Publication

Covering the complete travel distribution chain
June July 2013
New
Caledonia
in focus
King Kong
preview
Talking
Thailand
Sunshine
Coast
ATE report
Latest
paparazzo
www.travelinc.co.nz
Get your slice of the globe
Pacific Area Incentives & Conferences Expo 2013
Discover the best destinations, products and services on offer for your offshore events in 2014 and beyond.
Now in its 10th year, PAICE has become a must attend event for New Zealand based
organisers of offshore incentives, meetings, special interest tours, sports tours,
corporate functions and other events. For suppliers in the Pacific rim and beyond, this is
the one place to reach highly qualified buyers in one day, under one roof. There is always
massive interest in the event from convention bureaux, venues, hoteliers, destination
management companies and other organisations so don’t miss out.
SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre
November 13 2013 9.00am - 5.00pm
To exhibit at PAICE contact Michelle Pedersen on +64 9 818 7807
or email michelle@promag.co.nz Visitor registration will open in July
2013
www.paicexpo.co.nz
AT A GLANCE
Air Tahiti Nui’s ‘revamp’ 2
New luxury 27
Tahiti’s success in New Zealand comes at a time
when the airline’s fleet of A340-300s is seeing
a refit
High end corporate retreats are among the
markets that a new boutique luxury hotel on
Norfolk Island is targeting
Easy to reach reef Cruising far and wide 4
The Southern Great Barrier Reef has recorded a
19% increase from the New Zealand market
More than 48,000 New Zealanders took a
cruise holiday in 2012
The big event ALSO
5
King Kong strides onto the stage in Melbourne
Applause for ATE 15
The Australian Tourism Exchange and its host
city of Sydney have received enthusiastic
reviews from New Zealand product managers
Loyalty with personality 23
Loyalty programmes are increasingly moving
towards personalising and customising reward
experiences
Business travel Editorial News Paparazzo Human resources Industry update Yarra Valley
Destination update
New event
31
2
2
6
8
9
25
27
32
Sunshine Coast
18
24
Business travel is back and well and truly
in growth mode, according to the latest
Euromonitor International forecast
Cover story:
New brands, enhancements to existing products
and the realisation that New Caledonia now offers
value for money are all giving the destination a
boost in the New Zealand market. Added to that is
a push to encourage Kiwis to have a ‘Noumea plus’
type experience – visiting the Northern Province,
Isle of Pines and/or Loyalty Islands to extend their
stay in New Caledonia. Full story starts page 10.
Contact: New Caledonia Tourism
Phone 09 307 5257
Internet: www.visitnewcaledonia.com
WebTV: www.newcaledonia-tv.com
Thailand
20
Stevenson’s legacy
30
TravelInc is registered as a magazine and is published by ProMag Publishing Ltd.
Unit 3, 208 West Coast Road, Glen Eden, PO Box 60154, Titirangi, Auckland.
internet: www.travelinc.co.nz Phone: 09 818 7807. Fax: 09 818 7864.
Publisher/Editor: Stu Freeman email: stu@promag.co.nz Advertising Manager: Trish
Freeman email: trish@promag.co.nz Assistant Editor: Ruth Scott email: ruth@promag.co.nz
Journalist: Ashleigh Gilchrist Administration Manager: Lena Corlett Contributors: Kathy
Ombler, Design & production: Gary Covich email: studio@promag.co.nz Printing: Image
Centre Distribution: Western Mailing ISSN: 1176-936X
The material in this publication is subject to copyright. No part of the magazine may be reproduced without the
written permission of the publisher. No responsibility is accepted by ProMag Publishing for accuracy of information
contained in the text, illustrations or advertisements. The opinions in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the
views of the publisher.
editorial / news
Remember me? I’m a customer
The New Zealand Hotel
Industry Conference at
Pullman Auckland last month
had, as you would expect,
some high level thinking.
Subjects such as an industry
strategic overview, the effect of
global economies on tourism
businesses, and a ministerial
address were all included.
But the event also drilled down to what
individual operators could do better and a
particularly interesting report was presented
by Chris Adams, director of research and
general manager South Pacific with Miles.
(See page 26 for more)
The core of his message was that many
hotels, motels and apartments have no idea
where their business is coming from. They
under-estimate the power of their direct
communications through advertising, phone
calls, their own websites and various other
mediums and contact points.
This means they tend to rely on online
travel agents and chains – important parts
of the marketing mix but probably not to be
seen as a 100% solution.
‘The internet has completely reshaped the
travel industry with an estimated 80% plus of
New Zealand travellers and travellers from our
major international markets using the web as
a source of travel information,’ says the report.
‘But while the internet is a critical source of
information it still represents only a minority
of bookings in the industry. The best available
research estimates that total online bookings
for hotels and other accommodation in
Australia and New Zealand is only 22% of
total hotel revenue.’
Something I found particularly interesting
in the report was the need to focus on (and
Airline revamp
in tune
with Tahiti’s
popularity
Incentive travel has helped
Tahiti register strong growth
in the New Zealand market.
Groups, incentives, and FIT all
contributed to 2012 showing a
30% increase over the previous
year – taking the total of Kiwi
visitors to 7200. Meantime
Australia is up 24% to 100,000.
‘It’s been good for the carriers working the
route,’ says Mark Hutchinson, general manager
New Zealand / Australia with Air Tahiti Nui.
He adds that while details are still not
available, the airline is hoping to add extra
capacity later in the year. ‘We’ve had good
2 travelinc june/july 2013
Getting comfortable… Mark Hutchinson
samples the business class cabin in one of the
refitted A340-300s on the ground in Auckland
support. Tahiti is a romantic, adventure
destination but we’re also seeing good
business from groups and incentives.
‘We had a hiatus when the economy got
tough, but since then the market has been
steadily coming back.’
He says high end incentives looking for a
lagoon destination will find nothing else in the
world like French Polynesia. ‘We can offer all
the opportunities, both on and off the water,
that are associated with that.’
Hutchinson’s comments come at a time when
market to) loyal or potentially loyal customers.
As a fairly frequent business traveller I
often rock up to a motel, motor inn or other
independent
accommodation
provider
unannounced. I fill in a form with all my
contact details and when I leave I hand in my
key and often say how much I enjoyed my
stay. (I am not always asked, mind you.)
Then I go away and, guess what,
virtually without fail I never hear from the
establishment again. If one of them emailed
me and said ‘hey we notice you travel through
our town about this time each year – we
would love to see you again and there is a cold
drink waiting in the
fridge with our
compliments, where
would I stay next
time I was in the
area?
Stu Freeman
Editor
Air Tahiti’s fleet of A340-300s is seeing a refit,
involving new seats and added technology.
The carrier has also shifted from a three to two
class airline, dropping first class but increasing
its Poerava business class cabin from 24 to 32
seats. The class now features angled ‘lie flat’
cocoon seats with a 60” seat pitch and two by
two by two configuration.
Economy class features new lightweight
seats, measuring 18” across and an average 32”
pitch, while retaining the two by four by two
seating configuration.
To date three of the airline’s A340-300s have
been reconfigured.
‘This has been a big leap forward in terms of
customer experience, ‘ says Hutchinson.
Meantime, Air Tahiti Nui has announced a
new agreement with Air France to develop a
joint codeshare agreement to better service
the popular Paris to Los Angeles route.
Air Tahiti Nui presently flies four to eight
times a week from Paris to Papeete via Los
Angeles, including one codeshare flight with
Air France.
‘The joint schedules of Air France and Air
Tahiti Nui will provide our customers with
more frequencies between Los Angeles and
Paris, while also linking Air Tahiti Nui to the Air
France network in Europe and expanding Air
Tahiti Nui’s global reach,’ says Etienne Howan,
chairman and chief executive officer of Air
Tahiti Nui.
News
Easy to reach reef
Gabrielle Brown, House of Travel Product; Lonnie
Hammond, Kellys Beach Resort; Krista Brown, Capricorn
Enterprise; Jon Gwin, House of Travel Product
Tracy Waddell, Harvey World
Travel; Amber Rodgers, 1770
LARC! Tours
The Southern Great Barrier Reef is making strides in New Zealand,
with the region recording a 19% increase from this market.
Krista Brown, tourism and marketing
manager for Capricorn Enterprise, says
the key is having three regional tourism
authorities working together to promote a
recognisable brand.
Brown says with such a large number of
New Zealanders visiting the south east corner
of Queensland it makes sense to target the
market.
‘We are a four hour drive from Brisbane, or a
two hour drive from Sunshine Coast to where
the Great Barrier Reef starts in Bundaberg.
People are taking shorter holidays these days
and it’s actually nice and easy to do day trips to
the Great Barrier Reef or they can stay on one
of the islands – Lady Elliot, Great Keppel, Heron
or Wilson.
‘We’ve got some excellent product in
the region.’
Nine representatives from South Great
Barrier Reef visited New Zealand and promoted
their wares to the trade during a function at
Rydges Auckland. About 40 retailers, product
managers and media attended.
Hiking Hawaii
World Expeditions has added to its North American adventure
offering with the launch of a two week hiking trip in Hawaii.
Michelle Carelis
and Russell Williss,
Hawaiian Airlines
with John Willson,
United Travel
World Expeditions CEO Sue Badyari (Sydney)
joined New Zealand general manager Natalie
Tambolash at a launch event for travel agents
and media at Auckland’s Conservatory Bar &
4 travelinc june/july 2013
Sue Badyari and Natalie Tambolash,
World Expeditions with Megan
Hornblow and Darragh Walshe,
Hawaii Tourism Oceania
Restaurant late May.
‘Hiking the Aloha Isles is a soft adventure,
off the beaten track experience taking in the
Big Island, Maui and Kauai,’ says Tambolash.
Extended
benefits
The work put in by the New
Zealand finalists in the Australian
Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA)
and inaugural New Zealand
National Travel Industry Awards
has benefited them in an overall
business sense, according to
feedback received by Travel
Agents’ Association of New
Zealand (TAANZ) chief executive
Andrew Olsen.
‘It is a real eye opener for me to see
how the retail (sector) has approached
being finalists. They all say that it doesn’t
matter who wins, just getting this far has
been significant.
‘As a supplement to that, all of the
finalists are telling us they would like to
do it again, they would like to see TAANZ
running it and they would like to see more
categories – but not too many.’
He says a total of 10 categories
would be, ‘about right’ at this stage but
any final decisions will be subject to
further feedback.
The New Zealand awards will be
presented at an invite only reception
for about 120 to 140 people at SKYCITY
Auckland Convention Centre on July 3.
Olsen says he is delighted with the
support from Air New Zealand and that
events like this depend on support
from suppliers.
