NEW ZEALAND [TRAVEL + TOURISM]

[SYDNEY]

New Glacier Experience Launch

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Franz Josef Glacier walk NZ - 2 by Ianz, on Flickr

This Thursday, Franz Josef Glacier Guides is launching a spectacular new glacier tour called 'The Ice Explorer' (Thursday 12 April 2012). The new guided trip will take visitors on a short trip directly up on to the pristine glacial ice by helicopter, bypassing the potentially unstable terminal face area. Ngai Tahu Tourism Regional General Manager West Coast Fraser Leddie says the new tour is a result of on-going assessments of the geographical stability of the area, factoring in the highest level of safety possible and balanced with the best value experience Franz Josef Glacier Guides can offer clients. “The glacier has been advancing and retreating over the last 100 years and on-going changes are part of the natural cycle of a glacier. At all times, the safety of our staff and customers is paramount and this new trip is a proactive response to the ever-changing environment at Franz Josef,” he said.

“This is also a good opportunity to reinforce the importance of safety around glaciers and being part of a group led by trained, experienced guides”, Fraser Leddie added. Franz Josef Glacier Guides is a Ngai Tahu-owned business which helps to promote the values of the iwi. This includes respecting the environment, particularly significant natural features in New Zealand, as well as on-going regional activities such as stoat trapping, recycling visitor rubbish, recycling old equipment and composting, Franz Josef Glacier Guides is committed to measuring and offsetting the carbon the new tours will produce. In 2009 Franz Josef Glacier Guides achieved a Silver Enviro Award Rating through Qualmark New Zealand. For more information about Franz Josef Glacier Guides, visit www.franzjosefglacier.com

[SYDNEY]

Virgin Oz spruces up for NZ push

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virgin airlines. by madison faith, on Flickr

Virgin Australia has launched a fresh push into New Zealand to capture a bigger share of the corporate market with new livery, refurbished cabins and new services for what was its Pacific Blue fleet. The airline, which is part owned by Air New Zealand, has started flying the first of its Virgin Australia-branded aircraft on its transtasman and Pacific routes. It hopes to have all its 10 Boeing 737-800s painted in the new livery by the beginning of next year as part of a bid to capture more of the premium market. It is Australia's second-biggest domestic airline and has been working for several years to take more corporate business from Qantas. It also flies longhaul to the United States and the Middle East using what were V Australia planes.

The old Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue services from New Zealand were aimed at the leisure market. Virgin's manager of corporate communications, Colin Lippiatt, said the look of the planes was more upmarket, and the higher fares included lounge access, priority check-in and seating, and food. "There's a whole range of extras you can buy now so it's very much a different product than what we used to be." A range of fares remained with no-frills options. Air New Zealand last year built up a 19.9 per cent stake in Virgin, and the airlines share a transtasman alliance. "With our transtasman alliance with Air New Zealand a large part of all this is bringing our product into line so it is consistent with our partner."

Aircraft cabins were being refurbished by Air New Zealand in Christchurch and should be complete by the middle of the year, Lippiatt said. Pacific Blue withdrew from New Zealand domestic routes 18 months ago, but Virgin Australia maintains a workforce of 560 in New Zealand. There were no plans to expand routes at this stage, Lippiatt said. "The priority at the moment is bedding in the new product and brand. It's a process of raising awareness of who we are and what we are." Brent Thomas, retail director at House of Travel, said that although the corporate market was not big for transtasman flights, the improved services would be welcomed by business travellers. "I think there's scope in it for them. Their service offering is stepping up; the branding will resonate with more passengers than before."

[SYDNEY]

Auckland continues to lead New Zealand’s guest nights

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26 FEB 12 22°C DEVONPORT by Urban+Explorer, on Flickr

Auckland continues to lead the way in visitation with regional guest nights for the month of February up 4.6 per cent on last year, according to the latest results from Statistics New Zealand. New Zealand’s largest city enjoyed the greatest monthly increase in guest night numbers for any region during a period when the country’s total guest night numbers dipped two per cent. Auckland’s domestic guest nights increased by 31,000 or 11 per cent, surpassing all other regions in the country.

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development Ltd (ATEED) Manager Tourism Jason Hill says it is positive to see the consistent trend of increased guest nights. “We are operating in a challenging economic climate so it is heartening to see positive growth in visitation, particularly from the domestic market,” says Mr Hill. Tourism is big business in Auckland, generating in excess of $3 billion of GDP per annum and supporting more than 50,000 full time jobs.

