NZ | Travel + Tourism

[icemandesign]

And what you think about night Formula 1 race in Auckland harbour?

Just imagine...fantastic Auckland night skyline with fantastic pictures....uh...

There were ideas like that or what? It would be fantastic thing for Auckland and New Zealand's tourism....

You need some annualy event to attract people from Europe...because it's so far away from here, and people need some event there to decide to go on New Zealand...and I think everyone who came on F1 race would stay at least 7 days on New Zealand...it would be fantastic thing for promotion of your country.

I found something on youtube..


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wcku-u4zbv8

[KiwiGuy]

Nah, it won't happen.

[Milan Luka]

But theres no reason why it shouldnt happen. NZ has a great history in formula 1- Chris Amon, Denny Hulme and of course Bruce McLaren. Auckland should so have an F1 race, make it a day one though, better views.

Iceman, you probably arent aware that its very hard for Auckland to organise anything. They just squabble over everything; noise, environment, cost. The Australian supercars proposed an annual streetrace for Auckland a few years ago. The city couldnt agree on anything so the race ended up being staged in Hamilton.

[icemandesign]

Originally Posted by Milan Luka

But theres no reason why it shouldnt happen. NZ has a great history in formula 1- Chris Amon, Denny Hulme and of course Bruce McLaren. Auckland should so have an F1 race, make it a day one though, better views.

Iceman, you probably arent aware that its very hard for Auckland to organise anything. They just squabble over everything; noise, environment, cost. The Australian supercars proposed an annual streetrace for Auckland a few years ago. The city couldnt agree on anything so the race ended up being staged in Hamilton.

I completely agree with you, why not? And that's true, Mclaren is NZer It would be fantastic...environment..come on, they are driving in the Auckland center....after 2013 it will be hybrid F1 cars...

Auckland, Melbourne, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai....tour..

That would be fantastic for NZ tourism...

[Milan Luka]

What about a race set in RA-GU-SA????? Start at Brsalje and go out to Lapad and back. Would be a better race than Monaco. Zar ne?

[icemandesign]

Originally Posted by Milan Luka

What about a race set in RA-GU-SA????? Start at Brsalje and go out to Lapad and back. Would be a better race than Monaco. Zar ne?

A naravno da bi bila bolja nego u Monacu...hehehe

Start on Pile gate, then near Hilton, up to Boninovo and then left to Lapad...

Dubrovnik is small for that things...maybe Split. This year in Split is Formula 2000 (a Formula 1 on water)...

You are Slavonac...hehehe

Come sometimes on Croatian forum, and comment something...please, we will appreciate your comments....

[SYDNEY]

New Zealand is one of the World's lifestyle superpowers

New Zealand is "one of the great lifestyle superpowers of the world" according to the BBC's Sydney correspondent Nick Bryant, who wonders in a post on bbc.co.uk why the rest of the world can't be more like little ol' Aotearoa. Bryant's thoughts, penned following a recent visit to our shores, were prompted by an encounter with "a middle-aged customs official with a sense of humour", the discovery that New Zealand has a 24-hour rugby channel, our "funky" arts scene and the "quaint fastidiousness" which still sees cricket commentators convene on the boundary during the tea break to enjoy - of all things, a pot of tea.

He points out too, that New Zealand can be "edgy and forward", citing the fact we were the first country in the world to give women the vote and the impending launch of the "world's most comprehensive emissions trading scheme to curb greenhouse gases". "Best of all, perhaps, is how non-indigenous New Zealanders live in such harmony with their indigenous compatriots," writes Bryant, whose piece is among the most-read articles on bbc.co.uk today. "Next year [New Zealand] hosts the Rugby World Cup," he concludes, "but for now I will leave this country with my usual parting thought: 'Why can't the rest of the world be more like New Zealand?'"

Earlier this year, an index compiled by International Living magazine ranked new Zealand as the fifth-best country in the world to live in. The index ranks 194 countries, taking into account cost of living, culture and leisure, economy, environment, freedom, health, infrastructure, safety and risk, and climate. New Zealand's "pristine landscapes", the Auckland waterfront and the Southern Alps were singled out for special mention.