Quiet please… judges at work on the travel
awards – Debbie Martindale, Service IQ;
head judge Andrew Drysdale; Lesley Immink,
NZ Tourism Export Council
Highlights include hiking trails within Kauai’s
scenic Na Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon, and
Maui’s lava desert - Haleakala National Park,
plus up close volcanic encounters in Volcanoes
National Park on the Big Island, Hawai’i.
(Finalists can be found at www.travelinc.co.nz)
australia
it marks the 80th anniversary of the original
Merian C Cooper King Kong movie.
The face of King
Kong, now on at
Melbourne’s Regent
Theatre (photograph
by James Morgan)
High tech
By Trish Freeman
Going ape in Melbourne
A small group of Kiwi product managers got an early look at
the latest ‘big thing’ on Melbourne’s entertainment scene earlier
this month. And it doesn’t get much bigger than a six metre tall
King Kong, weighing in at 1.1 tonnes of steel, aluminum, lycra
and latex, roaring across the stage in the title role.
Melbourne’s theatre scene has provided
Kiwis with a reason to travel to the city for
well over a decade and it is expected that
this latest blockbuster will be no exception.
Gabrielle Brown, House of Travel Product, says
because the show is so different, people will
be curious to see it. ‘The makers of King Kong,
Global Creatures, featured on television in
New Zealand recently, and I think this will help
generate interest,’ she says. ‘It is more than a
musical, it is a spectacle.’
Based on the novel of the original 1933
screenplay, the classic tale of beauty and the
beast collides with space age technology as
About to be enthralled by the mighty King Kong are, from
left, Naomi Ferreira, Virgin Australia; Maria Apii, Tourism
Victoria; Jenny Wallis, Infinity; Keryn Ngare, First Travel Group
and Gabrielle Brown, House of Travel Product
It was the technology behind the giant ape
that enthralled the travel wholesalers. ‘Every
time he came on stage, we were fixated on him,’
says Keryn Ngare, First Travel Group.
Filled with 300 metres of electrical cable, 1500
connections and 16 microprocessors, the part
marionette, animatronic and puppet captures
the audience with its realistic, subtle facial
expressions. Delivered by 15 industrial servo
motors (the same ones used in the NASA Mars
rovers) and two hydraulic cylinders, Kong’s face
is controlled in real time by one of three offstage
‘voodoo’ puppeteers who has complete control
over his eyebrows, nose, upper and lower
lips, jaw, corners of the mouth and upper and
lower eyelids.
On top of his core chassis, Kong has a layer of
air-powered muscles that give him a lightweight
body form, over which are a series of sculptured
muscle bags that stretch and contract as Kong
moves. Ten specially trained circus artists
manipulate Kong onstage with impeccable
timing to a thunderous music and light show.
With Virgin Australia being a sponsor of
King Kong, it was appropriate that the airline
sponsored the first groups of travel trade to the
stage show. Naomi Ferreira, Virgin Australia’s
travel industry account manager North Island,
also attended the premiere a week later and
is pleased she saw the show twice. ‘It is such a
spectacle, there is a lot going on and I was able
to enjoy some of the subtleties I missed first
time round.’
A trip to Melbourne would not be complete
without visiting some of the crowd-drawing
exhibitions the city is renowned for. The group
enjoyed Monet’s Garden at the National Gallery
of Victoria - International, and the Hollywood
Costume exhibition at Australian Centre for
the Moving Image (ACMI). ACMI at Federation
Square is Australia’s first centre dedicated solely
to the moving image with interactive exhibition
space of 10,000 square metres spread over
five levels.
Hollywood Costume is direct from the Victoria
and Albert Museum (V&A) in London and
charts more than a century of classic characters
and costumes worn by some of the most
recognisable actors in cinema history from The
Wizard of Oz to Titanic, Ben Hur to James Bond.
The wholesalers were hosted by Tourism
Victoria, Virgin Australia, and Crown Promenade
Hotel. They dined at hip new basement eatery,
The Hunter, located down the stairs at 195 Little
Collins Street. The group also spent a night in
the Yarra Valley, see page 25 for more on Victoria.
travelinc june/july 2013 5
paparazzo
Activity plus
Cruise ships, road shows, functions and random
get-togethers – it’s been all go over the last few
weeks. Our snappy team has been out and about as
much as possible, and here are the results. We also
have a new mystery person to test our readers’ minds.
On that note we can now reveal that the mystery
man in the previous edition was none other than
Richard Dodds, of Rendezvous Grand Hotel Auckland.
Congratulations to Veronica Verdonk, of Westpac,
who identified the gentleman. A bottle of fine wine
from the TRAVELinc cellars is on its way.
Sunshine
with a cuddle
Business event organisers spent
a few days in the Sunshine Coast
experiencing a cross section of
product from the region. The busy
itinerary saw the group cook their
own breakfast, dine with alligators,
try their hand at paddle boarding and
laser clay pigeon shooting, helicopter
over the Glasshouse Mountains and
mingle with the locals at the Noosa
Food & Wine Festival.
Nicky Berriman,
GO Holidays
and Rod Griffith,
Peregrine
Gecko’s checks
in Anne-Marie
Butler and Jayde
Morris from
Harvey World
Travel Botany
Town
Asia Now
wraps up
The Asia Now roadshow completed
its final seminar at Auckland’s
Waipuna Conference Centre. After
visiting Hamilton, Tauranga, Napier,
Palmerston North and Whangarei, the
busy exhibitors still had the energy
to enthuse the 70 travel agents who
attended the Auckland event.
Hayley McIntyre, Williment Travel
Group gets all cuddly with the
koala at Australia Zoo. See more
coverage from this Sunshine Coast
famil on page 18.
We recognise Richard Fletcher, Luxe
Edition; but who is the mystery woman
on the left? If you know send her name
to us at competitions@promag.co.nz
- remember to put the words ‘mystery
person’ in the subject line.
Margy Twigden
and Steph Daji,
Travelsmart
Meadowbank
with Melanie
Nicol, GO
Holidays
(centre)
Latin beats and pisco sour
Adventure World’s South America Fiesta took place at Auckland’s Hopetoun Alpha mid May,
with 11 exhibitors on hand to update the travel industry on what’s hot in the continent.
Lauren Chappell, CWT Auckland and Angela Peters,
Qantas get the lowdown from Katharine Mason,
sales and marketing manager LATAM
6 travelinc june/july 2013
Susie Cassels-Brown, United Travel Remuera;
Javier Echecopar, Akorn Destination Management
and Jenny Kerr, United Travel Remuera
Ola! Santiago Garcia Muniz, Adventure World
South America and Davina Bicker, Adventure
World Auckland in full fiesta mode
paparazzo
Hoteliers
get together
Cathay Pacific - 30 years in NZ
On May 4, 1983 Cathay Pacific’s inaugural
B747-200 aircraft touched down at
Auckland International Airport and at the
aircraft controls was New Zealander Captain
Ian Steven, then senior check captain with
the airline. Cathay Pacific’s longest serving
country manager, (retired 2011) David
Figgins met the plane on its arrival into
Auckland. Captain Steven and David Figgins
were invited to Auckland International
Airport as part of a delegation to welcome
the arrival of CX197 from Hong Kong, again
with another Kiwi Captain, David Haughton
at the controls.
It’s all hands on deck for the Cathay Pacific crew.
Serving up drinks and nibbles are Mark Pirihi,
Jo Beattie, Shaun Muller and Jennifer Lean
Dominic Perret, GM South West Pacific, Cathay
Pacific cut the celebratory cake with Kiwi
captains Ian Steven and David Haughton
Captain Ian Steven, David
Figgins and Captain David
Haughton
CZ celebrates
two years
Wendy Stanton had her name
drawn by Jasmin Song from China
Southern and won a premium
economy return ticket on CZ
Hoteliers and others in the accommodation
sector gathered for the annual New Zealand
Hotel Industry Conference at Pullman
Auckland late May.
Stephen Borcoskie, Brook Serene
Hotel Management; Haley Aperahama,
Horwath HTL Ltd
Jennifer Higgs, Shannon Herrell, both Southern
Hospitality; Jim Moore, Novotel Queenstown
Lakeside; Tony Taylor, Southern Hospitality
Around 80 industry members attended a gala dinner hosted by China Southern Airlines
(CZ) at the Tamaki Yacht Club on Auckland’s waterfront mid April. The first agent annual
meeting preceded the dinner with awards presented to industry members for their
support of China Southern.
China Southern sales manager,
Valerie Wang presents Jeffrey Liu,
Midday Travel and Maggie Wu, A
China Travel with the 2012 Agent
Potential Award
Winners all round for these four recipients of the 2012
Agent Achievement Award. Presenting the awards is vice
president China Southern Airlines, He Zongkai (centre) to
Jason Yu, Worldwide Holidays; Phil Goad, Flight Centre; Rob
Beecher, Stella and Kai Zhu, China Travel Service.
travelinc june/july 2013 7
Human resources
Akshay Singh
Georgina Torrington
Rebecca Easterman,
is general manager – sales, marketing and
reservations with Pacific Resort Hotel Group. He
has a wealth of experience, including more than
five years working at Flight Centre Ltd in key
product and marketing roles.
started as sales and marketing manager with
the Ashburton Licensing Trust on June 10. She
will be responsible for sales and marketing
of Hotel Ashburton, Tinwald Hotel, Braided
Rivers Restaurant, Speights Ale House and The
Somerset Grocer. With Torrington’s move south,
the role of conference and corporate sector
representation for Stay & Play NZ will be looked
after by Sophie Rainford, who has been with Stay
& Play for more than three years.
of PillowMint, is representing destination
management company AlliedPRA in
Australia and New Zealand.
Jacqui Brook
is sales executive for Delta Air Lines at The
Walshe Group. She previously worked on the
Brunei Tourism account.
Captain Craig Harris,
Cruise New Zealand chairperson, has been
awarded the member of the New Zealand Order
of Merit for his services to the cruise industry.
His voluntary work has helped to establish New
Zealand as a cruise ship destination. Harris is also
a former chairman of Conventions and Incentives
New Zealand (CINZ).
Mark Simmons
is vice president sales and marketing Asia Pacific
with Outrigger Enterprises Group. He has 23 years
of experience in hospitality in Asia Pacific and will
be based at the Outrigger regional headquarters
in Phuket, Thailand.
Cathy Gibson
has joined The Walshe Group as sales
executive for Aircalin. She has considerable
industry experience, including a period
with New Caledonia Tourism and as a retail
travel agent.
