Introducing Melissa Switters

A former flight attendant, Melissa Switters is a new full-time tutor at ITC’s South Auckland campus.

Melissa Switters recently joined ITC’s South Auckland campus. In the below blog post, she introduces herself and tells us a little bit about her career history and passion for all things travel and tourism.

Welcome on board everyone, I am Melissa a new full-time tutor at the International Travel College of New Zealand.

I would like to take you on a personal flight through my life. The beautiful beginning of my life started off in a town called Leeuwarden, which is located in The Netherlands, and where I lived for the first 13 years. Then, on the 26th of October 2005, my family and I immigrated to New Zealand – this was a huge and positive life changing decision. After immigrating we settled down in Papakura, South Auckland where I spent my secondary school years at Rosehill College.

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ITC Industry News Bulletin #53

This week’s airline, travel and tourism news includes a fallout over budget cuts, changes to regional flight routes, funding for new attractions, and more.

TOP STORIES

TIA ‘dismayed’ by funding cuts

The latest New Zealand budget has just been announced, and it includes a cut to the funding for the Department of Conservation (DOC). In the last budget, just over $378 million was set aside for DOC expenditures, while the 2016/17 plan has dropped to almost $345 million.

The TIA is ‘dismayed’ by this move, which sees funding drop by almost 10 per cent. Chief Executive Chris Roberts is concerned about how these cuts might impact the tourism sector.

“DOC has two core functions. The first is protecting our natural heritage – our indigenous species and the habitats and ecosystems that support them. The second is facilitating recreation and tourism, so that New Zealanders and our visitors are enriched by outdoor experiences,” he explained.

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ITC Industry News Bulletin #52

In this week’s New Zealand tourism and travel news, the country is breaking records for tourism spend, the cruise industry is going from strength to strength, migration is on the rise, and much more.

TOP STORIES

International tourism spend tops $10 billion for the first time

Tourism New Zealand recently announced that spending from international visitors has now surpassed $10 billion for the first time ever.

Arrivals from the USA, India and China have all bolstered these numbers, which are up for the year ending April by 10.6, 11.4 and 29.2 per cent respectively. There have also been more arrivals from the UK and Germany, while Australia remains in first place with the most arrivals, which continue to grow steadily.

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler was excited by the news.

“To see this level of growth in off-peak arrivals is exceptionally good news for the industry – by extending the traditional peak season it enhances employment opportunities and the value growth is bringing significant economic benefit to the country,” he explained.

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Introducing Dan Ranginui

New ITC tutor Dan Ranginui is passionate about travel, tourism and inspiring people to follow their dreams. Welcome to the team, Dan!

Dan Ranginui is a new tutor at the ITC City Campus. He tells us about how he fell in love with the travel and tourism industry, the exciting places his career has taken him to-date and what inspired him to teach.

My passion for the travel industry began as a young boy when at 10 years old I did my first overseas trip! And from there I got the travel bug. At 14 years old my parents thought it was a great idea to send me to Japan on a student exchange – hmmm was that just a way of getting me out of the house!? Anyhow it worked!

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ITC Industry News Bulletin #51

This week in NZ travel news, a prediction shows just how much tourism could grow, an exhibition moves to Christchurch, and the TIA gets a new name.

TOP STORIES

Tourism set to rise in NZ

Tourism figures have recently hit all time highs around New Zealand – and these statistics are only set to climb further, according to Associate Tourism Minister Paula Bennett.

She says that expenditure could increase by as much as 65 per cent by 2022, bringing the annual revenue to $16 billion. Bennett made these statements during the TRENZ national event in Rotorua last week, as part of the New Zealand Tourism Forecast 2016-2022 report.

At this stage, Australia is the largest source of income for the industry, but the forecast predicts that China will overtake our Tasman neighbours within the next two years.

“I encourage the sector to make use of this information which is aimed at helping the industry plan and invest strategically,” she said.

