ITC Industry News Bulletin #25

Posted on 05/11/2015 by Jess O'Connor

TOP STORIES

New Zealand’s Great Walks launch on Google Maps

360 degree views of New Zealand’s Great Walks are now available on Google Maps, including popular tracks such as the Abel Tasman and Routeburn.

The imagery was captured by the Google Street View Trekker, a backpack with more than 300 cameras which take photos every few seconds.

Ross Young, spokesman for Google New Zealand, said the addition of the Great Walks to Google Maps is likely to do wonders for tourism.

“Immersive technology experiences like these give international tourists the chance to see first-hand how stunning our country is before they travel,” says Ross.

“This is a great example of business and government working together to use technology and the internet to tell New Zealand’s story to the world.”

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Tourism support for tertiary education review

The Productivity Commission is set to review tertiary education models in New Zealand, it revealed on Tuesday.

Productivity Commission Chair Murray Sherwin says the aim of this review is to “improve access, participation and achievement in tertiary education”.

The Tourism Industry Association (TIA) has welcomed this announcement, with chief executive Chris Roberts saying it could have the knock-on effect of ensuring the tourism industry attracts more skilled workers.

“Our rapidly growing tourism industry requires many more people with the right skills to deliver outstanding experiences to both international visitors and New Zealanders travelling in their own country,” says Mr Roberts.

The enquiry is expected to begin early next year, with final results published in February 2017.

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IN BRIEF

Air New Zealand is Australasia’s top airline for seventh consecutive year

The headline says it all – Air New Zealand is still leading the way in Australasia. Air New Zealand Customer Experience General Manager Carrie Hurihanganui says the airline is continually trying to improve customer experience, and winning this award is “a testament to that work and to the efforts of our 11,000 staff”. Read more.

Qantas flight crew don black after losing Rugby World Cup bet

Air New Zealand and Qantas enjoyed some good-humoured banter in the lead up to the Rugby World Cup final last weekend. Both airlines shook hands on a bet, which lead to Qantas staff donning All Blacks jerseys for a flight from Sydney to Auckland. “We still love the Qantas Wallabies, but a bet is a bet,” the airline said. Read more.

Virtual Reality Technology a Hit at Kiwi Link China

South Island tourism operator, Fox Glacier Guiding, used virtual reality technology to promote its Flying Fox experience at the Kiwi Link trade event in China. Virtual reality is a technology designed to make people feel like they are actually experiencing whatever it is they are viewing through virtual reality headsets. It’s expected to become a popular tourism marketing tool. Read more.

Safety review for adventure tourism operators

In a bid to encourage tourism operators to conduct regular safety reviews, the TIA is offering free safety workshops over the next two months. These informative sessions will be held throughout the country, starting with Queenstown on November 16. Read more.

Prince Charles and Camilla start New Zealand and Australia tour

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall are currently in New Zealand on a short but sweet 12-day tour of here and Australia. The royal couple arrived in Wellington and will visit Dunedin, Nelson, Ngaruawahia, New Plymouth and Auckland before making their way across the Tasman. Read more.

Tourism New Zealand named Leading Tourist Board for the sixth time

And the award for Australasia’s Leading Tourist Board goes to… Tourism New Zealand! This marks the sixth time the organisation has taken the accolade in the World Travel Awards. Read more.

Posted in News | Tagged Adventure Tourism, Air New Zealand, Google Maps, New Zealand Great Walks, Qantas, Royal Visit, Rugby World Cup, Tourism |