ITC Industry News Bulletin #59

In New Zealand tourism news this week, Rotorua looks set to meet its tourism targets, and India may be the next big market for international visitors.

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Rotorua on track to meet tourism targets

Tourism Industry Aotearoa recently released a Local Government Manifesto calling on communities around the country to make the most of the endless tourism opportunities currently arising in New Zealand.

According to the Rotorua Lakes Council, the Rotorua district is on the right track. The region hosts major events such as the mountain biking mecca Crankworx and the Rotorua Half Ironman, as well as offering a number of natural attractions.

Jean-Paul Gaston, strategy and partnerships group manager for the council, said that investment in the industry was ongoing.

“Tourism is at the forefront of our thinking when it comes to future planning, economic strategies, improvements and new developments, events, assets and the planning and/or improvement of infrastructure,” he explained.

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ITC Industry News Bulletin #57

In this week’s airline, travel and tourism news, Air New Zealand wins big, Wellington prepares for a tourism boom, and much more.

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Air New Zealand wins International Airline of the Year award

Air New Zealand won both International Airline of the Year and Domestic Airline of the Year at the Roy Morgan Customer Satisfaction Awards 2016.

More than 13,000 New Zealanders gave their opinion on brands and companies, which led to 21 businesses being awarded on the night. Air New Zealand was the only company to win two titles, continuing “its streak as the top domestic airline”.

Carrie Hurihanganui, the general manager for customer experience at Air New Zealand, says it’s great to see the airline’s efforts are being recognised by its customers.

“We have been very focused on enhancing our customers’ journeys, including making substantial investments in new aircraft, new and refreshed lounges, and innovative technology,” she explained.

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ITC Industry News Bulletin #55

In a busy week for New Zealand tourism, Air NZ is commended for environmental sustainability and Rotorua nabs its biggest ever international conference.

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Air New Zealand wins top spot in Green Ribbon Awards

The Green Ribbon Awards are an annual event recognising efforts around New Zealand made to protect and enhance the country’s environment. Awards are given to communities, businesses, organisations and individuals alike, and this week Air New Zealand has been recognised as part of the Business Leadership category, winning the top place.

Judged on a range of factors including innovation, awareness, education, environmental benefits delivered, and results achieved, the company says that sustainability is a big part of how they do business.

“I am really proud of the work we are doing in this space and of the collective effort our people have made to embrace the programme and it’s fantastic to have these efforts recognised externally,” explained Christopher Luxon, Air New Zealand CEO.

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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 Famil Trip August 2015: Kelsi’s Story

ITC student Kelsi (far right) with some of her classmates on the August Famil Trip to Rotorua and beyond.

Student blogger Kelsi recently went on a four-day Famil trip around New Zealand’s central North Island. This trip is included in the New Zealand Certificate in Travel Level 4 and is one of the highlights of studying at ITC, as it’s a chance to experience the travel and tourism industry firsthand. Kelsi gives us a rundown of this amazing trip, featuring adrenalin-pumping white water rafting and the best Maori fry-bread ever!

Day 1: Bye for now, Auckland!

On Monday the 10th of August, three combined classes and one (brave) teacher set off with Stray for the ITC Famil to Rotorua! Tutu was our driver and once we were out of the CBD, he told us what to expect from the trip and a little bit about the company. A popular option with tourists, Stray offers a hop-on, hop-off bus service and guided coach tours throughout New Zealand and Asia.

Our first stop was Matamata, the home of Hobbiton. We had lunch at the I-site, which is shaped like a hobbit house!

Some of Kelsi’s classmates at the i-site in Matamata

After photos had been taken and lunch eaten, we continued on to Agroventures in Rotorua. Debbie, the Sales and Marketing Manager, talked a little about her career and the activities they offer at Agroventures. The most popular attraction is the Swoop, a 40 metre high swing. You are safe inside a full body harness but have to pull your own rip cord, swing down toward the ground before cables catch you. You can reach speeds of 130kph.

Debbie had some great advice for us: “Build excellent working relationships as they will make a difference in your travel and tourism career.”

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ITC Industry News Bulletin #11

This week the proposed ‘Travel Tax’ has been dominating the headlines. Read on for the TIA’s latest statement on the topic.

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Tourism New Zealand collaborates with Facebook in new marketing campaign

“One couple, one campervan, one unforgettable road trip around New Zealand.” This is the tagline for a new social media campaign launched by Tourism New Zealand, in collaboration with Facebook.

Called ‘The Kombi Diaries’, this exciting new campaign is based around five short videos, filmed by a couple travelling New Zealand in – you guessed it – a Kombi van. These films are cute, clever and – most importantly – show off some of New Zealand’s most beautiful natural landscapes. Be sure to keep an eye out for them on social media!
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ITC Industry News Bulletin #6

In this week’s Industry News Bulletin, autumn arrivals continue to drive positive growth, Rotorua tourism industry sees unusually busy winter and Qatar Airlines is once again named Airline of the Year

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 Autumn arrivals continue to drive positive growth

2015 is shaping up to be an amazing year for the tourism industry, with Tourism New Zealand reporting ‘record-setting’ holiday arrivals in autumn. In May alone total holiday arrivals were up by 16.5 per cent. Tourism New Zealand chief executive Kevin Bowler said the latest data “brings us even closer to an annual arrivals figure of three million”.  (more…)

ITC Industry News Bulletin #4

In this week’s industry news another air deal looks to improve flights to and from New Zealand and local businesses do incredibly well in the TripAdvisor Awards

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NZ surges ahead in TripAdvisor awards

More than 3,000 New Zealand tourism businesses have been awarded a Certificate of Excellence by TripAdvisor in 2015. This is a 76 per cent increase from last year – an amazing achievement and a true testament to the quality of tourism providers around the country. Well done New Zealand! (more…)

TRENZ 2015: What we learned

Most of the announcements at TRENZ 2015 underlined one key message: the NZ tourism industry is going from strength to strength

Tourism has been the talk of the town over the past few days, thanks to TRENZ 2015 in Rotorua (May 17-20). Several important announcements were made by industry leaders and Prime Minister John Key also made a speech.

We’ve been following the news closely; here’s what we learned from TRENZ 2015.

More skilled workers needed

New Zealand’s tourism industry is going from strength to strength, with arrival numbers increasing steadily and international marketing campaigns attracting more overseas visitors.

As highlighted yesterday in the ITC Industry News Bulletin, the industry will need to hire around 36,000 more full-time workers by 2025 to meet this growth. (more…)

ITC students experience some of NZ’s top tourist activities

ITC organises field trips for its students so they can experience first-hand what it’s like to be a tourist in New Zealand

How would you like to be a tourist in New Zealand for a few days?  This is an experience students from the International Travel College (ITC) get to enjoy during their studies.

ITC organises a field trip (Famil) for its travel and tourism students, so they can see first-hand what it is like to work in the industry and to be a visitor in New Zealand. (more…)