ITC Industry News Bulletin #72
In this week’s airline, travel and tourism news, Air New Zealand continues to rake in awards, Queenstown has been named the top destination in Australasia, and much more.
TOP STORIES
Queenstown named Top Destination in World Travel Awards
Queenstown was named the Top Destination in Australasia in the World Travel Awards this week.
This is the second time the town has won the award – it first received the honour in 2014. This year, Queenstown was up against fellow nominees Bora Bora, Auckland, the Gold Coast, the Whitsunday Islands, the Yasawa Islands in Fiji, and last year’s winner, Sydney.
Queenstown’s array of adventure activities, unbelievable scenery, food and wine scene, and relaxed culture no doubt helped it take the top spot, which is decided on by popular vote.
Additionally, New Zealand as a country won the award for being Australasia’s leading adventure tourism destination. With destinations such as Queenstown and Rotorua on offer, Aotearoa seems a shoe-in for this award year after year.
Air NZ best in Australasia, third best in the world
It’s been a week of wins for Air New Zealand, with two successes in major travel awards.
In a prestigious event in Vietnam, the airline won the top award for Australasia’s Leading Airline for the eighth year in a row at the World Travel Awards. It was up against major rivals such as Jetstar, Qantas, and Virgin Australia.
Additionally, the airline was voted the third best in the world in the annual Conde Nast Traveler awards. These annual Readers’ Choice Awards are one of the most hotly contended travel accolades in the industry, and the airline ranked so highly in part thanks to its comfortable seats on long-haul flights.
Singapore Airlines was awarded first place, followed by Emirates.
IN BRIEF
New organisation to revitalise Christchurch
Christchurch’s earthquakes have left tourism numbers and dollars down, but a new organisation is set to turn the city into one of the country’s ‘edgiest’. The Canterbury Development Corporation and Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism will soon merge to make a single, unified company to revitalise the city. Read more
Tourism summit headed for Wellington in November
Tourism leaders from all over New Zealand will meet in Wellington for a summit organised by Tourism Industry Aotearoa on November 9. The program is set to cover ways to help boost attractions’ competitive advantages, with local and international experts offering advice and tips. Read more
Chateau Tongariro expects first profit in five years
Chateau Tongariro, an iconic hotel next to Mt Ruapehu, is expecting its first profit in five years thanks to the bumper tourist numbers visiting the site. The hotel has been struggling ever since the GFC and is excited to see visitor numbers increasing now and in the future. Read more
Ngai Tahu adds horse treks to its offerings
Ngai Tahu Tourism already operates several of New Zealand’s top attractions, and has now added horse treks to its offerings. The group has purchased the Dart Stables in Glenorchy and will soon take guided tours through the region that’s featured heavily in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Read more
New Zealand’s tourism potential with India
Graeme Waters, a former high commissioner to India, has pointed out New Zealand’s huge potential for tourism and trade opportunities with India. He said that improved air connections would encourage the market and bring in more tourist dollars. Read more
Regional $1.1m tourism campaign kicks off in Gisborne
A $1.1 million campaign is kicking off in Gisborne this week, aiming to boost tourism spending by as much as $7 million over the next three years. The plan includes more available seats to the destination through Air NZ, photographic content, billboards in other major cities, and more. Read more
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