Jessica (Jess) Lea
is business development manager with
Coconuts Travel Marketing. She will focus
on training and developing opportunities
for Coconuts Travel Marketing Resorts
and Tahiti Tourisme within all sectors in
the Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and
Northland regions. Her most recent previous
role was with House of Travel wholesale
in the weddings and groups department.
She has also worked for Flight Centre
Bombay Beach.
8 travelinc june/july 2013
Shane Michael,
concierge manager at the James Cook Hotel
Grand Chancellor, was named the outstanding
young hotel executive of the year for 2013 at
the Hotel Industry Conference dinner held in
Auckland recently.
David Hogben,
former Troon Golf director of operations for
Australia and the Pacific, is general manager of
golf and sport at RACV Royal Pines, Gold Coast.
industry update
Sowing seeds of growth
Judy Calder
Karen
Baldwin
Agricultural inbound specialist company Agri-Travel
New Zealand has been acquired by New Zealand
conference and event specialist ForumPoint2 Limited.
Both companies have operated for more than
20 years and combined they will provide extensive
knowledge and experience to cover all bases for
organisations requiring conferencing, including
pre and post tours and partner programmes.
ForumPoint2 managing director Sally Bary says
the move allows the company to offer customers
a much broader range of services.
Judy (Court) Calder remains in the role of group
tours director, while Karen Baldwin has been
‘China ready’? Time to act
New Zealand’s tourism
industry has spent long
enough talking about
emerging markets such as
China, and now needs to be
executing the opportunities,
according to ANZ chief
economist Cameron Bagrie.
‘The broad tenants of the opportunities
with Asian tourists are understood,’ Bagrie told
delegates at the Asia Summit in April. ‘There’s
been talk about the opportunties for four or five
years now, the story is pretty well sung. Now the
debate needs to shift to execution.’
Bagrie says it is important to unlock a more
consumer centric society.
‘We know that China has too much money – if
we had that problem in New Zealand we’d fix it
in a fortnight,’ he quipped.
‘Free trade agreements are facilitiating
growth, that’s certainly the route New Zealand
is going down.’
Bagrie says on the tourism playing field, New
Zealand suits the ‘boutique market’.
‘We need to ask whether we are going to be a
volume player, or a boutique player, and I think
New Zealand needs to get into a couple of key
markets and do it well.’
Trevor Lee, director of TravConsult, specialises
in training businesses in better understanding
the tourism markets of China, India, Japan,
Korea and other regions in South East Asia.
He believes successful adaptation to reach
these markets needs to come from tourism
operators locally, and not sourcing Asian staff to
bridge the culture gap.
‘The tourism industry is making a massive
risk by hiring Chinese people to the job
you’re supposed to be doing,’ he told the Asia
Summit delegates.
‘Don’t hire someone from Hong Kong like
every other country seems to be doing. Develop
the staff – give them the necessary cultural
background on the Chinese guest or visitor, then
they’ll get it, and the barrier will be broken.’
Lee also warns that New Zealand tourism
businesses need to genuinely like the Chinese
customers they deal with.
‘They are very savvy about whether or not
you’re just after their dollar.’
recruited as group tours manager.
The purchase follows close collaboration
between the two companies, successfully
bringing large agricultural conference groups to
New Zealand over the past five years.
Agri-Travel New Zealand specialises in
agricultural and horticultural tours and is
a member of Agricultural Tour Operators
International (ATOI), Qualmark and NZ Tourism
Export Council.
Europcar has added the BMW
3 Series to its portfolio
BMW 3 for rent
Europcar has become the first
vehicle rental company in New
Zealand to add a fleet of BMW 3
Series to its model portfolio. Europcar
New
Zealand
general
manager, Steve Whyte, says the company
is committed to offering new vehicles
with high ratings in both environmental
sustainability and safety. ‘The new BMW
3 Series is an exciting addition to the
Europcar fleet and will be available for
rental in the North Island and South Island.’
Win with Maui Jim
Maui Jim has offered TRAVELinc magazine a number of spectacular sunglasses to give
away. One pair will be given to a lucky reader of this issue. To be in with a chance to win,
just send an email to competitions@promag.co.nz with Maui Jim in the subject line.
You will also need to answer the following question:
What destination is featured on the front cover of this issue of TRAVELinc?
travelinc june/july 2013 9
new caledonia
New brands,
more value
New Caledonia’s tourism industry believes one of its
biggest barriers, a perception of expense, can finally
be put to rest. During a recent visit to New Zealand,
Jean-Michel Foutrein, Noumea based manager of New
Caledonia Tourism, told travel agents that whenever he
came to this country he applied the ‘cost of a beer’ test.
At the session for professional incentive and conference organisers
to catch up with New Caledonia tourism operators are Winnie
Fong, GO Conference & Incentive; Carl Amos, Starwood Hotels &
Resorts Worldwide; Sally Pepermans, Le Meridien Noumea; Lani
Walker and Suzanne Hardie, GO Conference & Incentive
10 travelinc june/july 2013
Heading out for a fun
dive in Lifou, one of the
Loyalty Islands
‘I have been visiting New Zealand for 30 years
and it is true that in the past New Caledonia had
been more expensive. But now a beer in a bar in
New Caledonia costs the same, if not less than a
beer in an Auckland bar.’
He says food and beverage, transport and other
key factors that make up a visitor’s experience are
now easily the same cost or less than in Australia,
New Zealand and other parts of the Pacific.
‘There are two main reasons for this. One is the
favourable exchange rate, as the Pacific franc is
pegged to the euro,’ says Foutrein. ‘The other is
that the cost of living in New Zealand has risen
(more than in New Caledonia).’
Simon Duffy, manager New Zealand for New
Caledonia Tourism, continues the theme. He says
Noumea was rightly deemed expensive many
years ago, when people would stay at what was
Club Med. ‘They would walk out of the complex
and find that a coffee in Noumea was five dollars
when it was one dollar in New Zealand. That’s
no longer the case, but it’s much easier to gain a
reputation than to lose it.’
New Caledonia’s other big message to New
Zealand is the addition of internationally
recognised brands, Hilton (this year) and Sheraton
(next year). At the same time, there is more on
offer outside Noumea and the Southern Province
New Caledonia. New Meeting Place.
An exotic short haul destination, where the French Riviera meets the South Pacific, is
less than 3 hours direct flying time from Auckland. New Caledonia is the perfect choice
for your next conference or incentive trip. With top quality accommodation, excellent
meeting facilities and an extensive range of activities on both the mainland and the
islands ... it really is hard to beat. Choosing Aircalin means that you will have the true
New Caledonia experience from start to finish. For more information call (09) 977 2238.
www.aircalin.com
new caledonia
Theme setting by Transat
The bar at Chateau Royal is the
perfect place to hang out
– in the north and in the Loyalty Islands.
Arc en Ciel
Arc en Ciel Voyages is promoting a fresh look
and new opportunities. Barbara Lambert, who
started as deputy manager, handling sales, late
May says the company has been used mainly
for airport transfers by the New Zealand market
in the past. ‘But we can do much more than that.
We have a fleet of vehicles to transfer VIPs, large
groups or anything in between.’
She says Arc en Ciel has been working for more
than 40 years in New Caledonia. ‘That means we
have partnerships with so many suppliers in New
Caledonia, even in remote islands.’
She says working with independent travellers
has spin-offs for incentives and groups as well.
‘There are many things to do, but they are not
always easy to organise (from New Zealand).
If you really want to do something different,
you need a destination management company
Visitors to New Caledonia
can easily experience
Melanesian culture
12 travelinc june/july 2013
(DMC). We help overcome any language barrier
and can contact the right people.’
Lambert says Arc en Ciel has had a change in
shareholding recently, with Tahiti Nui Travel now
involved in a significant way. Also, new manager
Pascale Desrumaux started late last year.
Hilton on way
Hilton will make its entry into New Caledonia
on November 1, taking over management of
what will then be Hilton Noumea La Promenade
Residences. The change is the result of a recently
signed franchise agreement with GLP Hotels.
Julie Cassin, marketing manager with GLP, says
the move will build awareness among the millions
of Hilton Honors members and is likely to increase
groups and incentive business due to Hilton’s
huge sales network.
The hotel has remained open during a
progressive room upgrade and the lobby is being
new caledonia
Barbara Lambert, Arc en
Ciel; Simon Duffy, Nouvelle
Caledonie Tourisme; Lesley
Aldridge, Chimaera Group
& Sales Incentive Travel at
the New Caledonia event in
Auckland last month
Polynesian art meets French flair in
the lobby at Chateau Royal
changed with more modern décor.
A wedding chapel has been added to the
hotel this month and Cassin says that along with
wedding celebrations the venue will lend itself to
private dinners and small corporate escapes.
GLP continues to promote l’Escapade Island,
which Cassin says is ‘probably the closest over
water accommodation to New Zealand.’ She says
counting flights, airport to Noumea transfers
and boat transport, the trip to the overwater
bungalows takes about five hours.
‘The island is ideal for incentives, either
overnight or just for the day. We have our
own transfer vessel so there is no need for
another flight – or special clients can take a
helicopter transfer.’
The Nouvata Parc complex, managed by GLP,
is having ongoing refurbishment – with the
swimming pool currently receiving an upgrade.
The complex has a new conference room, which
opened in March.
Cassin says GLP is also starting to work more
closely with the Loyalty Islands. ‘There is a
new tourism agency, Loyalty Tours, and we are
working with them. At this stage it is more for
FIT (independent) travellers, but it could apply to
groups as well.’
She says GLP is working with Paradis d’Ouvea
and Drehu Village Hotel in Lifou.
La pirogue
L’escale
Venez découvrir le Complexe Château Royal
Come to discover the Complexe Château Royal
Le Deck
Le Taom
Le Spa Aquatonic
W class
Angela Hallett, of Aircalin, says the airline has
made it easier for agents to sell New Caledonia as
an inclusive destination, with its W class fare.
‘All they have to do is book W class in their CRS,
then contact their South Pacific wholesaler who
will give them the quote for the ground elements
and package the ground and air together.
‘It is effectively a discounted level year round,
with guaranteed inventory.’
She says it is selling ‘reasonably well’ but it is
Hôtel
Restaurants
Salon de Thé
Café Concert
Spa Aquatonic
140, Promenade Roger Laroque - Nouméa - Nouvelle-Calédonie
Tél. (687) 29 64 00 - E-mail : resa@chateau-royal.nc
www.complexechateauroyal.nc
travelinc june/july 2013 13
new caledonia
now time to give the fare some added impetus.
With that in mind, the airline has removed
the 21 day advance purchase rule from the fare.
This means agents can now capitalise on late
bookings, particularly as New Zealand settles
into winter.
