4WD tour operator Outback New Zealand has invested in a fully electric Yutong 25-seater bus, a first for Queenstown and New Zealand in the adventure tourism off-road sector.

The launch of a new collection of private-stay experiences gives travel agents easy options to sell high end accommodation to both domestic and inbound clients.

Experienced travel professionals Voula Siatiras and Paul Rennie have launched a destination management company (DMC).

Auckland hoteliers and other industry representatives were given a positive outlook for the medium term future, but reminded that average daily rate (ADR) is still an area of focus at the Expedia Group partner event in the Park Hyatt Auckland this week.

Suppliers need to be careful not to price themselves out of the market when they consider rates for next year and beyond, says Eve Lawrence, general manager of Haka Tours ‘An Intrepid Company’.

Lawrence says she is excited about the season ahead but is sounding a note of caution.

The fillip provided by the FIFA Women’s World Cup to New Zealand’s tourism industry (and wider economy) needs to be noted by the country’s power brokers, says Ben Thornton, owner of small group touring company Bush and Beach.

‘We’ve had three weeks of mid-summer level business, almost exclusively because of FIFA,’ says Thornton, who was attending the Tourism Export Council (TECNZ) Conference in Rotorua this week.

Floods, ferry cancellations, cyclones, staff shortages, seven-day Covid isolations and other disruptive forces have left the New Zealand inbound side of the industry saying that they have never seen a season quite like the one they have recently come out of.

Inbound bookings are looking good for the 2023-2024 season, according to Tourism Export Council NZ chair Scott Mehrtens.

With the organisation set for its annual conference this week Mehrtens says that if TEC’s  assumptions turn out to be correct with its International Arrival Forecasts, a recovery rate of 87% by 1 May 2024 is expected.

The tourism industry has marked the first anniversary of New Zealand’s borders reopening fully to all visitors. In 31 July 2022 the recovery process from the Covid-19 pandemic could properly begin.

The Waitangi National Trust has appointed Ben Dalton as chief executive of Waitangi Ltd from 1 September 2023.

Southern Discoveries has sold its Queenstown vessel to enable the organisation to focus on its core tourism ventures in Milford Sound and the coach services that support it.

Southern Discoveries has reached a conditional agreement for the sale of its Spirit of Queenstown vessel to RealNZ. This will see the retention of Spirit of Queenstown on Lake Wakatipu, servicing RealNZ’s Walter Peak experiences.

New Zealand hoteliers are facing a number of challenges as winter takes hold, according to the latest New Zealand Hotel Performance Focus by consulting firm Horwath HTL and Hotel Council Aotearoa (HCA). The report shows that while international visitor arrivals continue to recover, hotel RevPAR (revenue per available room) across key markets in May was only just above (5%) 2019 levels, supported largely by demand from domestic and Australian visitors.

Northland Inc now has a full suite of 10 journeys around the region that trade and consumers can access on line.

Trade marketing manager Sarah Archer says the itineraries help people to travel deeper into the region and encourage them to visit more than once.

Retailers, wholesalers and inbounders have been advised to save the date for what is traditionally one of the biggest inbound and domestic travel trade events of the year.

After a couple of years hiatus (when the event went virtual) the eXplore trade show will return to Eden Park, Auckland on 27 April 2023.

Marsden Hotels & Resorts adds Marsden Lake Resort Central Otago to its portfolio from 1 December 2022. 

Located on the shores of Lake Dunstan in Cromwell, the resort offers villa and studio room accommodation, with mountain views and the lake vistas of Pisa Moorings.

AAT Kings recently conducted consumer research across Australia and New Zealand, aimed at deciphering the post-Covid traveller mindset and what is in store for domestic and international travel in 2023.

GCH Aviation’s Garden City Helicopters and the Akaroa Craft Distillery have launched a Christchurch to Akaroa Heli Gin Experience.

Group marketing manager for the GCH Aviation Group, Caroline Blanchfield says the Akaroa Craft Distillery is a new driver of visitors to Akaroa. 

The popularity of day visits to Earnslaw Burn out of Queenstown is giving Heliworks confidence that the company’s new camping experience in the area will resonate with the domestic market.

Tess Kelly, who handles sales and marketing with Heliworks, was promoting the high end camping product to inbound tour operators at the TEC trade show and conference last week, but says there will certainly be potential for New Zealand agents and their clients.

