Hot Topics
Expanded Trafalgar approach makes things simpler for agents
Introducing new travel categories and unifying the 2027 portfolios of Insight Vacations and Costsaver under the Trafalgar name comes after considerable consultation with the travel trade, including agents in New Zealand, says TTC’s senior vice-president Oceania Andrew Young.
Photo opps for clients (and agents), new ship, coming brochure and a back story
The rise of the amateur photographer is a trend travel agents could take more advantage of and one way to do it is to recommend an expedition cruise to any snap-happy clients, says Aaron Russ, commercial director and expedition leader of Heritage Expeditions.
Seven continents by private jet
Abercrombie & Kent has announced The Seven Continents by Private Jet: One Extraordinary World, a 28-day expedition running 3-30 January 2028. It will become the first journey in the company’s Private Jet programme to touch all seven continents in a single itinerary and New Zealand is one of the stops.
LTC deepens its NZ presence, flagship event on way to ZQN
The Luxury Travel Collection (LTC) is continuing to build its presence in New Zealand, welcoming a significant group of established NZ luxury travel businesses into the network from July, alongside Travel Associates.
Tax confusion dampener, but trade enthusiasm for Fiji high at roadshow events
Lack of clarity and continued confusion around Fiji’s Tourist Service Tax has been a shadow over an overall positive vibe during the Fiji Roadshow events this week.
Back-Roads updates agent discount offers, guarantees 2026, adds to loyalty rewards
Back-Roads Touring is giving travellers and travel advisors greater confidence to book the remainder of 2026, guaranteeing all remaining departures across UK / Europe for the rest of 2026.
Nat Geo Signature with G adds 17 new itineraries
National Geographic Signature with G Adventures is expanding its fast-growing high-end collection of expeditions with 17 new itineraries. The latest additions bring the total number of trips to 67 across 48 destinations. Signature is also bringing community tourism into the luxury travel space, creating opportunities for travellers to connect with local people, cultures and traditions while helping tourism deliver lasting benefits to the communities that host them.
Lucrative travel agencies for sale, but who is in the market and ready to buy?
Finding willing and ready buyers is emerging as a hurdle for the growing number of veteran travel business owners seeking to exit, according to an accounting consultant who specialises in the industry.
Innovative Travel joins The Luxury Collection
Innovative Travel has been selected as an official supplier member of The Luxury Collection, led by Dani Galloway global managing director, Luxury FCTG. The partnership connects travel advisors across Australia and New Zealand with Innovative Travel’s 36-years of operational expertise.
More growth to come, says SLH executive
Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) continues to expand its international footprint and is adding new properties to its portfolio by the month, according the company’s senior vice-president Asia Pacific, Mark Wong.
Envoyage’s global GM: AI changes client needs, doesn’t eliminate agents
AI-triggered changes in the way customers approach travel planning will play into the hands of talented advisors, according to Astrid Richardson, global general manager of Envoyage.
Trust recession, loneliness epidemic are trends travel industry can benefit from
Travel agents are in the perfect position to take advantage of many modern trends – especially if they focus on factors such as trust, connection creation, shared humility and marking milestones, delegates at the Envoyage summit in Adelaide heard over the weekend.
Buckley: Unpredictable is now a market condition
A continued strategy around growth, be that agencies, brokers or sub-brokers, is an important part of Envoyage’s plans over the next 12 months, delegates at group’s summit in Adelaide heard over the weekend,
Inbound trade urged to put recovery in rear-view mirror
The time to be talking about recovery in New Zealand’s tourism sector is over, a major in-bound travel trade conference heard last week.
Family business succession in focus
When it comes to succession, within the family or otherwise, good planning is essential for tourism company owners wanting to keep options open, a workshop at the Tourism Export Council Conference heard last week.
Nicole Pluck, NZ manager of the Family Business Association, says there are a number of succession challenges to be addressed as business owners prepare to pass the business to the next generation – and poor preparation can reduce the choices available.
Global biz travel spend to hit record, high prices main driver
Global business travel spending is forecast to reach a record US$1.71 trillion in 2026, with the number of business trips worldwide expected to surpass 1.84 billion.
Take fresh approach to China, operators urged
New Zealand tourism operators need to be thinking about the Chinese market in a different way than they have in the past, according to Lisa Li, managing director of China Travel Services.