‘They are guaranteed to find W class in their
CRS all year, whether their clients want to book
for next week or next year.’
‘We are also reinforcing that we have four
services a week and that we are full service. If
clients purchase the (codeshare) Air New Zealand
operated service they get the works.’
The Aircalin operated flights offer business
class on the A330 and A320.
‘The Aircalin operated services are the best if
agents have clients connecting from Wellington
or Christchurch.’
Any clients who book and ticket for SB415
(packages or air only) Auckland to Noumea
departing on a Tuesday or Saturday morning will
be shouted an overnight stay on the Monday
or Friday before at the Sudima Hotel Auckland
Airport. The travel period is from now until
December 28 this year.
New Sheraton
The major news from Starwood, which
currently offers Le Meridien Noumea and Le
Meridien Isle of Pines, is that the 180 key Sheraton
New Caledonia Deva Resort & Spa will open in
March 2014.
Close to the city of Bourail, the resort is
set on Deva Domaine – 8000 hectares of
unspoilt nature.
‘We will be a destination in our own right
and we’ll be developing excursions, day trips
and activities,’ says Sally Pepermans, senior
sales manager.
She says the resort is on a secluded
white sandy beach, with diving and
Flavour of France…
wine and cuisine are
major attractions in
Noumea and beyond
14 travelinc june/july 2013
During the New
Caledonia presentation
for retail travel agents…
Shannon Smith, Flight
Centre Darby Street;
Karen Nieuwenhof, Flight
Centre Royal Oak
Philippe Claverotte
snorkelling available.
‘People can also swim with dugons near
the resort.’
Transat Suzanne Kenyon, of Transat Tours, says the
destination management company will be
working with a number of New Zealand groups
this year.
‘We have several programmes in place. Kiwis
love Duck Island as a dinner venue or a day
excursion, with lots of different water activities.
However, we have a number of other options.’
Kenyon says a group fo 60 recently visited
Noumea over a weekend and had a ‘fun French
military stop’ with actors on arrival. Eating snails
and frog legs was part of the activity.
The group registered at Le Meridien beachfront
and then took part in beach activities with jet skis,
helicopters, stand up paddle boarding, tubing,
canoes and volleyball. Dinner was also on the
beach, with a children’s choir, crab race and more.
The second day included business sessions,
with fun intervals before the group went on
an amazing race with ‘segway wobbly waiters’,
petanque, photo challenge, hobie cat challenge,
archery, then blind tasting and tapas, drinks and
awards at a private ‘on the water’ pub. Dinner was
at 1881 restaurant with a casino night, cabaret
and a Bugsy Malone theme.
On the third day, the group visited Amadee
Lighthouse and enjoyed massages, a Polynesian
show, tropical lunch buffet, glass bottom boats,
and joy rides over the reef. The afternoon
included a karting competition, while dinner was
on a fantasy island and involved body painting, a
DJ and a fire show.
Chateau Royal
Back to its roots and right into business is
how new general manager Philippe Claverotte
describes Chateau Royale Beach Resort and Spa
in Anse Vata. Previously known as Royal Tera
Beach Resort & Spa and before that a Club Med,
the hotel has two new restaurants, a relaunched
website (both in French and English) and a fresh
management approach.
Claverotte arrived in New Caledonia last year,
after four years in French Polynesia as the general
manager of Sofitel Marara Beach Resort and Spa
and Sofitel Motu Private island. He has 20 years
of international experience in the hotel and
resort industry.
The beachfront complex features 108 spacious
and well-equipped modern suites, innovative
dining options (La Pirogue, L’escale, Le Taom and
Le Deck) and lounge bars (including Le Warai).
‘We have a Spa Aqua tonic and pool set
in tropical gardens with amazing sunsets,’
says Claverotte.
In terms of restaurants, La Pirogue has a garden
setting, and is ideal for an intimate meeting
or private dinner. Dishes here have a Pacific
influence, and La Pirogue’s head pastry chef
is famous for his desserts. It is open for lunch
and dinner.
L’Escale is suitable for casual dining, featuring
salads, club sandwiches and burgers. It has a
gourmet menu and a snack menu.
Le Taom is the main hotel restaurant, providing
a mixture of cultures and exploring various
culinary arts. It is open for breakfast, lunch
and dinner.
australia
Applause for ATE
The Australian Tourism
Exchange (ATE 13) and its host
city of Sydney have received
enthusiastic reviews from New
Zealand product managers
attending the event.
Jenny Wallis, of Infinity, says it
was fantastic to catch up with
existing suppliers and build up
relationships.
‘It was interesting to see how our suppliers
are doing and most of them are doing well
in business.’
She says Ultimately Sydney was one company
that stood out for her. ‘I had an appointment
with them and then they were involved with
Kiwi Night Out so I could see them in action.’
She says the destination really turned it on.
‘The Tuesday night function with Sneaky Sound
System was fantastic and it was great to get an
update on Vivid during one of the lunches.
‘I also enjoyed the east and west (buyers)
being combined. I wasn’t sure how it would go
but it made for a really positive atmosphere.’
Wallis says she is looking forward to having
ATE in Cairns next year. ‘It will be nice to see it in
a tropical environment.’
Gabrielle Brown, House of Travel, says she
enjoyed catching up with representatives from
regional tourism offices (RTOs) at the event. ‘It
was helpful to get their product knowledge for
places I haven’t been, as well as their insights
and suggested itineraries.’
She was also impressed with the social
occasions, including the South Australian dinner
on the penultimate night and the New South
Wales welcome with fireworks and Sneaky
Sound System.
In terms of specific product, Brown mainly met
with people HOT already works with. ‘I enjoyed
finding out what was new with them.’
Mondo’s Gordon Bayne says Sydney
absolutely showcased ATE as an event and
also celebrated its status as an international
city. ‘Sydney has a plethora of new suppliers
and operators doing some cool things, like
the walking tours and Ultimately Sydney
incorporating history and food.’
Super heroes line up at ATE 2013
– Wonder Woman; Wayne Deed,
Destination New South Wales; Adele
Barker, Air New Zealand; and Flash
He describes the latter as a ‘must book’ for
Sydney customers.
A highlight for Bayne was the Destination
New South Wales showcasing of a ‘celebrity style
booth’ at the PASHA nightclub. ‘It was a real ‘Kim
Kardashian’ celebrity experience and a must
visit for those customers wanting to have a full
on night club experience. The entertainment is
like Cirque de Soleil meets burlesque, with a DJ
to rock the night away. It would be perfect for a
girls’ weekend away.’
Bayne used ATE 13 to catch up with South
Australian suppliers as well. ‘This remains a
leading state in Australia for us.’
Accor is sure Cairns will be able
to handle next year’s Australian
Tourism Exchange (ATE 14), and
the root of that confidence lies in
the South Island of New Zealand.
Cairns can,
says Accor
Guess where ATE is
going next year….
The Queensland
crew get enthusiastic
about the exchange
heading to Cairns
‘Accor has been advocating Cairns for a long
time, but everyone has been saying it couldn’t
be done in secondary cities,’ says a spokesperson
with Accor Hotels.
‘By hosting TRENZ (Tourism Rendezvous New
Zealand) for two years, Queenstown proved
not only that it can be done but that holding it
in a destination where tourism is central to the
economy has great benefits.
‘Everyone was slightly dubious about
Queenstown’s ability and they had to make
some changes to the format, but it actually went
really well.’
travelinc june/july 2013 15
australia
Repeat that,
please
in 2014.
‘Another key event for us is the inaugural
Australian Garden Show in Sydney from
September 5 to 8 this year,’ says Deed. ‘We see
opportunities out of New Zealand as anything to
do with gardens is popular with Kiwis.’
He says the show will have an emphasis on
design. ‘There will be a raft of themed gardens at
Centennial Park and garden design experts from
around the world doing a lecture series.’
Garden to plate
Chiswick House
With about 90% of Kiwi travellers to Sydney and New South
Wales being repeat visitors, the key to keeping the market
ticking over is providing new reasons to visit.
Wayne Deed, regional manager - New Zealand
with Destination New South Wales, says events,
new attractions and dispersal beyond Sydney
are all part of the effort.
‘Destination New South Wales has a strategy
around new and exciting events to drive all
markets, but I see them as particularly important
for New Zealand,’ says Deed.
He points to The Bledisloe Cup Festival as an
opportunity for the destination. The festival will
be held in the lead up to the Bledisloe Cup rugby
clash at ANZ Stadium on August 17. Rugby
memorabilia will be on display at the Australian
Museum, the Australian Wine Museum will have
a ‘taste off’ between Kiwi and Aussie wines and
there will be a gala dinner and a ladies lunch,
as well as a golf tournament between former
Wallabies and All Blacks.
‘This is an emerging event and I expect it
to really grow in the future. It achieves a few
objectives for us, because it will not only boost
visitation but also increase the duration of stay
and the spend.’
Still on rugby, Deed says the Lions Tour of
Australia has generated interest in New Zealand
and ‘sold reasonably well.’
Key cultural and artistic events include Vivid
late May and early December and the Handa
Opera on the Harbour in March – both of which
are expected to sell well out of New Zealand
Must be a full moon
A new three day tour in outback New South
Wales focuses on the eerie beauty of Mungo
National Park’s sacred, crescent-shaped dunes.
Mungo National Park, best
seen under a full moon
16 travelinc june/july 2013
The words ‘organic’ and ‘fresh’ take on a new
meaning at Sydney’s kitchen-garden restaurants,
which serve the vegetables, herbs and even
the eggs that come from right outside the
kitchen door. Chiswick is a conservatory-style
restaurant set in a heritage garden in Woollahra,
where the huge vegetable garden underpins a
Mediterranean-style menu strong on flavour.
In the emerging food zone of Alexandria,
The Grounds is a sprawling cafe inside a
former pie factory with half an acre of welltended kitchen gardens, including a chicken
run and a wood-fired oven that turns out
Mediterranean flat breads and pizzas. In the
well-polished confines of the Four Seasons
Hotel on the edge of Circular Quay, the Woods
is an adventurous new restaurant with rising
Australian chef Hamish Ingham at the helm. His
creative menu centres around the use of fresh,
quality produce cooked over naturally flavoured
Australian woods in a central oven and grill. At
Kurrajong Heights, just across Hawkesbury
River from Sydney, Lochiel House is a rustic
cottage restaurant with a French-inspired
menu that makes excellent use of fresh, local,
seasonal produce.
Presented by Harry Nanya Tours and NSW
National Parks and Wildlife Service, the
tour is led by a local Aboriginal guide and
concentrates on the landscapes of Willandra
Lakes and Mungo National Park – known for
its longest continuous record of indigenous
life in Australia.