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Good luck Mel! Tourism Education Team Leader takes on Everest Marathon

ITC Tourism Education Team Leader Mel Fey (centre), with Marketing Director Claire Huxley (right) and Head of Group Services Michelle Chatfield (left).

She’s called ‘Manic Mel’ for a reason – ITC’s bright, energetic Tourism Education Team Leader earned her nickname for her adventurous physical pursuits and bubbly personality. And the latest challenge in her path is a little more manic than most: the Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon.

Yes, you read right – Mel Fey (also known as ‘The Energizer Bunny’) is about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime, a 42.2km run on Mount Everest. The super-fit tutor recently landed in Nepal to begin the acclimatisation process. The marathon is scheduled for May 29, but there’s a lot of fun to be had before then, including a trek to Base Camp (where the marathon begins).

The run is downhill, but with limited oxygen and potentially icy tracks, it’s going to be a huge physical and mental challenge – but it’s one that Mel can’t wait to begin. She’s been preparing for this marathon for three years, and was due to run it at this time last year – only it was cancelled due to Nepal’s devastating earthquakes.

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ITC Industry News Bulletin #50

In this week’s tourism news, New Zealand wins a top award for adventure travel, TRENZ 2016 kicks off, and more.

TOP STORIES

New Zealand wins Best International Destination for Adventure award

Each year, the Lonely Planet Magazine India Travel Awards recognise the best of the best for international travel. This year – and for the second year in a row – New Zealand has taken the top spot for Best International Destination for Adventure.

The award was announced at an event in Mumbai on May 9, where Australia and South Africa were named as runners up to the award.

Steven Dixon, regional manager South and South East Asia for Tourism New Zealand, explains what the award meant for the country’s travel industry.

“As a key market for Tourism New Zealand, the award is a positive endorsement from Indian travellers – which supports our work to drive interest and awareness with those considering booking a trip to experience it for themselves.”

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Introducing Rob Glae

A warm welcome to Rob Glae, ITC’s new Tutorial Team Leader.

Rob Glae recently joined ITC as Tutorial Team Leader. In this blog post, he tells us a little bit about himself, his love for travel and tourism, and his previous career experience. 

Kia ora, my name is Rob Glae and I’m the Tutorial Team Leader at ITC’s City Campus. My role is to deliver student learning and to plan and develop across the college curriculum, while providing support and guidance to the tutorial team.

Before joining ITC, I worked as a sales trainer for Air New Zealand. My job was to design and deliver business development courses for the airline which included sales and service, customer experience, customer care, emotional intelligence and conflict resolution. I also ran the ‘instructional technique’ CAA course for pilot/air crew and ground instructors.

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ITC Industry News Bulletin #49

Travel news in New Zealand this week includes a historic flight, a major investment, as well as predictions for future tourism.

TOP STORIES

Queenstown celebrates first night flight

Up until May 1 2016, Queenstown had never been able to offer departures or landings after dark due to the airport’s location amidst the mountains. That all changed, however, when Air New Zealand landed its first ever flight after dark. The flight was the first test run for commercial services that will begin later this month.

A full schedule for passenger flights will come into effect not long after, which will see an additional 100,000 seats available between Auckland and Queenstown – an increase of roughly 15 percent on current levels.

This historic first was achieved with runway improvements, new airfield lighting and airline training and procedures.

“It really is a milestone for New Zealand aviation and we’re proud to be the first airline to offer this service to customers,” explained Air NZ Chief Flight Operations and Safety Officer Captain David Morgan.

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ITC raises $176 for RSA with ANZAC Day bake sale

ITC Tutorial Team Leader Rob (left) and Senior Tutor Jacques get into the ANZAC Day spirit.

The International Travel College has a longstanding tradition of holding charitable events to raise money for great causes, and this year’s ANZAC Day was no exception.

Students at the City Campus rallied together to bake an array of delightful treats for a bake sale, with all profits donated to the Returned Services Association (RSA).

The delicious baking was simply too good to resist – everyone shopped up a storm and a total of $176.00 was raised at ITC’s City Campus. An amazing effort!

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