Last year's UN Human Development Report, which calculates the well-being of people in 182 countries by taking into account life expectancy, literacy, school enrolment and GDP per capita, ranked New Zealand 20th.

[SYDNEY]

Air New Zealand is the World's 5th favourite Airline

image hosted on flickr

By Fly for Fun

Over 17.9 million passengers have cast their vote for the world's top airlines in a Skytrax survey and Air New Zealand was ranked the 4th best.

[Indictable]

Sorry but it say's NZ is 5th, not 4th. I think it should be first personally. Even though they don't have an F product, they really deliver in their J product. Trans-tasman J isn't bad either (haven't been on their TT J in about 3 years, mind)

[buildemhigh]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpn6ijA8rrY

Whilst you might say this has nothing to do with NZ tourism.. I genuinely feel that this ad is so bad people will avoid Aus and come straight here...

Shows how good our creative guys are here in little old unzed

[crawf]

I feel embarrassed to be an Australian *cringes*

[Richard7666]

Holy shit. Even those awful Queensland 'The Monkees' ripoff ads are better than that. Their marketers all seem to be stuck in the 60s atm.

Even Fiji has better ads lol. WA had good ads recently though.

[Indictable]

I love the Fiji Me ad. Hot lady. Hot beach. Hot everything.

Hate pretty much all of Aussies ad's - except the Melbourne ones. They're great.

Bloody love 100% Pure NZ

[Davee]

The Press

Tourism industry movers and shakers this week congregated for Trenz 2010 - a showcase conference that brings overseas buyers to look at the country's visitor product. Deputy business editor ALAN WOOD takes a look at what has been a flat performing sector.

With world travellers shaken by a volatile economic climate, New Zealand tourism industry bosses say it is time to chase extra airline services to stimulate a rebound.

The Government has announced an extra $30 million for Tourism New Zealand's marketing budget, to a total of nearly $100m - the most TNZ has ever had to market our so- called "100% Pure" destination.

Not so long ago tourism was claimed as the top export performer for the country, but earnings of $9.3 billion in the year to March 2009 put it behind dairy with $9.9b.

Prime Minister John Key wants to drive new growth after the flatter tourism years since 2007, but at this week's Trenz 2010 (Tourism Rendezvous New Zealand) was reluctant to give an annual visitor growth target.

"Good times" for tourism are anticipated, though the recovery will not be easy, adds Associate Tourism Minister Jonathan Coleman.

With a new chief executive, Kevin Bowler, TNZ needs to perform each year to keep the Government top-up of what has been a funding base of $69m. Given the huge uncertainties that remain in economically constrained markets in Europe, TNZ and smaller regional tourism operators like Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism are devising a new gameplan. Target markets are Australia, the US, China and Germanic Europe.

Bowler's biggest worry is the country's reliance on the economically downtrodden airline industry: "I think aviation connections to New Zealand are probably the biggest macro challenge.

"It's a tremendously difficult industry, airlines, and also our simple geography means New Zealand is at the end of some very long thin air routes."

In tough economic times partnerships - such as the TNZ- regional tourism organisation joint $10m marketing campaign into Australia - are becoming more common.

Even some usually competitive airports are working together. Queenstown Airport chief executive Steve Sanderson says it is collaborating with Auckland International Airport (AIA), given that more than 70 per cent of international arrivals into New Zealand come through the northern hub.

Christchurch International Airport is a more direct competitor to AIA and has been vying with that airport to get new services to New Zealand, including from budget Malaysian airline AirAsia X.

Ad Feedback AIA chief executive Simon Moutter says there has been talk that AirAsia X's investigation of a Kuala Lumpur-Auckland route had been interrupted by the Malaysian Government, which owns Malaysia Airlines.

"We've talked to AirAsia X on many occasions. The real issues for them are what their own Government will let them fly. You can see the issues they've confronted in Australia - they got kept off the KL to Sydney route.

"We have a similar issue on Auckland because Malaysia Airlines flies to Auckland . . . [but] they're attracted to the destination and we hope at some point the Malaysian Government will allow them to fly."

Christchurch International Airport chief executive Jim Boult says the company is continuing in positive discussions with AirAsia X.