Majority of travellers using AI but traditional channels growing too, event hears
A significant majority of travellers are now using AI to help plan their trip, but that doesn’t mean they are abandoning other existing channels, delegates at a major tourism conference in Christchurch has heard over the last two days.
International Rail launches sales guide for travel agents
International Rail has launch of its newest resource for the travel trade – the Agent Sales Guide. Created specifically for agents, the guide is designed to make promoting, selling and booking rail product easier and more intuitive. It is available both as a physical book and a digital version.
WWT launches earlybird, notes booking trends
Wendy Wu Tours has launched its 2027 and 2028 earlybird sale, with savings of up to $2,000 per person across all fully escorted group tours departing in 2027 and 2028.
TTC Tour Brands reports late bookings surge, says agents in position to benefit
TTC Tour Brands is reporting strong, continued momentum in last-minute travel demand, revealing an 11% year-over-year increase in July bookings across Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, Costsaver and Contiki brands.
Fuel shock keeps prices up, but relief likely in 2027, says global business travel report
Following a year marked by unprecedented energy-market disruption and rising operational costs, global business travel prices are expected to remain elevated through the rest of 2026 before beginning to moderate in 2027, with variations expected across regions.
TAANZ launches new co-funded training initiatives
The Travel Agents Association of New Zealand (TAANZ) has launched a co-funded workforce training initiative for members.
G Adventures expands popular Geluxe
G Adventures is expanding its Geluxe Collection with 16 new trips, bringing the collection to 82. Among the latest additions are seven new coastal itineraries.
World Travellers names new GM - Jodie Burnard
World Travellers has named Jodie Burnard as its new GM.
APT launches 2027-28 small group tours
APT Luxury Travel has released its Small Group Tour collection for 2027-28, featuring journeys across Africa, South America, Europe, Asia, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
AI or manual? Just make it good, says hotel panel
Hotel experiences, including at check-in, can still be ‘chunky’ and inconsistent even with the technology available today, an accommodation panel acknowledged at the WiT Queenstown conference last week.
River cruisers are ready for polar says Quark BDM, 2028-29 launch sale now
While adventure travellers may be seen as ‘low hanging fruit’ for the expedition cruise market, Travis Graham of Quark Expeditions suggests another demographic that can often be converted to polar exploration – the luxury river cruise client.
New 2027-28 tours for Collette
Collette Explorations has launched its 2027-2028 programme in New Zealand, introducing eight new small group Explorations tours as demand continues to grow for experience rich travel.
Time to rebalance travel’s focus says Intrepid CEO, but unplugged trips a no go
Intrepid Travel is ramping up its promotion of ‘not-hot’ destinations as part of its strategy to disperse tourism away from overcrowded areas and is doubling down on a leading without fear approach, the WiT Queenstown conference heard this week.
2026 not WiT’s end in ZQN, tech event likely to return
The WiT (Web in Travel) Queenstown conference wrapped up in Queenstown this week with a strong indication that it will return to the southern resort region, potentially in 2028.
RateHawk, Travelport expand integration
Emerging Travel Group, a global travel tech company operating RateHawk, ZenHotels and Rountrip brands, has strengthened its flight offering by expanding its integration with Travelport.
Fiji Airways looks at NAN-ZQN
Fiji Airways is seriously considering flights into Queenstown and is currently working through any challenges that would occur on that route, says FJ's chief executive officer Paul Scurrah.
Planes are back, tricks up our sleeve, Air New Zealand CE tells tech focused event
The overcoming of some serious headwinds, notably the grounding of 20% of its fleet, will see Air New Zealand enter a new level of competitiveness, the WiT (Web in Travel) Conference in Queenstown heard yesterday.
Expo’s new entrants help event reach wider travel audience – premium groups
An annual expo that targets incentive travel and conferences is already seeing interest from a wider spectrum of the travel industry as it heads towards its fourth iteration in November this year.
Flight Centre leaders note team’s ability to get through toughest of times, move on
Getting through challenges and moving on to the future was a recurring theme at the Flight Centre Saddle-Up Conference last Saturday.
TTC early booking offer for 2027
TTC’s brands Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, and Costsaver have early booking advantage offers on select 2027 dates. Now through 30 September 2026, travel agents can offer clients additional savings to secure their spot for 2027 and get ahead of demand.
More growth, brand building as FCTG NZ looks to AI future with continued human touch
Flight Centre Travel Group New Zealand has recorded its best sales levels yet over the past year and is looking towards further success ahead, NZ country manager Heidi Walker told delegates at the company’s annual conference at Cordis Auckland over the weekend.