The tour also incorporates the historic town
of Wentworth, meeting place of Australia’s
two longest rivers – the Darling and Murray.
Also visited are Mildura and Lake Victoria.
Tours run once a month during the full moon
and upcoming dates are July 22 – 24, August
20 – 22, September 18 – 20 and October
18 – 20. The package is priced at $1250 and
includes three days of hosted touring, meals,
accommodation for two nights, and local pick
up and drop off. (Transportation to and from
outback NSW not included.)
Escape the winter chill
Take your incentive direct to the Sunshine Coast
Boasting an average daytime temperature of
20 degrees Celsius during winter months, the
Sunshine Coast offers a warm haven with copious
incentive offerings to reward top achievers.
Thanks to Air New Zealand and alliance partner,
Virgin Australia, it’s easy to escape New Zealand’s
winter chill for a tropical paradise. Operating
seasonal direct flights from Auckland, the airlines
are reducing travel time with easy access to the
Sunshine Coast between June and October.
True to its name, this sunny stretch of
coastline offers modern accommodation and
infrastructure, which is often integrated into
world-class resorts. Its urban hub is surrounded
by an outstanding natural environment of
beaches, secluded coves, lush rainforest and
tropical islands.
The area is perfect for exploration further afield.
Nestled in the Sunshine Coast’s paradise surrounds
is a bounty of incentive offerings that will add the
wow factor to your next event program.
A taste of the good life
Tucked away in the lush, leafy green hinterland,
just a 25-minute drive west from Sunshine Coast
Airport, is Freestyle Escape. Boasting luxury
accommodation and tailored team building
programs, the property can satisfy single or
multi-day stays. Team building activities range
from relaxing spa treatments to creative art
classes and challenging boot camp programs.
But perhaps the real ‘wow factor’ is found in the
outdoor cooking classes, designed by owner and
Brisbane-based chef, Martin Duncan. Groups can
pick their own fruit for homemade jams, explore
bread baking with an artisan bread maker, make
divine Buffalo cheese the old fashioned way,
or pick herbs to season wood fired pizzas to be
enjoyed with fine Australian wine.
Rainforest discovery
Bundle the team into a four-wheel drive and
travel an hour-and-a-half from Sunshine Coast
Airport to explore the dense canopies of
Conondale National Park. Here, with Off Beat
Eco Tours, the group can explore one of the most
ancient rainforests in the world (where some
plants pre-date the age of the dinosaurs), swim
under a waterfall that’s been flowing for millions
of years, and discover native wildlife. Amidst this
secluded setting, where delicate orchids meet
staggering giant fig trees, a gourmet meal at a
beautifully dressed table will be served. Treat your
top achievers with fresh prawns, local cheeses,
tropical fruits and yearling steak, accompanied by
chilled Australian wine and beer in a setting that
will be remembered for a lifetime.
Tropical paradise
Charter a plane with Air Fraser Island and fly
your group over the picturesque coastline to
discover the world’s largest sand island. Landing
on Fraser Island’s 75-mile beach, the team
will step on to a red carpet, greeted by suited
porters and a fleet of hummers to continue
the adventure in style. The island’s traditional
Visit
businesseVents.australia.com
for eVerything you need to plan your australian eVent.
name, ‘K’Gari’, appropriately means ‘paradise’.
It immediately lives up to its name and will
continue to impress as the group discovers its
majestic rainforest, fresh water lakes, crystalclear creeks, silica sands and native wildlife.
Attendees will be kept refreshed on the Fraser
Experience Tour with a gourmet picnic and an
elegant afternoon tea of sparkling Australian
wine, strawberries and chocolate truffles.
A peaceful escape
Easily accessible from cosmopolitan Noosa,
in the north of the Sunshine Coast, is Richard
Branson’s Make Peace Island. This remarkable
place offers a unique fusion of luxury, nature
and authentic Balinese design. It is an idyllic
location to hold a final dinner on the closing
night of your event program. Start with cocktails
as the team journeys by boat to the island,
and continue with a tantalising tailored menu
enjoyed in a spot overlooking the spectacular
lagoon pool and riverfront. The group may
choose to stay on the island to enjoy the
facilities (which include a tennis court, spa and
outdoor cinema) and activities (sail Hobie Cats
around the 25-acre island, catch Australian fish
or cruise along the river). Alternatively, return to
Noosa and enjoy the comfort of Outrigger Little
Hastings Street Resort and Spa, offering views of
the surrounding national park.
Visit businessevents.australia.com to learn more
about the Sunshine Coast and start planning
your next event now.
Australia
By Ruth Scott
Introducing the destination
and experiencing the world
class facilities available on
the Sunshine Coast was
the objective of a Business
Events Australia famil to the
region recently.
A group of professional conference organisers
(PCOs) sampled a little of what there is to do
in the coastal towns of Caloundra, Mooloolaba
and Noosa as well as dining at Makepeace
Island, Sir Richard Branson’s coastal residence
before heading inland to Yandina and Spicers
Clovelly Estate.
Arriving by helicopter to Tamarind Retreat & Spa
with McDermott Aviation is Andrew Malcolm,
Extra Mile Company; Hayley McIntyre, Williment
Travel Group; Suz Baker, Eventionz and Frances
Boortman, Driving Force Incentives
18 travelinc june/july 2013
Up close in the
Sunshine Coast
Barefoot on the sand
This was the first year a Seafood Feast on the
Beach has appeared on the Noosa Food and
Wine festival’s calendar and the sell-out sand
restaurant could return again next year. The food
and wine match lunch in a marquee set up on
Noosa Beach attracted over 150 diners and the
dress code was casual, with shoes removed to go
barefoot in the sand. Four chefs, including New
Zealander Martin Bosley, prepared a five course
feast onsite, consisting of barbecue Shark Bay
prawns, Lakes Entrance fish soup with chickpeas
and saffron aioli and barbecue glacier toothfish
– caught about 3,500km northwest of Perth.
The annual Food and Wine festival, now in
its 10th year, has grown into an internationally
recognised event. This year the four day event
SUP – Stand Up Paddle takes the team through the
drill before taking off down the river. Instructor
James Howard-Clark; Jade Taylor, Dinamics;
Andrew Malcolm, Extra Mile Company; Frances
Boortman, Driving Force Incentives; Ruth Scott,
TRAVELinc; Amanda Hall, Business Events
Australia; Lauran Hofman, BESC on boards with
Donalee Halkett, SUP and Hayley McIntyre,
Williment Travel Group up to their knees
was promoted in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane,
Auckland and Singapore and Lauran Hofman,
manager Business Events Sunshine Coast (BESC)
says next year the promotion will hopefully
move to other international cities. ‘The festival
showcases local, New Zealand and international,
hence the widespread publicity,’ says Hofman.
This was the second time BESC has worked in
collaboration with the organisers in promoting
the festival and the Noosa region to the groups
and incentive market. ‘Allowing the beach lunch
is the first event of this size in a public space. We
hope this will set a precedent for more events to
be able to utilise public outdoor spaces.’
Hofman adds that the Sunshine Coast has a
great mix of product for the incentive market.
‘Leverage can be gained to attract groups and
incentives by utilising existing events. It is a
great way to enhance a programme with very
little cost and for a second time visitor, the vibe
around attending an event can be so different
than coming over as an FIT.’
The PCO group stayed at Outrigger Little
Hastings Street, an easy downhill walk into
Noosa and the festival activities. The property
offers luxury apartments, a heated swimming
pool, day spa, gym and restaurant as well as
three conference rooms that can be combined
to accommodate up to 500 delegates.
Dates for the 2014 Noosa Food and Wine
australia
Ready steady, cook… Cat Lowe, BESC; Jade Taylor,
Dinamics; Suz Baker, Eventionz; Lauran Hofman,
BESC; Frances Boortman, Driving Force Incentives;
Hayley McIntyre, Williment Travel Group; Amanda
Hall, Business Events Australia and Andrew
Malcolm, Extra Mile Company are all go at the
Cheeky Food Group cooking party on a room
balcony at the Rumba Beach Resort, Caloundra
Festival are May 15 to 18.
Animal instinct
Conference and incentive groups can be
catered for within the grounds of Australia Zoo.
The privately owned zoo is spread over 100 acres
and any of the grassed areas can be utilised for
events, with marquees able to be erected for
individual theming.
A popular activity for groups is the animal
encounters. Top of the line are the tiger and
cheetah walk; pat a komodo dragon; behind
the scenes tours and a hands on private animal
experience. The famil group took part in the latter
with a Burmese python, a wombat, koala, macaw
and alligator as ‘guests’ at a private morning tea.
Cheeky chefs
Leona Watson, owner of the Cheeky Food
Group, invited the Kiwis to cook their own
breakfast. Catering for nine was a walk in
the park for Watson, as her team of chefs are
accustomed to running cooking classes for up
to 700. ‘We have turned convention centres,
hotel ballrooms and accommodation rooms
into cooking schools in Australia, New Zealand
and Fiji.’
A lunchtime cruise around the canals and
waterways of Mooloolaba onboard the Crusader
1, a charter vessel catering to fishing groups and
corporates and incentives, was a relaxing way to
spend the afternoon. Local catering company,
Elliot’s Fine Food catered an antipasto platter
with fresh seafood topped off with handmade
macaroons and crème brule.
Andrew Malcolm, Extra Mile Company, says
he would be interested in using the Fish & Crab
charter for a boy’s fishing day for an incentive
group and was impressed with the smooth
execution of the new operation.
Spice it up
Spicers’ two luxury retreats on the Sunshine
Coast, Spicers Tamarind Retreat & Spa and
Spicers Clovelly Estate are within a 10 minute
drive from each other and the luxury lodges
provide premium retreat experiences for the
leisure and incentive client.
The famil group spent time at Spicers Clovelly
Estate including dining at the chef’s table at
Long Apron Restaurant. The property is set on
24 acres of private land and guests can follow a
marked path into the rainforest, cycle on one of
the nine mountain bikes into Montville or enjoy
a spa treatment at Spa Anise.
Makepeace Island
Just a 10 minute boat ride from Noosa
wharf, Sir Richard Branson’s coastal residence
Makepeace Island is a private hideaway
available for exclusive use for two to 20 guests
or as an offsite function venue for up to 100.
All the buildings on the island were designed
All toasty around the brazier at Makepeace Island are
Hayley McIntyre, Williment Travel Group; Jade Taylor,
Dinamics; Andrew Malcolm, Extra Mile Company and
Frances Boortman, Driving Force Incentives
and constructed in Bali and shipped across,
and the interior is furnished with antiques,
sculptures and original pieces acquired
throughout Indonesia.