Continental Airlines this week announced it will fly daily to the North Island from its Houston hub. It has plans for nonstop flights by the new generation Boeing 787 Dreamliner to Auckland from November 201,1 subject to Government approval.

Key says constraint on air services into New Zealand is also being worked on by the Government.

There is a direct correlation between the price of air travel (cheaper seats) and increased demand as seen on trans- Tasman routes.

"We are committed to trying to do everything we can to build capacity by making sure we are a welcoming place for airlines that want to fly here.

"Obviously we welcome the news from Continental Airlines . . . the Government has actively been in discussions with other airlines that are considering coming to New Zealand."

The Government has also had discussions with several countries about building greater air links with "open skies agreements". One of those, with talks in a "serious" ongoing status, is Japan.

Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism chief executive Christine Prince says too few flights provided by airlines like Singapore Airlines are creating bottlenecks in Asia.

Load levels are very high, so anything that can be done for route development to allow extra visitors will obviously benefit the region.

Prince has a vision that the regional tourism industry will contribute $2.09b to the local economy by 2013, up 1.5 per cent from now.

"That encompasses everything from [spending on] accommodation, transport, bars, restaurants, shopping . . . one of the key things for us is going to be leveraging those [industry and regional] partnerships."

Key says TNZ's Bowler had been appointed partly in light of his communications background, particularly in the digital online space.

"We expect to see them [TNZ] have a substantial increase in the online marketing they will undertake, particularly in places like China - so we're launching in June from memory a 100% Pure online campaign just as an example."

The Chinese take around 54 million outbound trips a year and researchers expect that to increase to 100 million trips by 2020.

"It's going to double in the next 10 years and we think New Zealand can pick up its fair share of that," Key says.

In the shorter term the Rugby World Cup 2011 is looming.

Key is confident that the Government's target - that the tournament should bring in more than 85,000 visitors - is one organisers can cope with.

"In my view New Zealand represents the Holy Grail of the world cup when it comes to rugby.

"We are the place where internationally people want to come and watch the Rugby World Cup because of our historical dominance in the sport . . . If we are as successful as we'd like it to be, then showcasing New Zealand to a massive worldwide audience will spark their imagination of wanting to have a visit."

TNZ USA Growth Strategy project director Tim Hunter says a more collaborative approach will be used in the United States, where the marketing body will partner with Air New Zealand - each contributing $15m annually - to give $30m a year over a five year period from 2010-11.

Funding would go into marketing and promotion avenues, such as television show America's Next Top Model which was brought to New Zealand for a cost to TNZ of around $500,000.

The US provides just under 200,000 visitors to New Zealand each year. TNZ has a "bold" target of around 330,000 US arrivals by 2014.

TNZ is also jostling for a presence on other high profile American shows, though it doesn't want to disclose which ones due to confidentiality.

"Celebrity culture is huge and if we don't leverage off that we're missing an opportunity," Hunter says.

[NZ1]

Originally Posted by Indictable

Sorry but it say's NZ is 5th, not 4th. I think it should be first personally. Even though they don't have an F product, they really deliver in their J product. Trans-tasman J isn't bad either (haven't been on their TT J in about 3 years, mind)

TT J is about to go on most flights Not that I fly in that class short-haul, and judging by AirNZ's comments I'm not the only one!

[Indictable]

Originally Posted by NZ1

TT J is about to go on most flights Not that I fly in that class short-haul, and judging by AirNZ's comments I'm not the only one!

It's stupid that whole bloody new way thing. Starting with CHC-SYD I believe? I guess htey have to compete with JQ and to a lesser extent - DJ.

Booked some $148 including taxes return per person CHC-SYD on the new way thing, so for a saving it can't be all that bad (was $150 cheaper than JQ for the flight days too -and you get a little bit more than JQ's horrible bleh.)

[Richard7666]

Queenstown is leading New Zealand's tourism market with a massive 18 percent increase in hotel guest nights for the month of April.

Hoteliers said a burgeoning Australian market, a resurgence in conference bookings and easily accessible skifields were key drivers of the increase.

New Zealand-wide, guest nights were up 208,168 on April last year, a 13 percent increase. International visitor nights were up by 20 per cent and domestic visitor nights were up 1.8 percent.

