Subsequent to its recent Luxury Rail events, World Journeys has an exclusive special offer on journeys with Golden Eagle Luxury Trains, valid on bookings made by 31 July 2026, for travel until 31 December 2027. 

Wild and upscaled are two words the New Zealand travel trade will be hearing a lot of from Club Med over the next few months and beyond.

Virtually no travellers believe international travel is safer today than it was a year ago, according to new Global Rescue survey data. The finding underscores how deeply risk has become embedded in the global travel mindset.

A quick survey of about 100 luxury agencies at the Virtuoso Australasian Forum this week shows that the vast majority expect sales to be higher than they were last year, despite many respondents also saying the key words that sum up their feelings right now are ‘nervous’  and ‘challenging’.

The cost of living is currently playing a major role in shaping New Zealanders’ travel behaviours – but it is certainly not making them abandon holiday plans, according to the latest research released by Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI).

Explore Worldwide is confident of making more in roads into the New Zealand market after three consecutive years of growth here and big support for the brand’s just completed Big Blue Sale.

Uniworld CEO Ellen Bettridge’s visit to New Zealand last week coincided with a major milestone – the brand’s celebration of 50 years – but her message to the trade at a lunch function at Mudbrick Vineyard, Waiheke also had a firm future focus.

By Faye Spooner

House of Travel brought together 130 of its key suppliers and industry partners at an exclusive thank-you event this week, set against the skyline at SO/ Hotel’s rooftop bar.

It was a night that emphasised connection, collaboration and a business moving with confidence into 2026 and beyond.

The gathering reflected House of Travel’s continued upward trajectory after another year of standout performance and record sales. With this momentum, the focus is now on sustained growth with quality revenue, according to CEO David Coombes who spokecandidly about the evolving travel landscape.

‘Leisure is absolutely holding up,’ he says, noting that while North America has presented challenges, demand is shifting strongly towards alternative destinations.

He notes that corporate travel, meanwhile, continues to rebound in line with the economy, with more intensive travel patterns emerging.

Almost one year into a three-year strategic plan, Coombes reaffirmed the company’s ongoing commitment to bricks-and-mortar retail. Quality revenue, he says, is driven by stores and relationships, with physical connections remaining central to success.

Coombes highlighted the continued strength of House of Travel’s Australian operations and its Trans-Tasman growth ambitions, as the business looks to build greater scale and capture increased market share in Australia’s larger market. He also acknowledged the success of the company’s broker model, which complements the company’s retail footprint.

Above all the message of the evening to suppliers was clear: partnership matters. ‘We are a partnership-driven business,’ Coombes concluded. ‘You plus us equals happy customers.’

• Tahlia Crocker, Allianz; Cara Botica, Allianz; Adam Ferraro, Club Med (based in MEL), Nicholas Dew, Hawaiian Airlines; Sarah Porter Niue Tourism, Lisa Linn, Visit Anaheim and Stuba
• Kim du Plessis, G-Adventures; Dave Fordyce House of Travel, Yvonne and Dennis Payne, House of Travel Orewa
• Alyssa Field, South Sea Cruises; Mel Watson, Silversea; Wayne Deed, Musket Cove
• Kirsten Lee-Burgess, House of Travel head office; Marija Tolj, The Travel Corporation
• Megan Porter, Norwegian Cruise Line; Cara Botica, Allianz Insurance; Jacqui Kennedy, House of Travel head office; Dani Ened, Oceania Cruises
• Alison Hopkirk, Delta Air Lines, Sarah Porter, Niue Tourism; Samantha Martin, Wendy Wu Tours; Lesley Perrie, Innovative Travel and Wide Eyed Tours

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), part of the $1.57 trillion global business travel and meetings industry, is urging US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to adopt a balanced and practical approach as it evaluates proposed changes to Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) requirements.

Globus has debuted a new brochure focused on the small group travel range, Small Group Discoveries, available to download now.

Most of the world’s most experienced travellers remain reluctant to let Agentic AI — autonomous digital assistants that plan, book and manage trips — take charge of their journeys, according to the latest Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey.

Globus family of brands (GFOB) is kicking the new year off with cruise and tour deals across its suite of brands; Avalon Waterways, Globus and Cosmos, available now until 31 March.

Insight Vacations is reporting the continued success of its women-only tours and the launch of an expanded 2026-27 Women-Only collection.

Agents are expecting the steady and positive trading environment to continue next year but are also cognisant that economic conditions are still challenging for a significant proportion of Kiwis.

Wendy Wu Tours is looking at growth on growth from the New Zealand market next year.

Issues around climate and sustainability are now having a direct influence on how a large number of high-end clients travel, says Virtuoso.

Kiwi Holiday Insurance’s strategic partnership with Southern Cross Travel Insurance officially launched yesterday.

Brent Thomas has stood down as president of the Travel Agents Association of New Zealand (TAANZ) after six years in the role.

By Faye Spooner

Intrepid Travel is forecasting a rise in business out of the New Zealand market in the next 12 months and beyond, with Vietnam, Japan, Peru, Morocco, Turkey, the Stans and Sri Lanka being amongst the most sought after destinations. 

Keeping up with cycling trends can help travel agents get the most out of the growing  bike tourism sector, says an international proponent of the activity.

The travel industry is set to grow at a faster pace than the global economy over the next 10 years, according to the World Travel Market (WTM) Global Travel Report.

Adventure travel continues to be one of the fastest growing segments in global tourism and is continually evolving as travellers seek to connect with local communities, according to one of New Zealand’s leading advocates in the sector.

Travel advisors need to divorce the charging of fees from factors like reservations, commissions and product prices and instead set them on the value of the service they provide to clients, delegates at Luxperience 2025 in Sydney heard on Wednesday.

The tourism and travel sector is on course to support one in three new jobs worldwide by 2035 and demographic and structural shifts could create a workforce shortfall of more than 43 million people if left unaddressed, according to just released research.

Maher Tours has launched a new department dedicated to FIT Africa and South America wholesale arrangements. The move comes as the company sees increasing demand from retail agents.