NDC content to FCM, Corporate Traveller online booking tools
Flight Centre Travel Group New Zealand’s (FCTGNZ) corporate brands, FCM and Corporate Traveller, are now offering New Distribution Capability (NDC) content to Kiwi businesses through their online booking tools.
Envoyage New Zealand partnership with Ignite Travel Group
Envoyage NZ now has a preferred partnership with Ignite Travel Group – home to brands My Holiday and My Cruises. This grants Envoyage NZ independent advisors exclusive access to Ignite’s portfolio of holiday packages and exclusive inclusions at competitive trade rates.
TTC Tour Brands’ tiered rewards for trade
TTC Tour Brands has launched Tour Fest, a nationwide sales incentive that injects multi-tiered cash and credit rewards back to the frontline trade network.
2026 on track to be record year for International Rail, Kiwi market part of success
International Rail, Australasia’s dedicated global rail booking specialist, has recorded the strongest sales month in its 21 year history, with June delivering a company record result and signalling a powerful rebound in international rail demand.
Complete goes live, major partnership launched with other announcements soon
New Zealand’s newest network of independent travel agents, Complete, is now looking to grow its number of agency members as well as further develop its product and technology offering, says managing director Malcolm MacLeod.
Travelmarvel launches small group programme for 2027-28
Travelmarvel has unveiled its Small Group Tour programme for 2027-2028. Each itinerary operates with no more than 24 travellers and is escorted throughout by local guides. Itineraries pair river, coastal and ocean cruising, and balance must-see highlights with lesser-known, immersive experiences.
Southern Cross adds benefit – roll out likely to partners later
A new feature that helps travellers with practical support while the disruption is still happening due to travel delays is being launched by Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) on Wednesday.
Kiwi numbers to Taiwan on rise – range of outdoor options help boost interest
Growing awareness of Taiwan’s natural attractions and outdoor activities is a major driver of travel to the destination out of New Zealand, according to a delegation that visited Auckland this week.
Easy access, more options for incentive groups in TNQ
An increase in half-day activity options plus refreshed product and new hotels in the pipeline were all highlighted to travel management and business event practitioners at lunch event in Gilt Brasserie, Auckland this week.
Premium B2B travel event to pull Kiwi agents to MEL
A new business to business event focusing on premium, lifestyle and boutique travel experiences is expected to resonate with New Zealand agents when it is staged in Melbourne next year.
Momentum is back for travel and we’re ready, says HOT CEO at event
After a challenging couple of months travel appears to have been trending back up in June, says Dave Coombes, CEO of House of Travel.
Globus expands Africa, Asia choice
Globus has expanded its Asia and Africa lineup with new itineraries available to book now for 2027 and 2028 departures.
Cosmos bolsters Asia and Africa for 2027
Cosmos has unveiled new Asia and Africa tours for next year and opened its full 2027 lineup for booking.
Looking again at consulting style, value proposition key to retaining clients’ loyalty
Travel advisors need to reset and really prove their value again as clients start to regain confidence in booking for themselves. The trade should also be open to using the latest technology while still giving a service that can only be provided by a personal touch.
APT marks centenary with 100-day tour
APT has announced a 100-day World Tour to coincide with its centenary celebrations next year. The tour will run from 19 July to 26 October 2027 and has a launch price of $120,000 per person.
Back-Roads moves to give clients greater cost certainty
Back-Roads Touring has launched a new zero surcharge policy. It applies to all existing and new bookings made before 30 September 2026 for departures up to 31 December 2027.
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Big turnout for latest TIME graduation
The latest round of graduations from the Travel Industry Mentor Experience (TIME) generated another strong turnout in Auckland this week.
Helping clients to ‘deadzone’ as they escape digital noise
Travel and tourism operators are increasingly targeting a sector of the community that is looking to switch off from modern life – at least for a while – and the trend now has own term among travel writers and forecasters.
Global body ‘seriously concerned’ over US plans
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is expressing serious concerns about the potential implications for international travel into the US in light of the administration’s consideration of changes to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations at certain airport ports of entry
All Blacks, blue crabs, art and Chessie the monster
All Black fans who converge on Baltimore for the US-based test against the Springboks in September will find a city that is easy to navigate, packed with cultural and historical attractions and even has its own version of the Lochness monster, says Tracey Johnson, communications and public relations manager with Visit Baltimore.