Sole use requires a minimum three-night
stay, but offsite dinners can be arranged with
guests transported by launch or barge and
meals prepared by the resident chef.
Refurb at Noosa
Sheraton Noosa Resort & Spa has almost
completed a multi-million dollar refurbishment
of all the accommodation rooms and public
areas, including new carpet, a crisp colour
scheme and a new restaurant area. All rooms,
suites and penthouses are receiving new tiled
bathrooms, LCD flat screen TVs, signature
Sheraton Sweet Sleeper™ beds, and a series of
new artwork. The resort has also introduced
wireless internet throughout its grounds.
The property has large 55 square metre
rooms and for price point, the only difference
is with the view. The top floor overlooks the
beach, while the other two categories offer
canal or pool view. Cato’s Restaurant & Bar
has been renamed Noosa Beach House Peter
Kuruvita with a redesign enhancing its street
frontage. The resort’s conference space has also
been refreshed with the new colours.
Cheers from Hayley McIntyre,
Williment Travel Group;
Frances Boortman, Driving
Force Incentives and Suz Baker,
Eventionz as they venture into
the Noosa Food and Wine Festival
travelinc june/july 2013 19
asia
Engaging, training and
promoting dispersal
Creating and increasing demand on the consumer side
by engaging in social networks, and training the trade
through online modules and familiarisation tours are
key aims of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
Numfhon Boonyawat, director Australia and
New Zealand with TAT, says the destination is
keen to promote new activities and attractions,
and encourage New Zealand travellers to explore
beyond the most familiar cities and resorts.
‘We would like people to stay longer and
Phanom Kaributra
Tourism Authority Thailand
20 travelinc june/july 2013
explore more, so we are creating programmes
like Bangkok and beyond, Phuket and beyond,
and Chiang Mai and beyond.’
Boonyawat says the authority realises it can’t
just expect the trade to sell new areas if the
demand is not there.
Numfhon Boonyawat
Tourism Authority Thailand
Spreading out… getting Kiwis to experience
more adventure tourism is one of the aims of
the Tourism Authority of Thailand
‘By combining some of the lesser known areas
with a major destination it makes it easier for
people to start their holiday. They go to Phuket
because they are condfident that they will enjoy
it, and then they can discover something new.’
She says social networks will be a major part
of the consumer thrust in the future. ‘We have to
keep Thailand top of mind. If we get information
to the consumer, we can then educate the trade
and help them to sell the destination. It’s a
parallel effort.’
Phanom Kaributra, executive director South
Asia and South Pacific with Tourism Authority
of Thailand, says there is potential to work with
the private sector through trade and media trips.
He too sees a need to spread visitors around
the country as well as to grow the total visitor
numbers.’ (Last year 120,000 New Zealanders
visited Thailand.)
‘First time visitors tend to go to Bangkok or
Phuket. With repeaters we try to get them to new
destinations. New Zealanders and Australians
are more adventurous travellers so they enjoy
our activities, culture and food.’
Helping travellers to get beyond the familiar
is Bangkok Airways, which is adding new
routes. Sales director Chulin Kocharoen says
the Bangkok to Krabi flight started on April 2
(adding to already existing Koh Samui to Krabi
services) and Bangkok to Mandalay (in Myanmar
/ Burma) will be a five times a week service from
Breathtaking, challenging, awe-inspiring, amazing.
There are parts of Thailand that haven’t changed in thousands of years. What is truly amazing is being
able to explore such beautiful places without affecting the environment. Whether it’s treks through
mountainous hilltribe villages or trips through mangrove forests, you will be truly amazed at
our diverse landscape. Whether you are planning the trip of a lifetime or you are a regular
visitor to Thailand, one thing that’s certain is you will always be amazed.
Tourism Authority of Thailand, 137 Sunnybrae Rd, Glenfield, Auckland, New Zealand 0627, +64 9 444 2298
www.tourismthailand.org
asia
Spa and wellness – a side of
Thailand being promoted in
New Zealand
Chulin Kocharoen
Bangkok Airways
Sarah Bedford, Hayley Willis, Samantha
McQueen, all STA Travel at the
Thailand Roadshow, SKYCITY Auckland
Convention Centre recently
September 15.
Kocharoen says New Zealand is a small but
important market for the airline, with Kiwis
utilising the Singapore – Koh Samui and Kuala
Lumpur – Koh Samui services as well as flights
originating from Bangkok.
‘We are a full service carrier, serving light
snacks, tea and coffee on every flight and
we have a lounge for every passenger, plus a
separate business class lounge.’
Kocharoen is another who encourages people
to get beyond Phuket.
‘Phuket is great, but there is much more to
offer in Thailand and it is easy to reach.’
He says Bangkok Airways is not just a domestic
airline. ‘For example we fly Bangkok – Mumbai,
Hong Kong – Samui and Bangkok – Dakka.
Medical tourism
Kaributra says medical tourism is a niche,
but growing, market. ‘Last year we had an expo
relating to medical tourism and spas and we
invited people from all over the world to meet
experts from hospitals, beauty salons etc. We are
becoming well known to that market.’
Numfhon Boonyawat, says people should
regard Thailand as another choice. ‘We’re not
competing with treatment in New Zealand, but
we are another alternative for some people.’
Active Asia gets
off beaten track
The new Magical Thailand brochure released by Active
Asia has an emphasis on getting off the beaten track.
Product manager Lance Mould says
there is also a focus on cycling in the
destination, including a highlighted four
day Cycling Central Thailand itinerary.
‘We’re getting away from pages and pages
of hotels in Phuket and Koh Samui. We have
got all that in the system if people want it,
22 travelinc june/july 2013
but this is really about different experiences.’
A highlight is Elephant Hills Jungle Safari.
Thailand’s first luxury tented jungle camp
combines the camp idea of African national
parks with the Thai tropical forest environment.
It is located on the edge of Khao Sok National
Park – the largest area of rainforest in
southern Thailand.
The 30 luxurious tents at the camp are
tailor made and feature comfortable beds
and ensuite bathrooms. (See TRAVELinc
February March issue)
Mould says hill tribe treks in northern
Thailand (from Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai)
remain popular.
arabian travel market
Kiwis ready for a
day of business at
the Arabian Travel
Market – Kathie
Magon, Infinity;
Greg Osborne,
Cox & Kings; Kim
Houston, World
Journeys
Loyalty with
personality
Honours
Loyalty programmes are increasingly moving towards
personalising and customising reward experiences, rather than
relying on straightforward ‘points for rooms’ type redemptions,
according to a panel at the Arabian Travel Market.
Ayman Al Deik, group director brand loyalty
with Jumeirah Group, says the group’s Sirius
loyalty programme will be focused on the
customer experience.
‘It is about understanding customers’ behaviour
and where they like to spend (their rewards). We
are trying to move away from us dictating where
the customer should be.’
Folker Heim, head of loyalty with Global Hotel
Alliance (which includes Rydges in Australasia),
says the GHA Discovery programme offers local
experiences rather than traditional points.
‘This puts excitement back into travel and
gives customers something unique to the local
market. One top tier experience in Abu Dhabi, for
example, is to go into the desert for a candle lit
dinner in a Bedouin tent.’
To your
good health
3700 licensed healthcare professionals speaking
over 50 languages.
Dr Fatma Alsharaf, manager strategy and
partner development for Dubai Healthcare
City says the DHCC has a number of ‘excellence
clusters’. She gave a presentation to international
travel wholesalers at the recent Arabian Travel
Market and the DHCC also had a strong presence
at the market’s exhibition hall.
‘We have always been attractive for medical
travellers,’ Alsharaf says.
She points out that the clusters most
appealing to travellers include cosmetic
treatment and dermatology, complementary
and alternative medicine, dental care and
eye care.
With medical tourism
growing globally by 20 to
30% each year, destinations
are manoeuvring for a
piece of the action.
In United Arab Emirates, Dubai Healthcare
City is marketing itself to international
patients who want to combine a visit to the
destination with medical treatment.
It has more than 120 internationally
accredited medical centres with more than
to be, with the amount of aircraft on order –
especially the A380s and B777s. Emirates will be
much bigger and more global.’
LaBelle says Emirates is doing more in the
sphere of sports sponsorship and Skywards will
do more to leverage that. ‘Things like Formula 1,
or sponsoring Arsenal in the United Kingdom give
us something more to provide to our members.
We become more relevant on a day by day basis
using the assets we have.’
Skywards
All speakers on the panel remain committed
to loyalty programmes and expect them to grow.
Brian LaBelle, senior vice president Emirates
Airline’s Skywards, says the role of the programme
is to augment the overall Emirates offering and
grow with the airline.
‘It is really about where the airline is going
DNA clinic
Fellow
emirate
Abu
Dhabi
also
had
Haitham Mattar, regional vice-president with
Hilton Worldwide, says Hilton Honors has 34
million members across the globe, with a four
million increase in the last year.
‘Members are the highest payers in terms of
rate – they pay for executive level to get upgrades
to suites.
‘So they are not only loyal, they pay a higher
rate and spend more on incrementals.’
He says loyalty programme guests range from
those using more budget conscious brands
through to guests who regularly stay at Waldorf
Astoria at around US$600 per night.
‘We do have more loyalty members in the high
category spend, but $270 would be the global
average for club members. People are most likely
to redeem at Hilton and Doubletrees, but some of
that is because of the availability of Hilton around
the world.’
Mattar says Hilton Honors will be ‘bigger, better,
stronger’ in the next five years.
‘We should be looking at 45 to 50 million
members if we keep growing at current rates’. He
says a ‘big chunk’ of loyalty programme members
are corporate travellers – probably about 80%.
some medical tourism news. The USA
headquartered DNA Health Corp opens its
first overseas flagship centre this month on
Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island.
‘Abu Dhabi is the first step of our phased
five-year plan for global expansion and we
are looking at opening similar DNA centres in
Saudi Arabia and Turkey within the next 12 to
18 months,’ says DNA Health Corp chairman
and chief executive officer Dr Nasim Ashraf.
He quotes figures from hospitality
research consultancy SRI indicating that the
global wellness tourism market is estimated
to be worth more than $US106 billion.
The new centre will offer personalised
lifestyle medicine programmes ‘based on
a holistic approach utilising leading edge
Western medicine, advanced diagnostics
and clinical therapies, complemented by
centuries old Eastern healing traditions
and philosophies.’
travelinc june/july 2013 23
arabian travel market
Business
travel –
back in black
Business travel is back
and well and truly in
growth mode, according
to the latest Euromonitor
International forecast.