New Zealand’s cruise future and transformation needs to be based on an approach that recognises one size (or one regulation) does not necessarily fit all, the New Zealand Cruise Association Conference in Auckland heard yesterday.

Opening speaker, Sarina Bratton, chairman of PONANT Asia Pacific, says having regulations that do not take into account different needs of cruising will hinder, not help, transformation.

Gannet Safaris Overland has a new sunrise tour for clients who want a private viewing of the Cape Kidnappers colony over breakfast.

The company’s general manager, Sophie Phillips, says the tour utilises a Range Rover with a capacity of four people.

Grand Pacific Tours is signalling a new quality versus quantity approach which will see the company phase out its 48-seat coaches by the 2023-24 season.

The operator is introducing a new Signature programme, utilising 32-seat coaches and described as a ‘premium economy product’, while expanding on its existing Ultimate Series that utilises a 20-seat vehicle – with 10 seats down each side.

The Tourism Export Council (TECNZ) is seeing promising signs for inbound operators but is also emphasising that there are considerable challenges still ahead.

‘The school holidays were busy from tourism operators, particularly Queenstown, with plenty of Australian visitors and domestic winter travellers / skiers. We’re also hearing of some US travellers who have arrived and are travelling around,’ says TEC chief executive Lynda Keene. ‘The main flow of international visitors won’t happen until October but it is encouraging to see a small return.’

Corporate travel agents have welcomed the opening of the new Microtel by Wyndham Wellington Central, saying extra choice is crucial in the capacity-restrained capital.

‘The more we have here the better,’ says Paul Rennie, managing director of Orbit World Travel, Wellington. ‘Things are horrendously tight.’

He says the location in Vivian Street will appeal to businesses in that part of the city.

Crowne Plaza Auckland and Crowne Plaza Christchurch have reopened their doors to guests this month with increased commitment to sustainability.

Programmes include a bedding partnership that supports local communities impacted by poverty, homelessness, and domestic violence, to paperless check-in and electric car partnerships.

Crowne Plaza Auckland and Crowne Plaza Christchurch have reopened their doors to guests this month with increased commitment to sustainability.

Programmes include a bedding partnership that supports local communities impacted by poverty, homelessness, and domestic violence, to paperless check-in and electric car partnerships.

Inspired New Zealand Tours reports sustained demand for its domestic tour offering, according to director John Gregory. 

‘We have operated a number of bespoke tour groups over the last few months and continue to receive enquiries regarding our island packages to either the Chatham Islands or to Stewart Island,’ he says.

The Dunedin region has risen from the pandemic with new and enhanced Māori cultural tourism product as well as new accommodation and attractions.

At the Regional Tourism New Zealand update in Auckland recently, Sarah Ewing, consumer and trade destination marketing with Enterprise Dunedin, was highlighting product such as Karitāne Māori Tours, located 30 minutes drive from the city.

Sales representation service, New Zealand Travel Collective has added four new tourism businesses to the collection. 

Hotel Montreal in Christchurch, Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel, Touchdown Car Rentals and Fox Glacier Guiding recently joined and are being represented by NZTC principal Trish May. 

Island Escape Cruises has extended its Fiordland season this coming summer.

The Ultimate Fiordland adventure commences on 12 December for the 2022-23 Fiordland cruising season.

Increased levels of collaboration between Regional Tourism Offices (RTOs) are seeing the emergence of new trade ready products and opportunities to sell to the domestic and inbound market.

Regional Tourism New Zealand (RTNZ) held its first trade update for three years at Cordis Auckland this week, with some 60 representatives from 30 of New Zealand’s 31 RTOs presenting to about 120 inbounders and other sellers of New Zealand travel product over two days.

New Zealand’s Olympic medalist Nico Porteous has teamed up with Christchurch Airport and three of South Island’s regional tourism organisations (Christchurch NZ, Mackenzie Region and Destination Queenstown) to launch New Zealand’s Snow Highway.

The highway is a new product designed to attract Australian ski tourists taking in the very best snow experiences the South has to offer.

Tourism New Zealand will retain a strong focus on the domestic market even as the country opens its borders to offshore visitors, says the organisation’s chief executive René de Monchy.

Speaking at last week’s TRENZ Hui for the tourism industry, de Monchy noted that Kiwis can now look overseas but said the commitment to the market continues to pay off and evolve.

