ITC Industry News Bulletin #46

In this week’s airline, travel and tourism news, New Zealand is named the world’s best country for the 4th year in a row and Air New Zealand takes away an award for being the country’s most reputable company.

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Air NZ ‘most reputable company’

Air New Zealand has once again taken the number one spot as the country’s most reputable company, according to a survey by research consultancy AMR.

Every year, AMR asks the public for their opinions on the top 25 organisations across a number of areas such as products, innovation, and performance. It’s the third year in the top spot for the airline, with survey respondents citing the company’s prices, service, planes, financial results and safety videos as reasons behind the votes. Air NZ last held first place in 2011 and 2012, but is generally in the top three with a second place ranking in 2015.

In an AMR press release, Managing Director Oliver Freedman explained the win, saying, “for Air New Zealand, the constantly high level of customer service has been a key reputational driver”.

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ITC Industry News Bulletin #45

In this week’s airline, travel and tourism news, Air New Zealand announces new flights between Auckland and Manila, Canada looks to New Zealand for advice about race relations, and much more.

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Air New Zealand launches Philippines service

Air New Zealand is expanding its Pacific Rim network with flights between Manila and Auckland set to start in December 2016.

Chief executive Christopher Luxon believes there will be steady demand for this service, especially given how much New Zealand’s Filipino population has grown.

“The number of visitors from the Philippines is also continuing to grow rapidly, up more than 20 per cent in the past year alone so we’re anticipating that demand for this service will be steady in both directions,” Mr Luxon said.

Once the new flight goes ahead, Air New Zealand will be flying to a total of over 32 international destinations.

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ITC Industry News Bulletin #44

In this week’s airline, travel and tourism news, the South Island credits Instagram with attracting more visitors to its shores in 2015, several tourism operators challenge Easter trading laws and much more.

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New Zealand’s South Island Sees Tourism Boom Thanks to Instagram Photos Like These

The South Island reported record visitor growth in 2015, far exceeding the North Island – and many tourism leaders believe this could be thanks to Instagram.

Lake Wanaka Tourism general manager James Helmore told stuff.co.nz that they invested a lot of time into boosting Wanaka’s Instagram presence last year.

“We’ve done everything from Insta-meets, when you get a whole lot of people coming together to take photos to put on Instagram, to hosting influencers from around the world,” says James.

The link between Instagram and the South Island’s tourism growth caught the attention of international media, with Conde Nast Traveller covering the story. Click the ‘read more’ button below to read Conde Nast’s full coverage and see some of 2015’s most beautiful South Island Instagram pics.

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Ten New Zealand Instagram accounts you need to follow right now

Discover more about our travel and tourism industry by following our favourite NZ Instagram accounts.

One of the best ways to learn more about New Zealand’s exciting airline, travel and tourism industry is through social media. Forget selfies and food snaps – scenic shots of NZ’s beautiful landscapes are where it’s at! Follow these ten beautiful accounts to stay up-to-date with the NZ tourism industry’s top players.

1. Air New Zealand

With 123,000 followers (and climbing!), our national airline’s Instagram game is strong. Follow @airnz for stunning pics of planes, inspirational travel quotes and more.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Air New Zealand ✈️ (@airnz)

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ITC Industry News Bulletin #43

In this week’s airline, travel and tourism news, AA Traveller has launched a new website designed to encourage more domestic travel, Auckland is making its mark as a popular travel destination and much more.

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Growing domestic travel to support NZ economy

The Tourism Industry Association (TIA) is pleased to see New Zealand travel companies such as AA Traveller promoting the growth of domestic tourism.

Earlier this week AA Traveller launched a new campaign and website called ‘Great Spot Specials’ which offers a way for Kiwis to book local travel at great discounted rates. The site features exclusive deals for AA members and AA Smartfuel card holders.

TIA chief executive Chris Roberts said the timing of this new campaign couldn’t be better.

“Easter traditionally marks the end of the peak tourism season. We are delighted that AA Traveller is encouraging Kiwis to see their own backyard through this autumn and winter,” Mr Roberts said.

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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.

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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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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.

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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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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.

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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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