[SYDNEY]

Hobbit 'bigger than cup' for tourism

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30 MAR 12 HOBBITON WAIKATO by Urban+Explorer, on Flickr

The big-screen exploits of Bilbo Baggins and a gang of dwarves are an "extraordinary opportunity" for tourism and will draw more people to New Zealand than the Rugby World Cup ever could, says the architect of the 100 per cent Pure campaign. George Hickton said the The Hobbit films would generate more money and overseas interest than the All Blacks' win, and urged New Zealand businesses to do everything - including getting staff to "put on hairy feet" - to attract tourists. He said The Hobbit's effect would be even bigger than The Lord of the Rings films. "One of the things we have to do is get to understand the psyche of people who want to come and see it," he told a meeting of tourism figures in Hamilton yesterday. "This is bigger than last time. You need to be actively aware of what it looks like, what the story is. "You need to talk about Hobbits, put on hairy feet. Do whatever you can to make sure that when people come to this place that you absolutely embrace it, that you 'get it'. "Frodo Baggins is going to be more important to tourism than Daniel Carter kicking off in the Rugby World Cup." Mr Hickton said Waikato businesses were the luckiest in the country with Sir Peter Jackson's Hobbiton film set "just down the road". The set of The Shire, which features 44 "Hobbit holes", was first built on Russell Alexander's farm near Matamata for the Lord of the Rings trilogy in 1999.

Initially it was to be bulldozed but Mr Alexander turned the set into a tourism venture, Hobbiton Movie Set and Farm Tours. When filming began on the prequels to the trilogy, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and There and Back Again, last year, the set was rebuilt using permanent materials and will remain as a tourism drawcard. Mr Hickton said films sparked an emotive response in people, giving them an ongoing relationship with a country, and formed part of the decision-making process to travel there. Statistics showed 80 per cent of Britons who planned a holiday here did so after seeing the film locations on the big screen. Wellington's Weta Cave, a mini-museum joined on to Weta Workshop - the special effects artists behind Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King, as well as the biggest-grossing movie of all time, Avatar - attracted 100,000 visitors, 70 per cent of them international, each year. Hobbiton itself, the idyllic home of Frodo and Bilbo Baggins, was the "premier" location of all the Middle Earth destinations in New Zealand, and attracted 266,000 people in the past 12 months, a 60 per cent increase because of renewed interest ahead of The Hobbit.

CINEMA TAKINGS

Avatar - $2.7 billion
Titanic - $1.8 billion
Harry Potter - $1.3 billion
Transformers - $1.1 billion
Lord of the Rings: Return of the King - $1.1 billion
(Avatar and Return of the King were made in New Zealand.)
Figures in US dollars.

[SYDNEY]

Hobbiton marketing hopes

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30 MAR 12 HOBBITON WAIKATO by Urban+Explorer, on Flickr

Tourism New Zealand is in talks with studio giant Warner Bros to let Waikato tourism operators use the soon-to-be released Hobbit films as part of their marketing campaigns. The news comes as George Hickton, the tourism whiz who created the 100% Pure New Zealand campaign, calls for the Waikato to make the most of Matamata being home to Hobbiton, where the two films were shot. "Tourism New Zealand is speaking to Warner Bros and it is hoped to have a series of questions and answers about what can be used officially (in marketing) to give to tourism operators," Mr Hickton told the Hamilton and Waikato Tourism Conference held yesterday at Wintec. A spokeswoman for Tourism New Zealand said the "ongoing" talks with Warner Bros were prompted by the recent legal stoush in Britain between the studio and a pub that named itself The Hobbit 20 years ago. "Obviously Warner Bros have some very strict guidelines and restrictions on what the operators can and can't do. "We are seeking to have those guidelines clarified so we can share them with everyone concerned." People could not, for instance, use the word "hobbit" in their marketing. "But operators could, for example, use the cast and crew and say `So-and-so stayed here or dined here', things like that.

"Our objective is to make it possible for people to leverage as much as possible as they can from The Hobbit, where appropriate, and to ensure they are not going to land themselves in hot water." The guidelines would be published "as soon as possible", she said. Mr Hickton said it was impossible to underestimate the potential the impending release of the Hobbit films would have on the local tourism industry. "What you are talking about is one of the most expensive films of all time, based on the most well-read book after the Bible, and it was filmed just down the road," he said. "This is bigger than the Rugby World Cup, it's flow-on effects will be felt year after year after year. "Frodo Baggins walking out of Bag End will do more for New Zealand and its economy than Dan Carter did when he kicked that first ball of the World Cup." Located on a private farm on Buckland Rd, Matamata, Hobbiton is the permanent film set built by Sir Peter Jackson's Miramar studios.