Otago, Southland, Auckland and Canterbury were the only regions that contributed to the increase from April last year.Otago was up 30,000 guest nights, or 8 per cent, while Southland was up by 3000 guest nights, or 4 percent.

In Queenstown, hotel visitor nights – defined as one guest staying for one night – were up 18 percent.

Mercure Resort Queenstown general manager Paul Clark said demand for accommodation in the 148-room hotel was robust and it augured well for the winter season.

Many Australians booked early for a winter break, including repeat visitors impressed by the skifields, he said.

He said the business conference market was also recovering.

"We have a lot of return visitors. The Aussie market is fantastic," he said.

Novotel Queenstown Lakeside general manager Jim Moore said bookings at the 273-room hotel were increasing.

With more flights into the resort town, more holidaymakers needed accommodation, he said.

The Australian market was burgeoning but the European market was "delicate". Visitor numbers from India were increasing and there was potential to grow the China tourism market, he said.

The Rees Hotel and Apartments general manager Mark Rose said 70 percent of bookings for July and August were from Australian customers.

Many Aussies were repeat customers or first-time visitors and he expected winter business to increase by 20 percent on last year.

Mr Rose also said the UK market was struggling with unfavourable exchange rates but tourism operators remained "bullish."

Queenstown Hotel Association head John McIlwain said it was important to bear in mind Easter Weekend and the biennial Warbirds over Wanaka were in April, boosting visitor numbers.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-tim...tourism-market

[Indictable]

Why don't the first 6 words suprise me?

[Mr_kiwi_fruit]

Queenstown ahead in beds


image hosted on flickr

By boney10

Research released today (11 June) shows Queenstown has once again topped the country as New Zealand’s destination of choice. According to Statistics New Zealand’s April Commercial Accommodation Monitor (CAM) total visitor nights were up 208,168 or 13.5 per cent, domestic visitor nights were up 1.8 per cent to 71,838 and international visitor nights were up 20.8 per cent to 136,330 compared to the same time last year. Destination Queenstown CEO Tony Everitt says it’s good to see visitor numbers consistently tracking up and particularly positive to see growth again in the domestic market. “It’s a good indication that the local tourism industry supporting Destination Queenstown’s DQ’s True Colours autumn campaign is working. April is one of Queenstown’s most beautiful times of the year and we’re delighted more people are choosing to visit in what’s traditionally a quieter period.”

John McIlwain, the head of Queenstown’s Hotel Association, is also happy with the results. Local hotel guest nights were up 18.8 per cent compared to the same time last year. “It’s very pleasing to see international business continue to produce solid results but we also need to keep in mind that Easter and the bi-annual Warbirds over Wanaka fell in April this year. However, as we move into the traditionally quieter months of May and June, there are some positive signs that occupancy levels over the quieter months will be better than last year.”

[Mr_kiwi_fruit]

Visitor arrivals hit 2.5 million


image hosted on flickr

by stuartashall

Visitor arrivals to New Zealand were 2.501 million in the June 2010 year, the first time 2.5 million has been surpassed, Statistics New Zealand said today. "This milestone was almost reached in 2008, but the global economic downturn contributed to a decline in visitor numbers after a peak of 2.497 million in the March 2008 year," Population Statistics manager Bridget Hamilton-Seymour said. The 2 million visitor mark was reached in the November 2002 year, and the 1 million mark in the April 1992 year. Visitors from Australia accounted for 1.119 million or 45 percent of all visitors in the June 2010 year. A further 25 percent of visitors came from four countries; the United Kingdom (248,900), the United States (194,000), China (105,200), and Japan (83,600).

Visitor arrivals in the June month were 145,800, up 8 percent from June 2009. There were more visitors from Australia, and visitor numbers from China, Japan, and Korea recovered after the H1N1 pandemic affected arrivals from those countries in June 2009. Fewer visitors arrived from the United Kingdom and the United States. In June 2010, New Zealand residents departed on 198,800 overseas trips, 13 percent more than in June 2009. There were more trips to Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. In the June 2010 year, New Zealand residents took 1.968 million overseas trips.