Kiwis explore their new-found appreciation for New Zealand travel

The latest Tourism New Zealand webinar has highlighted how Kiwis have found a new appreciation for local travel.

Tourism New Zealand has been keeping a close eye on travel and tourism within New Zealand, and has recently released its latest survey findings on the attitudes and goals of Kiwis when it comes to exploring their own backyard.

The January webinar hosted by Tourism New Zealand to discuss their findings was exciting, enlightening, and educational, and an important roadmap for tourism operators around the country.

Here are a few of our favourite highlights from the webinar. (more…)

ITC launches new webpage celebrating the rise of New Zealand tourism

ITC has launched a webpage to celebrate and follow the rise of New Zealand tourism.

This year, New Zealand became one of the first countries in the world to beat the virus not just once, but twice. As a result, Kiwis everywhere began to celebrate by doing what we do best – travel.

Thanks to being able to travel safely and enjoy our own backyard, New Zealanders have been busily making plans and exploring the country, seeing sights usually crowded with international visitors, and ticking off those local ‘must-dos’ at last. We also know that once borders reopen, New Zealand will be a hugely popular destination.

That’s why ITC has created a brand new webpage dedicated to following New Zealand’s tourism progress as it once again begins to rise. We will keep this page updated with new information as it is released. (more…)

ITC Industry News Bulletin #64

In this week’s New Zealand tourism news, visitor numbers continue to soar, finalists for the New Zealand Tourism Awards have been announced, and much more.

TOP STORIES

2016 New Zealand Tourism Awards finalists announced 

The finalists for this year’s New Zealand Tourism Awards have been chosen, with 28 different brands in the running for various honours across eight business categories and two individual categories.

With individuals and groups spanning the nation, and tourism operators varying from thermal pools and ski fields to hotels and theme parks, the awards represent some of the very best of the country’s offerings. Plus, the awards align with New Zealand’s goal of reaching a $41 billion tourism revenue target by 2025.

Finalists can look forward to September 29 when the winners will be announced during a dinner and ceremony in Auckland.

(more…)

ITC Industry News Bulletin #62

In this week’s airline, travel, and tourism news, New Zealand ranks as one of the world’s most reputable countries, the CEO of Tourism New Zealand resigns, and more.

TOP STORIES

New Zealand one of the world’s most reputable countries 

‘The most reputable countries 2016’ report has ranked New Zealand in seventh place. The Reputation Institute takes 16 different factors into account when determining the placings, with the help of 48,000 voters.

Out of 55 countries ranked in the report, New Zealand took its spot in the top 10 for factors such as having friendly and welcoming citizens, being a safe place to visit, and having an appealing environment, amongst other things.

This marks the second year running that the country has held seventh place, after moving up from eighth place in 2014.

Sweden took the honour of the number one spot, and was followed by Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Norway, and Finland before New Zealand. Denmark, Ireland and The Netherlands rounded out the top 10.

(more…)

ITC Industry News Bulletin #61

In this week’s tourism news, Tourism New Zealand aims to attract more visitors in the off-season, visitor numbers to Gisborne may be even higher than expected, and more.

TOP STORIES

Off-peak arrivals remain a target for Tourism NZ

Last year, Tourism New Zealand focused on attracting tourists during off-peak seasons between summer and winter. The organisation has announced that they are continuing this campaign.

The move is strategic on many levels, namely that it benefits all involved parties. For example, tourists benefit due to fewer crowds at popular attractions, vendors benefit from more stable incomes, and Kiwis enjoy a stronger economy for the greater revenues brought in by visitors.

With events, conferences, special-interest travel, and other strategies, Tourism NZ has improved international holiday visitor arrivals by 18.4 per cent for spring 2015 and autumn 2016. The group is also confident that they can continue to grow these numbers with further promotion and investment.

(more…)

ITC Industry News Bulletin #60

In this week’s industry news, Tourism New Zealand takes out a top PR award, June visitor arrivals are strong, Air New Zealand launches a new safety video, and more.

TOP TOURISM STORIES

June arrival numbers show great start to winter season

The June visitor arrival numbers have just been released, and they’re showing a strong start to the winter season with an increase of 16.1 per cent for the year ending June.

Tourism New Zealand is celebrating this news as it follows the biggest summer for arrivals ever, as well as bumper shoulder seasons through spring and autumn.

To put the 16.1 per cent increase into perspective, Tourism New Zealand general manager for corporate affairs Deborah Gray explained just how many extra visitors that meant and how much they each spend on average.

“Putting this into actual numbers we welcomed 15,000 additional holiday visitors to the country in June which, at a current average spend of $3,500 per visitor equates to an incremental $53 million for the New Zealand economy in June.”

(more…)

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.

TOP STORIES

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.

(more…)

ITC Industry News Bulletin #58

In this week’s news, Tourism New Zealand’s annual trade event in India is a hit, travel spending is soaring throughout the country, and much more.

TOP STORIES

Kiwi Link India strengthens tourism relations in Mumbai 

Kiwi Link India, an annual trade event organised by Tourism New Zealand, has just taken place in Mumbai (July 11-13). The purpose of the event is to create and strengthen tourism relationships between trade operators in New Zealand and overseas travel agents, planners and product managers.

Over 30 New Zealand tourism operators attended the event, and met with 80 Indian delegates over the weekend.

Tourism New Zealand chief executive, Kevin Bowler, explains why events such as this are so important.

“Having a well-informed travel trade is critical to converting interest into bookings. This event provides an ideal platform for us to strengthen relations with our stakeholders in the Indian travel trade, supporting their ability to sell travel to New Zealand, particularly during the shoulder seasons.”

(more…)

ITC Industry News Bulletin #52

In this week’s New Zealand tourism and travel news, the country is breaking records for tourism spend, the cruise industry is going from strength to strength, migration is on the rise, and much more.

TOP STORIES

International tourism spend tops $10 billion for the first time

Tourism New Zealand recently announced that spending from international visitors has now surpassed $10 billion for the first time ever.

Arrivals from the USA, India and China have all bolstered these numbers, which are up for the year ending April by 10.6, 11.4 and 29.2 per cent respectively. There have also been more arrivals from the UK and Germany, while Australia remains in first place with the most arrivals, which continue to grow steadily.

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler was excited by the news.

“To see this level of growth in off-peak arrivals is exceptionally good news for the industry – by extending the traditional peak season it enhances employment opportunities and the value growth is bringing significant economic benefit to the country,” he explained.

(more…)

ITC Industry News Bulletin #51

This week in NZ travel news, a prediction shows just how much tourism could grow, an exhibition moves to Christchurch, and the TIA gets a new name.

TOP STORIES

Tourism set to rise in NZ

Tourism figures have recently hit all time highs around New Zealand – and these statistics are only set to climb further, according to Associate Tourism Minister Paula Bennett.

She says that expenditure could increase by as much as 65 per cent by 2022, bringing the annual revenue to $16 billion. Bennett made these statements during the TRENZ national event in Rotorua last week, as part of the New Zealand Tourism Forecast 2016-2022 report.

At this stage, Australia is the largest source of income for the industry, but the forecast predicts that China will overtake our Tasman neighbours within the next two years.

“I encourage the sector to make use of this information which is aimed at helping the industry plan and invest strategically,” she said.

(more…)