[christos-greece]

The house on the photo was the home of the hobbits in the trilogy movie of "Lord of the Rings"?

[SYDNEY]

Originally Posted by christos-greece

The house on the photo was the home of the hobbits in the trilogy movie of "Lord of the Rings"?

Spot on, it was taken on my last visit to Hobbiton just after they finished filming for the new Hobbit movies

[SYDNEY]

Hawke's Bay visitor numbers positive for February

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Art Deco Napier by russelljsmith, on Flickr

Statistics New Zealand has released their latest Commercial Accommodation Monitor (CAM) report, which revealed a return to positive growth for visitor nights. Hawke’s Bay guest nights for February 2012 were up 2% compared to the same period in February 2011. This equates to 2 158 more visitor nights in the region in February. Domestic visitor nights in Hawke’s Bay were up 11.6% (+8000 visitor nights) whilst International visitor nights were down 14.9% (-5767 nights). Hawke’s Bay Hotels had the largest increase (up 33.2% or 5010 guest nights) followed closely by Motels (up 2.1% or 1098 guest nights). Annie Dundas, General Manager of Hawke’s Bay Tourism said she was pleased to see positive news for February visitor nights, particularly the strong domestic visitor numbers. “February is a big month for Hawke’s Bay with two of our three major events on during this time so we would expect to see a good result however the bad weather is still having an impact on weather dependent sectors such a holiday parks which is not great news for those operators”. Nationally figures show 67 000 fewer guest nights or a 2% decline in guest nights in commercial accommodation in February. Hotels showed the largest decrease (down -7.9%) followed closely by Backpacker accommodation (down -3.5%) and motels (down -0.1%). Hawke’s Bay Tourism is continuing its online, print and search engine advertising to encourage travel in the off seasons.

[SYDNEY]

New Indonesia-Auckland air route welcome news for tourism

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C-GITS | Garuda Indonesia | Airbus A330-243 | Montreal | YUL | CYUL by wellor4884, on Flickr

Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) Chief Executive Kevin Bowler says the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed today between Indonesian carrier Garuda Airlines and Auckland International Airport will be welcome news for the tourism industry. “A new carrier into New Zealand offers the tourism industry an opportunity to attract greater number of Indonesians in coming years,” he says. The MOU signals an intention from Garuda Airlines to begin a direct service from Indonesia to Auckland as soon as market conditions and aircraft availability allow. There are currently no direct services between Indonesia and New Zealand, although Air New Zealand is scheduled to begin a limited season of twice-weekly flights to Bali in June. “Indonesia is a small but growing tourism market for New Zealand, with 11,824 visitors coming here in the year to February 2012 (a year-on-year increase of 22.5 per cent).

“Garuda’s plans to begin a direct service to Auckland will be welcomed by everyone in the New Zealand travel industry, and comes at a time when South East Asia has become a new focus for TNZ’s marketing work,” Mr Bowler says. TNZ is likely to increase its efforts in Indonesia in response to Garuda’s announcement. “We will be conducting further market analysis to learn more about Indonesia’s travel trade and the habits of consumers, but we would certainly be interested in discussing joint-venture opportunities with Garuda and with Indonesian travel sellers with the aim of increasing the number of Indonesians visiting New Zealand. “Partnerships with airlines and travel sellers are an essential part of TNZ’s business strategy. It allows us to maximise the effectiveness of our off-shore marketing activities by combining forces with our partners. It allows us to increase consumer awareness of the range of experiences New Zealand has to offer, while helping build demand for an airline’s services, and enhancing the reach of travel sellers’ advertising,” Mr Bowler says.

[SYDNEY]

Karikari Peninsula: Shoreline luxury

Luxury presides at Northland's Carrington Resort

Set above the white sands of the Karikari Peninsula, Carrington Resort is a luxury championship golf course and hotel nestled on a 3000-acre Northland estate. Its beauty lies in its seclusion. On our honeymoon in the height of summer, we drive the four-and-a-half-hours north from Auckland. At reception we are greeted with a smile: would we like a royal tour of the facilities and accommodation? We are guided to our colonial-style accommodation. Despite having been built in 1998, it is a resplendent reminder of New Zealand at the turn of the 1900s. On the wooden veranda we can sip a sauvignon in the shade, perched above the greenery of the golf course and the gum trees. Our lodge room is just as splendid in its interior. Spacious, it has a super king bed and an elegant rimu wooden archway leading into the kitchenette and ensuite.