Microtel by Wyndham Wellington Central has opened, bringing Wyndham Hotel Asia Pacific Co Pty Ltd’s portfolio in the country to 16.

The hotel is on Vivian Street, within walking distance to the city’s key attractions and an ideal location for business travellers.

voco Auckland City Centre has released a ‘voco Life’ package to mark its opening mid May. It includes overnight accommodation, upgrade on arrival with guaranteed views, complimentary breakfast for two, voco cocktail, and bespoke welcome treat on arrival. It is available for bookings and stays until 12 August 2022.

After two years of closed maritime borders, this week’s news that cruise ships can return to Aotearoa’s waters without restrictions from 31 July has been greeted with a sense of cautious optimism and relief, says the New Zealand Cruise Association.

The Prime Minister’s announcement that the maritime border will reopen without added restrictions means cruise lines can start confirming port calls and preparing ships with certainty, says the association’s chair Debbie Summers.

Stay Auckland Now is promoting offers on more than 10,000 room nights from nearly 60 participating accommodation providers across the region.

It is the latest instalment of the Auckland Is Calling domestic marketing campaign by economic and cultural agency Auckland Unlimited.

KiwiRail’s Northern Explorer and Coastal Pacific scenic trains will resume later this year, with the addition of new travel packages and tours which will encourage travellers to explore regional New Zealand, KiwiRail general manager Scenic Journeys Tracey Goodall says.

Cruise World’s New Zealand Traveller is still seeing good enquiry from agents who have clients wanting to travel domestically in New Zealand, reports general manager Cherryl Browne.

‘With more surety about the borders opening, there is a significant up tick in cruise enquiry, but there are also people still actively looking at New Zealand holiday options,’ says Browne.

The Omicron outbreak and related restrictions continue to stall any meaningful recovery of hotel performance in New Zealand. Last month’s Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) was 28% of its pre-pandemic level in March 2019, according to Hotel Data NZ (HDNZ).

Occupancy levels varied from a low of 22% in Queenstown to a “high” of 54% in the Nelson/Marlborough region, averaging 33% across the country’s main hotel markets.

New Zealand’s inbound travel trade says it can finally plan to reconnect with the world following this week’s announcement bringing forward the border opening to international visitors.

The Tourism Export Council of New Zealand (TECNZ) says there will be ‘an enormous sigh of relief’ around the tourism industry and particularly for those businesses that pre-Covid had a high orientation of international visitors.

Emirates New Zealand is giving trade partners the chance to win tickets to the upcoming Women’s cricket world cup.

Emirates New Zealand has general admission tickets, as well as hospitality tickets with food and beverages provided to be won.

Agents who enter the competition could win either two general admission tickets or two hospitality tickets.

Entrants need to sign up for the Emirates Partners Portal then email EK.RSVP@emirates.com with the correct answers to the questions below. They need to also send their name, guest’s name and first choice and second choice of matches from the list below

Winners must show their vaccination certificate on entry to the venue.

Competition closes Monday 28 February at 5pm.

Questions:

