ITC Industry News Bulletin #42

In this week’s NZ airline, travel and tourism news, the TIA highlights the importance of protected marine areas to NZ tourism, Air New Zealand explores biofuel options and much more.

TOP STORIES

Opportunity for marine tourism to benefit NZ

The Tourism Industry Association (TIA) is highlighting the potential benefits ‘marine tourism’ could bring to New Zealand.

In a submission to the Ministry for the Environment, the TIA is calling for the government to consider tourism when making decisions about marine protected areas.

“Tourism operators such as whale watch operators, seal swimming operators, diving and snorkelling operators, kayak operators and recreational fishing charters have strong links and interests in marine protected areas,” says TIA chief executive Chris Roberts.

Mr Roberts added that new marine protected areas could “support the tourism industry’s Tourism 2025 goal of growing total annual tourism revenue to $41 billion over the next decade”.

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What to expect when you visit ITC

ITC is a warm and welcoming college. Visit us to meet with our friendly staff and learn more about a career in airline, travel or tourism.

You’ve heard about this awesome travel and tourism school called the International Travel College of New Zealand. You want to visit the City or South Auckland campus to check out the atmosphere and see if it could be the right college for you. But… you’re nervous. What will it be like? Who will you meet? Will you have to take a test? What if you come unprepared?

Take a deep breath!

We can reassure you that visiting ITC for the first time isn’t a nerve-wracking experience. The pictures you see on social media don’t lie – ITC really is a warm and welcoming college with friendly staff and students. And you can drop in and visit us any time!

To alleviate your anxiety, we’ve outlined exactly what you can expect from a visit to ITC. Read on and you’ll see there’s absolutely nothing to worry about.

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ITC Industry News Bulletin #41

In this week’s NZ airline, travel and tourism news, the countdown until TRENZ 2016 is on, a leading property expert calls for more hotels to be developed and much more.

TOP STORIES

International travel buyers flock to TRENZ 2016

TRENZ 2016 is set to welcome the highest number of international travel buyers since 2007: a total of 356 from nearly 30 different markets. Interest in this conference – which will be held in Rotorua between May 10 and 13 – is soaring.

Tourism New Zealand chief executive Kevin Bowler said this is “excellent news for the industry” and that TRENZ is a highlight of NZ tourism’s calendar.

“With 300 operators from New Zealand coming face to face with international buyers, showcasing the best that New Zealand can offer, TRENZ is the pinnacle event of the year for the travel trade,” Mr Bowler added.

“I am really looking forward to attending TRENZ again for what’s shaping up to be a highly successful four days for buyers and the industry alike.”

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ITC Industry News Bulletin #40

In NZ tourism, travel and airline news this week, the world’s longest flight is currently in the air, luxury Auckland hotel The Langham is up for sale and much more.

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Visitors spending increases 31 per cent from 2014

Every week there seems to be new data depicting the exponential rise of international visitors to NZ and this week is no exception. According to a recent survey, spending by international visitors has increased by 31 per cent since 2014.

Visitors from Australia, China and the US are our largest markets, spending $2.4bn, $1.6bn and $1bn respectively.

Associate Tourism Minister Paula Bennett told Newshub that this is further evidence of tourism’s burgeoning success.

“It’s now worth $10.6bn, or nearly five percent of our GDP, and one in every eight people employed are now directly or indirectly related to tourism,” she said.

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ITC Industry News Bulletin #39

In this week’s airline, travel and tourism news, Auckland Airport chief executive is confident about the future of NZ tourism, Air New Zealand reports profit increases and more.

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Auckland Airport boss confident NZ can sustain tourism growth

The chief executive of Auckland Airport, Andrew Littlewood, is full of optimism about the future of New Zealand tourism. He believes with the right approach, the country can achieve further growth – providing the country finds a way to adapt to the increasing number of visitors.

“There are plenty of opportunities for this country but we will have to be receptive,” Mr Littlewood said.

He compared New Zealand’s tourism industry to that of Ireland, a country similar in size but which welcomes a lot more visitors each year.

“Ireland, which is also a small country with 4.5 million people, has 8.6 million visitors a year and I don’t think the people of Ireland think those visitors are taking over the country,” he said.

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Another ITC student scores highest marks in NZ for IATA exam

ITC tutor Steve Burke is pictured with high achiever Danielle Barham, who scored the highest marks in New Zealand for her IATA Foundation exam.

Danielle Barham is the latest ITC student to score the highest marks in New Zealand for the challenging IATA exam. She follows in the footsteps of ITC graduates Anastasiya Kolchunova and Hayley Miles, who both scored top marks in previous years.