We follow the concierge through the library and past the billiards room to the clubhouse, which boasts sweeping views of the sea and wetlands and a telescope for night-time star gazing. We're asked if we would we like to experience any of the resort's activities during our stay. On offer are things as diverse as petanque, trying out our skills on an Olympic-standard skeet shooting range and playing a round on the Matt Dye golf course, which spans rolling hills and water holes. While we are assured that the 18-hole championship golf course is designed for every skill level, we opt for something more suited to the heat of the day. Golf carting through the vineyards is more our style. The cart lurches from side to side over gravel as it transports us up to Karikari Estate Winery - New Zealand's northern-most vineyard.

Canoeing in the local lakes is our next adventure. Native birds fossick through the reeds of the 900 acres of restored wetlands, which attract oyster catchers, pukeko, white-faced herons, black swans, kingfishers and a variety of ducks and terns. We skip the gym, but as the sun subsides I convince my husband to practise our game on the championship tennis courts. The court's surface allows for extra bounce but I'm still not certain we would qualify for Wimbledon. Perhaps it's the sea breeze blowing like a gale whenever we hit the ball. Perhaps we are just hungry. Match point: dinner time.

The resort's Carrington Restaurant boasts magnificent service in an intimate dining area. Candles illuminate the white-robed tables. We are recommended Karikari Estate Winery's own vintage, the full-bodied pinotage - or its award-winning viognier chardonnay. The duck is succulent, and nearly overshadows the panoramic views of wetland and gum tree-lined seascape.
Before hitting the hay we reflect on our day in the crystal blue waters of the resort's pool and hot spa. Open for guests until 10pm, the pools provide the perfect place to unwind. The idyllic infinity pool directs the eye to the stretch of sand and sea nearby, where you might spy dolphins, orcas and pilot whales - sometimes within reach of kayakers and swimmers.

[SYDNEY]

Ski fields confident plenty of snow on way

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Source

Ski fields around the country are confident plenty of snow is on its way, despite a largely settled Autumn so far. Work on South Island slopes, including Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt has been non-stop over the summer months as they add new runs and carry out maintenance. And while it's too early to predict when the snow will arrive on the Southern Alps and in what quantities, the ski fields' owners are hoping it comes sooner rather than later. Last year, the snow was late in coming, and in an industry entirely dependent on the weather, it can spell bad news economically. Craig Douglas, sales and marketing manager for NZ Ski Ltd, which runs Mt Hutt, Coronet Peak and The Remarkables ski fields, said the warm Easter has no bearing on what winter will bring.

But he said the settled summer, especially down in Central Otago, has meant they've been working flat out to get the ski fields in prime order. "The guys been working hard all summer, and are now ready to get into winter mode," Mr Douglas said. "All we need now is some snow, and the earlier the better." Mt Hutt and Coronet Peak are both expected to start their seasons on June 9, while The Remarkables is set to open a week later on June 16. While the season starts early in June, the social calendar in the southern ski capital of Queenstown kicks off at the end of June with the town's Winter Festival. From then on, the adventure centre hosts a stream of events, including the Park Ice Invitation where a makeshift slope and jump is erected downtown and up-and-coming freestylers compete for cash.

"It's a fun place to be at this time of year," Mr Douglas said. "It's a bit early to look at any (weather) patterns at this stage, but the season in Central Otago seems to be running as we would expect. Autumn has been, if anything, a bit early and is hopefully a sign of lowering temperatures going into winter. Let's hope so." Similarly, Cardrona sales and marketing manager Nadia Ellis said it was too early to predict what the weather had in store for this season. But she said Cardrona was feeling positive about the season and bookings from Australia were already looking good. The Cardrona ski field was due to open on June 22, Ms Ellis said. "We typically get an early snow fall at the beginning of May, first week in May, we get a little snow fall and then typically that will melt and then we won't start getting solid snow falls until June."

But while it was too early to guess how winter would compare with summer, Ms Ellis said the mountains near the Southern Lakes did not need too much snow to get started. "Because they're really, really smooth, we don't need a whole heap of snow on the ground to get operational ... we can open on 30 to 40cm." Over at Treble Cone ski field, organisers were hopeful the weather this winter would be ideal for a booming season. "It's going to be reasonably cool, and we're going to see reasonably dry snow conditions ... for a lot of the season or certainly the early part of the season," Treble Cone spokesman Nigel Kerr said. Treble Cone opens on June 28 and the season runs until September 30. The weather over summer had been generally settled and sunny in the area, he said, but that was relatively unconnected to the winter ahead.