Presented at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM)
in Dubai, the report highlighted that business
travel recorded a healthy rise to reach 212 million
international arrivals (worldwide) in 2012.
Rising middle
class –
opportunities
for airlines
The next 10 years will see the
aviation industry dominated
by growth in the Middle East
and Asia, according to an Ernst
& Young aviation industry
forecast released during
Arabian Travel Market in May.
The report also says that consolidation in
traditional markets is creating a new era of
streamlined operations and the introduction of
a new ‘mega-carrier’ business model.
Authored and presented by Sunil Malhotra,
director aviation sector, Middle East and North
Africa for Ernst & Young, the report examines
the industry today. It also looks ahead to the
opportunities and challenges facing airlines,
airports and governments looking to capture
increased passenger traffic while managing
soaring aviation fuel costs and new governmentlevied fees and taxes.
24 travelinc june/july 2013
‘Business travel is back on the road,’ says Sana
Toukan, senior research analyst, who presented
the report at ATM.
Western Europe is the world leader for
international business arrivals followed by Asia
Pacific. However, Asia Pacific is the world leader
in domestic business travel, with a 64% share.
Toukan says the hotel sector expected to
achieve healthy growth globally in the next
five years.
Domestic business travel in China, India and
the US are important drivers of growth, while
mobile apps and last minute bookings continue
to gain ground in the sector.
‘Hotels continue to embrace technology
and innovation.’
In terms of air traffic 2012 saw a five percent
rise in the number of air passengers worldwide.
The research shows that the Middle East was
the best performing region in terms of traffic in
2012, thanks to the performance of Gulf airlines.
Toukan says Asia Pacific is the region expected
to achieve the highest value sales growth in air
transport in the next five years.
‘An industry with a history of resilience, the
growth of the aviation business is directly linked
to that of global GDP,’ says Malhotra. ‘Emerging
markets are the ones driving economic growth
and fuelling air traffic development.’
The report notes that Asia Pacific will lead
world traffic by 2031, with a 32% share, with
global airline passenger numbers projected to
grow at four percent per annum and Middle East
carriers to see market share rise to 11% in 2031
from the current figure of seven percent.
Year on year RPK (revenue passenger
kilometre) growth by Middle East based carriers
is expected to rise from 11.4% to 15.6%, driven
by long range aircraft capability and the region’s
newly developed airport hubs.
‘Translating this into financial results, in the
near term we will see a moderate improvement
in net profits. However, looking longer term,
the rising middle class in Asia Pacific and the
Middle East offers a large pool of opportunity
in emerging markets, complemented by higher
economic growth.’
He says the new global aviation landscape will
have seven to 10 mega-carriers occupying the
prime position in the market, while aggressive
Middle East sector growth and low cost carrier
expansion will be a major driver for passenger
growth traffic in the region.
‘With consolidation front of mind in North
America and Europe, to take advantage of these
opportunities, airlines everywhere must develop
meaningful alliances and partnerships, with past
rivals becoming new allies, and also work on
their customer loyalty programmes and their
social customer agenda.’
Sana Toukan presented the report
at Arabian Travel Market
Emirates to
Stockholm
Introductory economy
and business class fares
are on offer from Emirates
for the start of its services
to Stockholm from New
Zealand, via Dubai.
From September 3, all daily flights from
Auckland and Christchurch will provide
a direct connection at Dubai with the
airline’s Stockholm service.
‘We are keen for New Zealanders to
start their Europe journeys with a taste
of Scandinavia, so return economy
class fares for Stockholm will start from
$2099, with business class going for
$7999 return,’ says Emirates’ general
manager New Zealand Chris Lethbridge.
‘Stockholm makes a marvellous addition
to the Emirates network in Europe. It also
gives New Zealand travellers another
option for travel into Stockholm and out
through one of the other 33 destinations
that we fly to in Europe.’
Yarra valley
It’s hard on a winter evening to beat sampling Yarra
Valley pinot noir beside the fire at Balgownie Estate’s
Rae’s Restaurant. From left, Keryn Ngare, First Travel
Group; Naomi Ferreira, Virgin Australia; Maria Apii,
Tourism Victoria; Jenny Wallis, Infinity and Gabrielle
Brown, House of Travel Product
are from the wine industry - they are not just
bus drivers. We talk to the owners of the wineries
and take our guests inside the famous Domaine
Chandon.’
Noble is committed to the travel trade, working
with it globally and attending international
trade shows. He’s a regular at ATE (Australian
Tourism Exchange) and Tri State Walkabout. ‘Our
scheduled tours run every day of the year except
Christmas, Boxing and New Year’s Days.’
Balgownie Estate
More than just
a day trip
Although the Yarra Valley is
primarily known as a wine
destination, a small group
of New Zealand wholesalers
recently discovered the valley
offers so much more. Less
than an hour’s drive east of
the state’s capital, the Yarra
has developed into a bona
fide gourmet destination
complemented with
activities such as ballooning,
wildlife, gardens and golf.
Opened late last year, Yarra Valley
Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery is the valley’s
newest attraction. Entrepeneurial foodies
Ian and Leanne Neeland have developed an
architect designed destination that includes
a showroom, factory and café. Chocolate is
sourced from Belgium but many of the flavours
are distinctly Australian (eg the Bush Tucker
range) with ingredients sourced locally and,
increasingly, from its own emerging orchard
and garden.
The New Zealanders enjoyed a private tasting
with Dimitri Smet, one of the team of European
chocolatiers recruited last year. Packing a late
punch, and highly recommended, is the chilli
chocolate (the chillis are from the garden
of course).
‘The café is a huge part of the offering here
serving breakfast, lunch and cakes,’ explains
Sandy Thackray, customer relations manager
at the chocolaterie. ‘It also serves 20 different
flavours of ice cream.’
Thackray says the valley has developed as
an ‘experience’ with wine, food, gardens and
ballooning. As well as 50 cellar doors and
the chocolaterie, the region has a cheesery, a
number of micro-breweries and indigenous
wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary.
The Kiwis spent a night in spa suites at
Balgownie Estate. Sitting gently on the
landscape overlooking the valley, the resort has
a day spa, gym and indoor swimming pool as
well as tennis court and walking tracks.
It’s not unusual for guests to see balloons
drifting past when they open their drapes on a
clear morning.
In addition to selling local produce (jams
chutneys etc) and wine tastings, the cellar door
offers wine appreciation sessions on Friday
and Saturday afternoons (or at other times by
arrangement).
‘Balgownie Estate is a stunning resort,’ says
Keryn Ngare from First Travel Group. ‘It’s well
priced, including Rae’s Restaurant. I couldn’t fault
the food and it was nice to see local produce on
the menu.
‘I think the Yarra Valley is a destination that
could be pushed a lot more,’ she adds.
The wine
Sports psyche
Wineries range in size from Yering Farm (5000
cases per year) to Domaine Chandon’s 200,000
cases. The boutique nature of the destination
appealed to Gabrielle Brown, House of Travel
Product. ‘The Yarra was great. It’s so accessible
to Melbourne and staying a night adds to the
experience. I liked the boutique vineyards - from
the sophisticated Yering Station and Domaine
Chandon wineries as well as the homely
Yering Farm.’
The group’s touring was hosted by Australian
Wine Tours that has been operating in the valley
for 15 years. Owner Matt Noble has free wifi in
his vehicles and can customise tours for special
groups and corporates. He believes his point
of difference is the strong relationships he has
developed with the wineries. ‘Our customers are
their customers,’ he says. ‘We offer a high quality
of education and a distinct formula. Our guides
Anthony Grace of Melbourne Sports Tours and
Melbourne Shopping Experiences hosted the
group’s journey back to Melbourne. ‘Melbourne
continues to cater to all tastes,’ Grace explains.
His AFL (Aussie Rules Football) sports tour in
particular gives visitors the opportunity to get
inside the Victorian psyche. It’s a small group
personal experience with premium undercover
seating and traditional footy food of a meat
pie and a drink. Guests meet their host in a bar
near the Melbourne Cricket Ground or Etihad
Stadium for a welcome drink and introduction
to AFL before heading off to the game that
is patronised by as many women as men,
and families.
Also popular is the Horses, Wine & Beer Tour
where guests visit Living Legends (the home
of retired champion racehorses), a winery and
craft brewery.
travelinc june/july 2013 25
industry update
Marketing failure
needs addressing
Most accommodation
providers in New Zealand are
‘failing abysmally’ at measuring
where their business is coming
from, according to research
and analysis by Miles Media presented at the New Zealand
Hotel Conference recently.
Chris Adams, Miles’ director of research and
general manager, South Pacific presented a
summary of the latest research and an indepth
case study of three accommodation properties
at the conference. This summary highlighted
that many hotels, apartments and motels are
flying blind on how and where to spend their
precious marketing dollars to best effect.
‘Many, if not most, accommodation properties
are failing to measure the broad range of media
sources and booking channels – both online and
offline that are generating business.’
He says accommodation providers tend to
focus on the obvious, like online travel agents
(OTAs). ‘Many people don’t realise that only
about one in five bookings are actually made
online, though more people than that will
research their holidays and accommodation
requirements online.’
He says that in the process New Zealand
accommodation providers, many of them
independent operators, place too much reliance
on OTAs and give away considerable yield in
the process.
‘New Zealand accommodation is specifically
failing to properly measure, and adequately
invest in, the most profitable type of all business
– direct bookings to their website and phone
calls to their business,’ the report points out.
It recommends that hotels and motels set up
a ‘marketing measurement tool kit’. This should
include trackable phone numbers, Google
analytics and campaign tracking codes. This tool
kit should then work as an integrated part of
the marketing plan – with operators continually
reviewing the results of their marketing
investments.
The report says successful hotel marketers will
identify a clear target audience and then market
to this audience through a mix of media and
booking channels but with a strong focus on
building direct business. To do this, hotels need
to engage through a user-friendly website and
convert business with smart pricing and yield
management as well as a best rate guarantee.
The next key area is loyalty. ‘Ensure your guests
leave at least satisfied and are ideally delighted
with their stay. Loyalty marketing starts with
hosting guests who want to return, and to share
their experience with others.’ Reaching these
past guests through email marketing is also a
low cost, high yield way of strengthening your
direct business.
The full white paper on Hotel Marketing and
the case study of results from three New Zealand
properties is available from Chris.Adams@
MilesPartnership.com
On a dish
Product managers, Australian state
representatives and other supporters
of Australian tourism were invited to a
sneak preview of Dishing up Australia
with Al Brown at Soul on The Viaduct early
this month.
Tapping into explorers
Visits by two of society’s most daring
explorers represents an opportunity
for travel agents, who can leverege
off the higher profile of the remote
destinations they have visited,
according to the travel company
sponsoring the events.