1. Emirates’ current Covid policy covers tickets issued with a travel date prior to?

2. Emirates operates how many flights to / from Auckland a week?

1. New Zealand vs West Indies – Bay Oval - Tauranga - FRIDAY 04MAR22
2. Bangladesh vs South Africa – University Oval – Dunedin – SATURDAY 05MAR22
3. Australia vs England – Seddon park – Hamilton – SATURDAY 05MAR22
4. Pakistan vs India – Bay Oval – Tauranga – SUNDAY 06MAR22
5. New Zealand vs Bangladesh – University Oval – Dunedin – MONDAY 07MAR22
6. Australia vs Pakistan – Bay Oval – Tauranga – TUESDAY 08MAR22
7. West Indies vs England – University Oval – Dunedin – WEDNESDAY 09MAR22
8. New Zealand vs India – Seddon Park – Hamilton – THURSDAY 10MAR22
9. Pakistan vs South Africa – Bay Oval – Tauranga – FRIDAY 11MAR22
10. West Indies vs India – Seddon Park – Hamilton – SATURDAY 12MAR22
11. New Zealand vs Australia – Basin Reserve – Wellington – SUNDAY 13MAR22
12. South Africa vs England – Bay Oval – Tauranga – MONDAY 14MAR22
13. Pakistan vs Bangladesh – Seddon Park – Hamilton – MONDAY 14MAR22
14. Australia vs West Indies – Basin Reserve – Wellington - TUESDAY 15MAR22
15. England vs India – Bay Oval – Tauranga – WEDNESDAY 16MAR22
16. New Zealand vs South Africa - Seddon Park – Hamilton – THURSDAY 17MAR22
17. Bangladesh vs West Indies – Bay Oval – Tauranga – FRIDAY 18MAR22
18. India vs Australia – Eden Park – Auckland – SATURDAY 19MAR22
19. New Zealand vs England – Eden Park – Auckland – SUNDAY 20MAR22
20. West Indies vs Pakistan – Seddon Park - Hamilton – MONDAY 21MAR22
21. India vs Bangladesh – Seddon Park – Hamilton – TUESDAY 22MAR22
22. South Africa vs Australia – Basin Reserve – Wellington – TUESDAY 22MAR22
23. South Africa vs West Indies – Basin Reserve – Wellington – THURSDAY 24MAR22
24. England vs Pakistan – Hagley Oval – Christchurch – THURSDAY 24MAR22
25. Bangladesh vs Australia – Basin Reserve – Wellington – FRIDAY 25MAR22
26. New Zealand vs Pakistan – Hagley Oval – Christchurch – SATURDAY 26MAR22
27. England vs Bangladesh – Basin Reserve – Wellington – SUNDAY 27MAR22
28. India vs South Africa – Hagley Oval – Christchurch – SUNDAY 27MAR22

Tourism Export Council (TECNZ) chair, Scott Mehrtens says he is concerned this latest setback for tourism will be a ‘body blow’ to many in the sector.

‘Right now our industry needs urgent support – this could be the end of the line for so many businesses.’

Walk into Luxury has launched a range of New Zealand journeys and a new signature walk based out of Blanket Bay Lodge.

Walk into Luxury's four-day Blanket Bay Walk includes heli-hiking experiences at Mount Earnslaw Glacier and Milford Sound, a Dart River scenic jet boat cruise into Mt Aspiring National Park, and day hikes on the Milford and Routeburn Tracks. Guests return each day to Blanket Bay Lodge where they spend three nights.

Tourism Industry Aotearoa has appointed Rebecca Ingram as its new chief executive. 

Ingram joins TIA from seven years at Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) where she has held various roles including most recently as general manager of New Zealand and Government relations. Previously she was responsible for TNZ’s  PR and major events team, leading a global team across 14 markets.

Though the borders look set to remain shut longer than many in the industry were hoping after some promising signs late last year, agents are being reminded that the domestic market still provides some opportunities for short term revenue generation.

Rachel Williams, managing director of Viva Expeditions, says the company’s attention has turned back to New Zealand for the Kiwi market.

One of New Zealand’s leading hotel companies will be taking a cautious approach to next year while also being ready to take any opportunities that come its way.

Les Morgan, chief operating officer with Sudima Hotels, says the company’s expectation is that next year ‘will continue to be disruptive.

‘We think patience will be required in the hotel sector until 2023.’

The New Zealand Government has reneged on a promise that it would reopen borders and reconnect to the world in the first quarter of 2022 on the condition that the country’s population was 90% fully vaccinated, says the chair of the Tourism Export Council of New Zealand (TECNZ).

Scott Mehrtens who is also managing director of Leisure Time Travel, says this week’s announcement around borders was really just a tinkering of the MIQ situation for returning New Zealanders.

Travel Agents' Association of New Zealand (TAANZ) president Brent Thomas says that with surety around dates for non-quarantine travel in 2022 the trade has a definite light at the end of the tunnel. 'Agents need to start engaging with customers and start booking their travel arrangements now.'

Heritage Expeditions is confident its new flagship, Heritage Adventurer, will be sailing New Zealand waters late next year.

Heritage Expeditions commercial director and expedition leader, Aaron Russ has been in Europe this month checking on progress with the ship and is now back in Christchurch self isolating.

Tours that offer active (but not strenuous) walking or e-biking, in combination with seeing the sights of an area and taking part in leisurely activities like shopping or wine tasting are generating interest for next year.

Marie Coles, founder of Roam Travel Adventures, says the company offers travel for small groups of up to 12 (women only) and delves into rural New Zealand to connect with local characters.