What would make a difference was the La Nina weather pattern, Mr Kerr said. "La Nina cycle for the most of it, so that sees more southerlies, more dusting of dry, low temperature cold snow, so that's what we've got to look forward to." A large dumping of Autumn snow and regular March and April morning frosts have set up a promising picture for the upcoming winter skiing season at Mt Ruapehu. Callum Learmonth, a program manager at Ruapehu said the Turoa ski field was expected to open on the 16th of June and Whakapapa on the 23rd. The manager of the Mt Ruapehu Summer Program said March and April had seen the best weather all year. He had no concerns about the possible effects of the recent bout of fine weather on the skiing season.

"We've had snow on the mountain at least five times this summer and in March there was snow below 1600 metres. We had to close the road for summer access," he added. "It's also been cold in the mornings and cool in the evenings, which is good." Mr Learmonth said the quality of the snow last year had been excellent and they were hoping for an even bigger season this year. "Our season pass sales are up on last year." He added that snow makers were in place to contend with unpredictable weather conditions. "We have comprehensive snow making machines which can make a large amount of snow in five days." The summer season finishes on Sunday 29 April.

[Yellow Fever]

NZ is one of the most awesome landscapes countries in the world.

[SYDNEY]

Originally Posted by Yellow Fever

NZ is one of the most awesome landscapes countries in the world.

Thanks YF Have a great weekend mate

[SYDNEY]

Passenger flights between China, NZ to triple

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Air New Zealand ZK-OKD by Rich Snyder--Jetarazzi Photography, on Flickr

The number of passenger flights between China and New Zealand could triple under a new agreement that would open up a new Christchurch route. A total of 42 return flights a week, split evenly between airlines from each country, can now be operated between the two nations. The agreement comes after China Southern recently started daily flights between Auckland and Guangzhou, which pushed the previous quota of weekly flights to its limit.

Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee said today the agreement was a positive step for the New Zealand tourism industry. The move, which would allow China Southern to schedule flights to Christchurch, follows a visit from China's fourth-ranked leader, Jia Qinglin. The new air services arrangements also allows more stopovers en route, liberalised tariffs regulations, and greater co-operation between civil aviation authorities in both countries.

[SYDNEY]

Carnival celebrates bumper cruise season for New Zealand

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0051 Sun Princess - Auckland NZ by edschonsett, on Flickr

The last ship to visit New Zealand this season for Carnival Australia – the biggest cruise liner company in Australasia – will be docked at Auckland’s Princes Wharf on Sunday. Sea Princess will be the last of almost 400 Carnival ship visits to 12 New Zealand ports this season – more than double the number of visits than the previous season for the company and almost five times more than three years ago. The season for Carnival brought more than 115,000 passengers to New Zealand from October to April and contributed an estimated $200 million to our country’s tourism economy. Each ship visit has generated an estimated $150,000 spend on local New Zealand products, including 30 tonnes of fresh fruit and vegetables, 600kg flour, local dairy, meat and seafood. Passengers have enjoyed on average 600 bottles of wine daily, including New Zealand favourites such as Cloudy Bay, Matua Valley, The Sisters and Mount Riley. Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia which represents P&O Cruises, Cunard Line, Princess Cruises, and P&O Cruises World Cruising in New Zealand, said our country was in the midst of a cruising “boom”.

“New Zealand and Australia are the fastest growing and most exciting cruise markets in the world,” said Ms Sherry. “New Zealand is not only an extremely attractive destination for our international cruise passengers, particularly those from the Northern Hemisphere, but more Kiwis than ever before are discovering cruise holidays. “The Pacific Islands are proving a very popular playground, and being able to explore several different island countries and have your food, accommodation and entertainment included is obviously an appealing option” Ms Sherry said the continued growth of cruise ship visits to New Zealand and of cruising in general in this country provided many opportunities. “As well as the obvious economic benefits from things such as port fees and providoring, tourism operators and local businesses have seen a constant stream of ships over the summer months and I am delighted they took full advantage of this captive audience and showed our passengers what their local areas are all about.”

Highlights of the 2011/12 cruise season for Carnival and New Zealand included:

Northland

·
Twenty Carnival ship visits brought more than 35,000 passengers to the Bay of Islands.

·
Paihia ran a successful Ambassador Programme with the support of local businesses, greeting passengers and providing them with local information.

·
The vibrancy of the town centre was enhanced during ship visits with markets and street entertainment.

Bay of Plenty

·
The Port of Tauranga received 50 Carnival ship visits this season, equating to more than 93,000 passengers and an increase of 61 per cent on last season.

·
There was strong local support for ship visits, with families watching the ships sail out of port, crowds at the port gates trying to get up close and locals chatting to passengers.

·
Tourism Bay of Plenty had up to 18 staff working at the port on ship visit days.