IATA – the International Air Transport Association – is a global trade association for approximately 260 airlines. The highly regarded IATA Foundation course covers topics such as international airfare calculations, aspects of running a travel business, world geography, international rail, cruises, tours, hotels and international travel regulations. It also covers booking systems such as Amadeus and Galileo.

To score top marks in this exam – which takes three hours to complete and is marked by IATA in Montreal – is a huge achievement.

“It is fantastic that Danielle has achieved so highly in a subject which is quite tricky to learn,” says ITC’s Head of Academic Services Tessa Henwood.

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ITC Industry News Bulletin #38

In this week’s airline, travel and tourism news, New Zealand is voted ‘Top Country in the World’ by Wanderlust Magazine, Kiwis are flying more than ever, Wellington is set for a huge weekend thanks to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and much more.

TOP STORIES

New Zealand wins ‘Top Country in the World’ award voted by British travellers

The people of Britain have spoken: New Zealand is the ‘Top Country in the World’ according to readers of UK travel magazine Wanderlust.

New Zealand was rated the top nation out of 168 countries and scored an overall satisfaction rating of 97 per cent. Nearly 3,000 readers voted as part of the Wanderlust Travel Awards.

Tourism New Zealand General Manager of the Americas and Europe regions, Bjoern Spreitzer, believes this award tops off a great period of growth from the UK market.

“This award isn’t the only good news from the UK as the market is currently growing strongly – in 2015 almost 86,000 visitors chose New Zealand for their holiday, up 11 per cent on the previous year,” Mr Spreitzer said.

“British visitors are valuable to the economy as their average length of stay is more than three weeks and they spend money in most regions around New Zealand,” he added.

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ITC Industry News Bulletin #37

In this week’s airline, travel and tourism news, it’s all about the celebs. Taylor Swift recently gushed about NZ in an exclusive behind-the-scenes video about her music clip Out of the Woods, while Aussie celeb Megan Gale has joined forces with Tourism New Zealand to promote NZ cycle trails.

TOP STORIES

Taylor Swift endorsement a gift to NZ tourism

With more than 65 million followers on Instagram and a legion of devoted fans across the globe, Taylor Swift is one of the most influential celebrities of our time. It bodes well for New Zealand, then, when she publicly gushes about our country.

“We are in New Zealand on one of – not one of – the most beautiful beach I’ve ever been on in my life,” the star said in a video that’s recently emerged from her time filming the music video for Out of the Woods on Bethells Beach.

Tourism New Zealand marketing manager Andrew Fraser told 3 News that you can’t put a price tag on this type of exposure.

“Certainly someone of her scale, 74 million Facebook fans, choosing to come down here on holiday with her family before Christmas – money can’t buy authentic endorsement from a superstar,” Mr Fraser said.

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ITC Industry News Bulletin #36

In this week’s airline, travel and tourism news, Emirates has announced a new daily service between Dubai and Auckland, and newly released arrival statistics from December top off a great 2015.

TOP STORIES

Auckland Airport welcomes new Emirates non-stop Dubai-Auckland daily service

From March 2, Emirates will offer a nonstop daily flight between Dubai and Auckland – a move Auckland Airport’s general manager Norris Carter believes will inject millions of dollars into the New Zealand economy.

“This new flight will help to significantly increase the number of people travelling between New Zealand and Europe, India and of course the Middle East. It will help to further stimulate travel, trade and tourism with these important and growing markets,” Mr Carter said in a press release.

He estimates the service will contribute “an additional $125 million every year to the New Zealand economy”.

The flight is expected to be one of the longest services on the market, taking approximately 17 hours and 15 minutes.

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ITC Industry News Bulletin #35

In this week’s airline, travel and tourism news, Air New Zealand launches a new recruitment campaign for flight attendants, the TIA chief executive shares his thoughts on the industry and much more.

TOP STORIES

Air New Zealand’s new campaign calls for Kiwis who aspire to fly

Air New Zealand is on the lookout for new flight attendants to join its team. The airline recently launched a new recruitment video, highlighting the benefits of being a flight attendant – as told by real Air New Zealand staff.

The video is a great insight into the life of cabin crew and will no doubt inspire many aviation students to apply.

Air New Zealand’s general manager of cabin crew, Leeanne Langridge, reveals what the airline looks for in its candidates.

“We never stop pushing ourselves to find passionate, proud and dedicated flight attendants who represent our brand values, and go beyond to make a difference in our customers’ journey,” Ms Langridge said.

You can keep up-to-date with Air New Zealand’s new campaign by following the hashtag #AspireToFly on social media.

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