Travel Managers
Amanda Belcastro (centre), Kiwi Holiday Insurance with Travel Managers Ali Sharpe, Anita Gatley, Heika Wetzel and guest Nicole Wetzel
How many awards did you win again? Sue Morley, Kevin White, Leanne Sharp and Courtney Moore, The Travel Professionals
Second prize in the quiz.. a six day Fiordland and Stewart Island Cruise for two presented to Jemma Vinsen, 360edge by Sarah Porter, Wild Earth Travel
A glass of Champagne, courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, helped wrap up the business sessions at the FCTG NZ Independents conference on Saturday…Megan Porter, NCL; Melissa Dodson, Flight Centre Independent; Tracey Brennan, Regent Seven Seas Cruises; Kate Moriarty, Infinity Holidays
Sue Grigg, Travel Associates at Home won a premium economy trip to London for two with China Airlines, presented by Leo Li as the third prize in the quiz
Winner of a package of goodies from Qantas, Trish Little, Flight Centre Independent; Koby Jonas, QF
Gaynor Bennett was the winner of the Great Travel Quiz and was presented with a seven-night Viking European River Cruise for two by Steve Parker
Caryn Young, Adventure World; Alan Ward, Travel Managers
That 70s show: Inbound icon celebrates 50 years
General Travel took guests on a ‘flight of a fabulous 50 years’ when the company marked its significant anniversary with a 70s themed party on Sunday.
Guests at the function, in The Grand Millennium Hotel Auckland, were invited to ‘dress with 1970s flair or flares’ and treated to food, drinks and ‘inflight entertainment’.
Nearby the SkyTower had been lit up for the night in General Travel’s colours.
Executive director Anna Black noted that the industry was operating in ‘a new tourism world’ now and both she and managing director John Sng welcomed guests and thanked industry partners and General Travel team members who had been with them over the years.
Founder Peter Black recalled that the company grew from a meeting he had with original partners John Copplestone and the late Ron Armstrong at a meeting in the Logan Park Hotel in Auckland.
‘We started as The Tour Company and moved on from there.’
Black says not everyone in the industry thought it was a smart move, with at least one associate predicting the venture would fail in a few months.
‘1973 was a difficult year, wth the oil crisis and French nuclear testing in the Pacific.’
Black noted milestones through following years, such as investment in Johnston’s in 1982, opening an office in 1983, and becoming General Travel New Zealand in 1988 among others.
‘I enjoyed the various ups and downs and I would not change anything if I had the time again.’
Michel Adolphe. Sudima Hotels; Annette Nichols, General Travel; Matt Brady, Pan Pacific
Cutting the cake for 50 years of General Travel… John Sng, Peter Black. Anna Clerk (nee Black)
Brett Warman, Fullers360; Trish May, Edgewater/NZ Travel Collective
Keshleen Wilde, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited; Clinton Farley, Britomart Hotel 
Tim Cosser, Te Puia; Mark Rose, The Rees Hotel & Luxury Apartments
Gert Taljaard, Polynesian Spa; Lauren Campbell, Great Journeys New Zealand
Kate Baxter, Patterson Hospitality; Gavin Oliver, EcoZip Adventures; Richard Crouch, Skyline Queenstown
GTN meets in the sunshine
GTN’s 2023 conference officially kicked off with a party at Novotel Sunshine Coast’s Lorikeet Beach, sponsored by Fiji Airways and wrapped up with an awards dinner sponsored by Air New Zealand. In between evening event, agents and suppliers connected during a day of meetings.
Jill Grant, A Walker’s World; Jeni Wharepouri, GTN
Zinia Pesuna, Grace Yang, both Air New Zealand; Natalie Tambolash, Julia Pearson, World Expeditions
Kim Herd, Venture Travel; flanked by Jason Cho and James Song, both Korean Airlines
Lisa Linn, Stuba; Amanda Belcastron, Kiwi Holiday Insurance; Sharon Crowther, ATG; Grace Yang, Air NZ
Jo Rendall, Mariana Stoyanova, both Infinity Holidays; Shona Bracey, AMPED
Angela Lin, Aspire Travel Group was winner of the Great Sunny Challenge and was presented with a 0 Prezzy card by Emily Zinowski, Visit Sunshine Coast and Daniel Wright, Tourism Australia
Nicholas Dew, Hawaiian Airlines; Virender Bakshi, Sky Travel
Sheryn Ambler, Fiji Airways presents Salveen Kumar, Travel Advocates with the FJ top seller award
Rachel Rhind, Michelle Rowe, both Travel Advocates; Lisa Linn, Stuba
Mike Southcombe, Travel Advocates; Jeff Leckey, HOT Cruise; Duncan McKenzie, Singapore Airlines
Aloma Butler, Qantas; Harmanpreet Kaur, Davinder Singh Gill, both Gill Travels
Leo Li, China Airlines; Ian Peddie, Aspire Travel Group at the suppliers expo dring the GTN Conference
Franklyn Las, Hope Las, both Airfil Travel; Felicia Verma, Fiji Airways
Brijesh Sethi, Beyond Holidays; Sinumon Joy, Claire Hadlow, Mint Payments; Hemal Jani, Beyond Holidays
Celebrating all things USA
Skal Auckland’s 4th of July celebration was a couple of days late but that didn’t hamper festivities when members and guests got together at the Longroom in Ponsonby early July. A number of USA suppliers, including airlines and tourism offices, gave short updates and put up some ‘merch’ for raffles.
Chris Ingram, Memphis Tourism; Jonas George, Air Vanuatu
Paul Dymond, Wendy Wu Tours; Brittany Homan, Fiji Airways
Louise Sutton, Flight Centre; Tony Smith, Francis Travel Marketing
Skal Auckland president Megan Singleton, Blogger at Large; Stephen Tanner, Delta Airlines; CJ McCarthy, Air New Zealand