·
Local retailers supported ship visits by offering specials and the ability for passengers to pay in foreign currencies.

Hawke’s Bay

·
More than 40 Carnival ships visited Napier this season (80,000+ passengers).

·
Hawke’s Bay demonstrated some fantastic local engagement activities for ship departures, with a special art deco farewell put on for each one that included vintage cars, people dressed up on the port, and a brass band playing live music.

Wellington

·
The capital received 54 visits from Carnival ships this season – an increase of 69 per cent from last season.

·
More than 95,000 passengers had the opportunity to explore the city and surrounding region, injecting more than $13 million into the city’s economy.

·
Across Cook Strait, Picton saw 10 Carnival ship visits this season – up from just one last season.

Southland

·
Fifty Carnival ships visited Dunedin, bringing more than 90,000 passengers to the city.

·
Fifty-eight more ships than last year took in scenic Fiordland as part of their itineraries.

·
Stewart Island’s Oban (pop: 400) received its maiden, and three subsequent, visits.

Christchurch

·
Akaroa stepped up as the default port for Lyttleton and received around 50 Carnival ship visits, equating to 90,000+ passengers.

Auckland

·
Auckland had 54 visits from Carnival ships for the season, bringing more than 100,000 passengers into the city.

·
Research showed an impressive average passenger satisfaction rating for the city of 84.7 per cent.

Looking ahead to next season

·
Next year will see another increase in Carnival cruise ship visits to New Zealand, with around 440 visits planned.

·
All three Cunard liners will visit New Zealand shores during the 2012/13 season. Flagship liner Queen Mary 2 will complete her first 12-night Royal Circumnavigation of New Zealand in March, calling into the Bay of Islands, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch (maiden call) and Milford Sound. In February, sister ship Queen Victoria will visit Auckland and the Bay of Islands and the fleet’s youngest liner Queen Elizabeth will visit Auckland, Napier, Wellington and Christchurch.

·
The first Spirit class or “fun ship” for Carnival Cruise Lines (Carnival Spirit) sails to New Zealand from its new full-time home of Australia, making more than 20 port calls throughout New Zealand during the season.

[SYDNEY]

Travel editors hail two NZ luxury hotels

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QUEENSTOWN 24 JUN 11 di Urban+Explorer, su Flickr

Two top South Island accommodation providers are looking forward to big spin-offs after appearing on a international list of the world's best new hotels.

Hilton Queenstown and Nelson's Bishop's Suites feature in the Conde Nast Traveler's "Hot List" of the world's best new hotels, chosen by the magazine's editors.

Conde Nast Traveler called the Hilton "Asian-inspired serenity with Maori touches". "The lakefront Hilton is the jewel - near yet wonderfully far from the tourist magnet that is Queenstown," it says. "While the Hilton may be light on ultra-luxe touches, its lure is magnetic, thanks to such tranquil comforts as the high-ceilinged 82-foot [23m] indoor pool with access (via circular staircase) to a 10-room spa."

Hilton Queenstown general manager Marlene Poynder said Conde Nast Traveler was probably the most read publication globally "from a travel sense" and within the tourism industry. The recognition would throw a spotlight on Queenstown as well as the hotel. "Our global PR agency in New York has already picked up on it. So we know that the news will travel fast. When people are thinking of travelling to this part of the world, they might put Queenstown on their list now ...particularly in the younger affluent demographic," Ms Poynder said.

Conde Nast Traveler said the Bishop's Suites - luxury stand-alone apartments attached to an 87-year-old Nelson homestead - had a "wedding album perfect" look. "This gracious, secluded home feels like a country retreat, and being greeted like long-lost friends is just the beginning," it says. "Mary and Peter Dallison may be new to luxury hosting, but what's here is on a par with the best high-end lodges in New Zealand."

Mr Dallison said the accolade was amazing, and would help to put Nelson on the map as a luxury destination. "It just doesn't get any better."

HOT SPOTS

HILTON QUEENSTOWN: $345 a night in deluxe lake view room in low season; $245 a night for guest room in the low season; only Queenstown hotel directly on the shores of Lake Wakatipu; stone fireplaces feature in all rooms.

BISHOP'S SUITES NELSON: $1500 (sleeping two people) to $2850 (sleeping four people) plus tax, including meals; luxury apartments added to Bishopdale Estate homestead, on an 8ha estate; open fireplace, air conditioning, flat-screen TV in all suites.

[SYDNEY]

Mayor supports Auckland luxury tourism strategy for China

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Kauri Cliffs Lodge by RalphJB, on Flickr

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) and Auckland Airport have agreed on a new and very focused strategy for growing the important China visitor market. The strategy is based around targeting high yielding business and first class passengers and selling premium experiences and accommodation on arrival in Auckland. Auckland Mayor Len Brown has announced a new marketing partnership between ATEED and Auckland Airport in Guangzhou as part of the Mayor’s trade mission to five Chinese cities. The partnership sees ATEED and Auckland Airport combine to establish a $200,000 luxury marketing fund for growing the Chinese visitor market. "This mayoral trade mission is focused on business outcomes and the new initiative will generate high yielding Chinese visitors who will not only stay longer and do more, but will influence their peers to come as well,” says Mayor Len Brown.

The Mayor is also attending an exclusive event in Shanghai today hosted by ATEED, Auckland Airport, Air New Zealand and SkyCity for 60 multi-millionaire business people from the exclusive Shanghai Travellers Club. ATEED Manager Tourism Jason Hill says Auckland is investing strongly in attracting more high yielding Chinese visitors to Auckland. “It is vital we work as an industry to maximise the potential of this fast growing visitor market. This China delegation and luxury marketing fund will bode well for raising awareness of Auckland’s premium tourism offering and mix of sophisticated urban and natural experiences,” says Mr Hill. Auckland’s China trade mission coincides with an announcement this week by the Ministry of Transport of a new air services arrangement with China that triples the amount of passenger flights that may be operated between the two countries.

“This is great news and means that initiatives such as this marketing fund have more room to grow – now it is up to the industry to take advantage of the opportunity,” says Mr Hill. Auckland Airport CEO Simon Moutter adds that this initiative is part of Auckland Airport’s programme to develop premium travel markets. “We are absolutely committed to capturing the lucrative Chinese travel market. It is important we jointly, as an industry, grab the opportunity to develop New Zealand as a premium brand to that market. The rapidly growing number of affluent Chinese tourists represents a massive economic opportunity for Auckland. They are now spending on average $300 per night, more than European, North American and other Asian tourists. Chinese holiday stay in New Zealand has now grown to an average of 6.1 nights per visitor. We expect this to grow as the Chinese become more confident travellers,” says Mr Moutter.

“Global tourism trends now indicate there are an increasing number of travellers from both traditional and emerging markets, who are high net-worth, have high-spending patterns and are prepared to pay premium prices for a high quality, unique tourism experience or product. This fits perfectly with Auckland's quality tourism proposition.” “Our new partnership announced today with ATEED will focus on working together to increase the value of tourism from this key market. It’s a very competitive market globally, and Auckland and New Zealand has to put its best foot forward in order to get its share of the action,” adds Mr Moutter. The New Zealand Government also has its eye on China – Immigration New Zealand has made major improvements to immigration processes, Tourism New Zealand has increased its marketing efforts in China, and New Zealand Trade & Enterprise has launched a major China strategy to support the free trade agreement.

China is one of Auckland’s key visitor markets, with 134,444 visitors to December 2011. It is Auckland’s fastest growing market, with visitor numbers up 19 per cent on the previous year.

[SYDNEY]

Hilton Queenstown named one of world’s hottest new hotels

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QUEENSTOWN 24 JUN 11 by Urban+Explorer, on Flickr

Hilton Queenstown has been named one of the hottest new hotels in the world by Conde Nast Traveler’s 2012 Hot List. The luxury travel publication’s annual Hot List is widely regarded as the ultimate insider’s guide to the world’s best new hotels, spas and restaurants. The Conde Nast Traveler Hot List issue, describes Hilton Queenstown as “the jewel” of the new Kawarau Village complex which opened in June 2011. One of the Conde Nast editors visited the opulent 178-room Hilton Queenstown incognito, staying in one of the beautifully appointed Relaxation Rooms which feature hot tubs on private lakefront decks. The review highlighted some of the exceptional facilities at the hotel, including the stunning eforea: spa at Hilton and the tranquil 25m indoor lap pool. It also mentioned the influence of local culture in the design of the beautifully constructed hotel, referring to the pieces of New Zealand art on display.

The range of dining options available in Kawarau Village were mentioned as favourable factors; from Stacks Pub and family-friendly fare at Me & Mee Noodle Bar, to high-end cuisine at waterfront restaurant Wakatipu Grill. General manager Hilton Queenstown, Marlene Poynder, said “We are honored to be named on the Conde Nast Traveler 2012 Hot List. Hilton Queenstown combines an incredible location, exceptional style and the iconic Queenstown destination with our warm and friendly Hilton hospitality to set the standard for hotels in New Zealand.” The stunning Queenstown hotel is positioned directly on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and delivers glorious views of the lake and surrounding mountains, including the landmark Remarkables Mountain Range. For more information about the Conde Nast Traveler Hot List, and to read their review of Hilton Queenstown, visit: www.cntraveler.com.

[SYDNEY]

Auckland Airport recognised as best in Australia-Pacific

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29 MAY 11 16°C AKL AIRPORT by Urban+Explorer, on Flickr

Auckland Airport was named for the fourth year in a row the Best Airport in the Australia / Pacific region at the 2012 World Airport Awards held at the Passenger Terminal EXPO in Vienna overnight, and was also awarded Best Staff Service for the Australia Pacific region. Auckland also came second globally to Vancouver in the Best Airports by "size of Airport", for airports handling 10 to 20 million passengers annually. Simon Moutter, Chief Executive of Auckland Airport said, "Auckland Airport is extremely proud to have been recognised on the global stage in the Skytrax World Airport Awards for the fourth year in a row as the best airport in Australia Pacific.

We are especially pleased to have reclaimed the award for Best Airport Staff Australia/Pacific. “It highlights once again that the focus of everyone across the entire airport on making journeys better continues to benefit the end consumer and help us shine in the eyes of passengers. Making journeys better is the sum of many different parts, from cleaners to Customs, from airlines to Aviation Security, from border agencies to baggage-handlers – everyone plays a part." “Our focus on expanding the quality and range of products and services for consumers across all parts of the airport experience has been very well received by passengers, who appreciate having more choice and options.

We have invested in a number of innovations over recent years that have directly benefited the passenger by streamlining the processing part of the journey, therefore providing more time and choice,” said Mr Moutter, “and that focus will continue.” Edward Plaisted, Chairman of SKYTRAX, said, "We congratulate Auckland on their success at this year's awards. Winning both the Best Airport Australia/Pacific and Best Airport Staff Service in Australia/Pacific is a real statement of quality in terms of both product and service standards. Overall, we have seen an improvement in performance for several major airports in this category and Auckland should be pleased that it is still considered the premier airport in this region."

Incheon International Airport in Seoul scooped the title as the World's Best Airport for 2012, with Asian airports dominating the awards, as six of the top ten positions are awarded to airports across Asia. Auckland Airport’s General Manager Retail & Commercial, Adrian Littlewood, said, “We’re grateful to all the passengers who voted for us, and to the entire Auckland Airport community who work so tirelessly delivering world-class customer service. Friendly kiwi service is one of the things that makes New Zealand such an attractive tourism destination, and it makes a genuine difference in growing New Zealand travel, trade and tourism for the benefit of consumers and the economy.” “We are committed to continuing to build more international connections, develop innovations, find efficiencies and improve the passenger experience wherever we can. There are some challenges ahead, we know that the domestic travel experience at Auckland lags behind the international travel experience – our longer-term plan is to lift the performance there as well. But we’re ready for the challenge.”

[SYDNEY]

Earlier Easter boosts visitor arrivals

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South Island,New Zealand by saltytheseal, on Flickr

Visitors to New Zealand increased 11 percent in March 2012, compared with March 2011, Statistics New Zealand said today. Earlier Easter and Australian school holidays were a key reason for the rise. The increase was also partly a recovery after visitor numbers dropped following the Christchurch earthquake. "Even though Good Friday fell on 6 April this year, more people generally travel in the lead up to holiday periods," Population Statistics manager Andrea Blackburn said. "Of the 24,400 extra visitors in March 2012, 18,100 more came in the last 10 days of the month." Visitors from China were up 8,700 from March 2011, the second-highest monthly increase ever from that country. There were 8,400 more arrivals from Australia because of the earlier holidays. In the March 2012 year, 2.618 million visitors arrived in New Zealand, up 4 percent from 2011. The largest increases were in visitors from Australia, China, and Malaysia.

The largest decrease was in visitors from Japan. New Zealand residents took 153,000 overseas trips in March 2012, up 7 percent from March 2011. The majority of the increase was in the last five days of the month, in the lead up to the Easter and school holidays. In the March 2012 year, New Zealand residents took 2.127 million overseas trips, up 4 percent from 2011. New Zealand had a seasonally adjusted net gain of 100 migrants in March 2012. This is only the second monthly net gain since the February 2011 earthquake in Christchurch. Unadjusted figures showed 600 more arrivals and 400 fewer departures of non-New Zealand citizens in March 2012. In the March 2012 year, there were net gains of migrants from most other countries, led by the United Kingdom (5,500), India (5,200), and China (5,000). END