Adventure World is sponsoring the National
Geographic Society’s Nat Geo Live programme
when it visits the Aotea Centre in Auckland on
July 29 and August 23.
In July, Into the Icy Realms sees Paul Nicklen
embrace the extreme to capture images of
some of the most elusive polar creatures, while
in August Joel Sartore braves the front line and
lives to tell the tale in Grizzlies, Piranhas and ManEating Pigs.
Adventure World marketing manager Melissa
26 travelinc june/july 2013
Harris says that if people are inspired to visit these
destinations and purchase travel, retail agents can
tap into this enthusiasm.
‘There are hundreds of consumers who will be
attending these events. When seminars were held
in Australia last year, 6,000 brochures were picked
up on the night. This is the perfect opportunity
to take along some of your well travelled clients
or recommend they attend as there are no retail
travel agents affiliated to this event.’
She adds that Adventure World chose to
sponsor the talks because National Geographic is
a premium brand with integrity.
‘It fits well with Adventure World in promoting
the environment.
‘These consumer shows will give an awareness
of destinations that Adventure World’s clients
travel to and attendees can access a competition
on the night to win a trip to National Geographic
headquarters in Washington DC.’
Andrea Smith, Harvey World Travel; David
Libeau, Stella Travel Services; Mandy Veale,
Mondo Travel
Karen McMahon, GO Holidays; Tony Rogers,
Tourism Australia
Destination update
New luxury in
Norfolk Island
High end corporate retreats
are among the markets that a
new boutique luxury hotel on
Norfolk Island is targeting.
The Tin Sheds opened in April and manager
Sharni-Marie Barney says the three apartment
property is a couple of minutes’ walk to cafés,
tour companies, the visitor information centre
and other amenities.
Apartment three has an undercover
deck area, ideal for small cocktail parties or
receptions, but Barney says groups can also
take the whole complex exclusively.
‘It is ideal for a high end incentive or a small
corporate retreat, extremely private.’
She says the apartments are self catering,
though all guests receive continental breakfast
the first morning. ‘We send them a link to find
out what they want in advance.’
If individuals or groups require more in the
way of food and beverage service it can easily
be arranged.
‘We can bring in people for catering
if required, shop in advance for a group,
or organise picnic hampers. It is a highly
personalised service.’
The Tin Sheds has free wireless internet, spa
baths and custom made rosewood furniture
in all apartments and a ‘Pleasure Centre’ with
swim spa (heated all year round), sauna, mini
gym, massage room (a massage comes in the
package) and a library.
The Tin Sheds package also includes use of a
2013 model Fiat convertible car with insurance,
The Tin Sheds courtyard
The swim spa is in The Tin
Sheds’ ‘Pleasure Centre’
full access to the Cheryl tennis club and flipper
hire from Land & Sea. Guests staying four nights
or more can choose a personalised holiday
experience such as nine holes of golf at the
Norfolk Island Golf Club, a two course dinner
voucher at a leading Norfolk Island restaurant,
an introductory tour of the island with Rick’s
Personal Tours or a number of other options.
Barney says the New Zealand market is still
largely unaware of what Norfolk Island can
offer. ‘Everything I do is basically selling Norfolk
Island. We have to get people here first.’
Sharni-Marie Barney visited New Zealand
late May to promote The Tin Sheds in
the marketplace.
Canyons and
cowboys
Contiki, Insight Vacations and Trafalgar
began their ‘Canyons, Cowboys, Llamas and
Rockies’ Roadshow early June to launch
their 2013/14 Americas travel programmes
to agents.
Attendees were getting the lowdown
on Contiki’s 18-35’s tours, Insight Vacations’
premium escorted tours and Trafalgar’s guided
holidays throughout the region. The roadshow
also took in Christchurch, Wellington, Palmerston
North, New Plymouth and Rotorua.
Insight Vacations’ 2014/15 USA and Canada
programme features 10 gold luxury and 14
premium escorted journeys exploring the
destinations, including Alaska and Hawaii.
Raring to go at the Hamilton event: Marija
Tolj, Trafalgar; Merran Kenworthy, Insight
Vacations; and Sam Morrah, Contiki Holidays
New inclusions ensure guests receive
value from accommodation upgrades, the
introduction of welcome dinners on all
itineraries and complimentary wifi on coaches
and in hotels where available.
The escorted journeys range from seven
to 22 days combining the best to see
and do in North America with plenty of
variety from Hawaiian Dreams to the Great
Western American Adventure and Capitals
Jacqui Addison and Lesley
McLeod, Flight Centre Tauranga
attended the Tauranga event
of Eastern Canada.
There are several new US and Canadian hotels
in the Insight programme, chosen for their
desirable central locations. Additions include the
Ritz Carlton Philadelphia located in a landmark
downtown building, the waterfront Hyatt
Regency Savannah and the grand Stanley Hotel
located in Estes Park, Colorado which inspired
Stephen King’s The Shining after he visited the
hotel with his wife.
travelinc june/july 2013 27
industry update
Seabreeze rep
Anne Radonich, of RAD
Marketing, now represents
Seabreeze Resort Samoa
in the New Zealand and
Australian markets.
Seabreeze now represented
by RAD Marketing
Seabreeze owners Chris and Wendy
Booth say the property is moving into an
exciting phase, with new developments
in the pipeline. ‘With our new focus on the
wedding market and Anne Radonich’s input,
we will continue to provide guests with a
romantic, intimate and magical experience.’
Taiwan - free
wifi for
international
visitors
Taiwan’s international visitors
can now connect to the
internet all over the country
free of charge. Taiwan... free internet
Agents can get ‘out there’ action
Expedia’s high profile
marketing campaign –
Out There Starts Here
– has positive spin offs
for the trade through the
company’s Travel Agents
Affiliate Programme (TAAP).
Stuart Udy, who heads up Expedia TAAP in
Australia and New Zealand says a twist on the
tag line to make it Out There Starts in Here
will be promoted through selected travel
agents wanting to participate in the Expedia
promotions.
He says selected agents registered with
Expedia TAAP can take advantage of the
promotions any time. ‘If agents wish they can
even hang a poster in the window promoting
the fact that they can book the best on-line
internet rates for their customers and combine
it with their own great service.’
Expedia claims that over half the travel agency
community in Australia and New Zealand is
registered for the affiliate programme, with
new registrations being approved each day
and transaction volumes continuing to grow at
record levels.
‘When dealing with Expedia TAAP, agents
are selling product contracted directly through
Expedia and managed by over 1200 local market
managers worldwide. That means there is an
end to end relationship between the product
provider and the travel agent.’
Expedia is offering air and land combined
packages called Expedia Holidays and these are
seen as great add-ons for people on holiday or
28 travelinc june/july 2013
travelling on business.
‘Expedia Holidays offers some amazing deals
combining land and air into one package, all of
which are commissionable to agents,’ says Chris
Jones, local Expedia TAAP representative in New
Zealand. ‘The air inventory includes both full
service and low cost carriers. This is a great tool
for agents to use, as it offers the ability to sell
a large range of packages all around the world.
‘For example, you have arranged a client’s
holiday, and just before they depart for the
UK, they ask you to arrange a weekend break
ex London to Venice. Simple! Just sign in to
Expedia, click on to the ‘Expedia Holidays’ tab,
type in London and Venice and the dates, and
a whole range of options appear, all priced in
NZD, and all commissionable. Ask if they need
a transfer or sightseeing booked, and again
by clicking on the ‘Activities’ tab and entering
Venice, a wide range of product is available,
again all commissionable.’
Niue impresses
New Zealand and Australian
participants in a recent
wholesalers familiarisation
to Niue Island all returned
impressed by the destination.
Suzie Williams, of Hogan and Associates,
accompanied the group and says all the
product managers were ‘first timers’ to Niue but
extremely seasoned travellers.
This follows a move by the Taiwan government,
together with regional government bodies,
to set up some 4,400 ‘iTaiwan’ wifi hotspots at
major tourist spots, transportation hubs, cultural
establishments, and government offices all over
the island.
Tourists entering the island can apply for
an ‘iTaiwan’ account on arrival at Taoyuan
International Airport at the Taiwan Tourism
Bureau service counter or at any visitor centre
throughout the island.
All they need is a passport and once their
account is open, they can go online with their
internet-enabled smart phones, laptops, or
tablet computers at any ‘iTaiwan’ hotspot
anywhere on Taiwan. All they have to do is
select the ‘iTaiwan’ SSID and enter their account
number and password. This will give them access to tourist
information as well as allowing them to contact
anyone anywhere in the world.
‘They were top people and they were all
impressed,’ she says. ‘Some of them said it was
mind changing.’
Williams says people were impressed with
how safe and secure the island is.
Niue has had a boost with a second flight
(every alternate Wednesday) from New Zealand
operating from March to mid-October.
‘The aim (for Niue) is to have that flight
operating all year round,’ says Mike Hogan
(Hogan and Associates represents Niue in this
market). ‘I think that would probably suffice
and suit the infrastructure there well.’
He says the two flights mean Niue can put a
possible 300 visitors there per week.
pacific
Enjoying the sunset
from La Legoto Resort
Manase Beach
in Savai’i
The Alofaaga
Blowholes
Selling Savai’i
Product managers who
attended the Samoa
Tourism Exchange
recently had a side trip
to the destination’s
‘other’ island – Savai’i.
Fasitau Ula, Samoa Tourism Authority’s
manager in New Zealand, says the majority
of attendees had not been to Savai’i before.
‘The feedback was that they were impressed.
Savai’i is a destination in its own right with an all
together different feeling to Upolu.
‘It’s relaxed and untouched. It doesn’t have
the big resorts but it does have some excellent
boutique accommodation.’
Ula says the island has some legendary sites
of its own, such as the Alofaaga Blowholes and
Fafa-o-Savai’i (the latter being the western point
of Savai’i for a great view of the sunset). There is
also the chance to swim with turtles.
‘People also enjoy the lava fields and cultural
activities such as hiking on the craters.’
SAMOA.
THE ONE PLACE
ON EARTH THAT
HASN’T SPED UP.
There has never been a better time to discover the Treasured
Islands of the South Pacific.
Like emeralds scattered across the glistening Pacific ocean,
the Samoan Islands offer Kiwis a year-round tropical escape
right on our back door.
You’ll discover the real treasures in life can’t be measured or
bought at any price. You’ll also discover why Samoa was recently
voted Best Value Destination in the Pacific.
Get online and discover a holiday you will treasure forever!
www.samoa.travel
The Treasured Islands of the South Pacific
travelinc june/july 2013 29
pacific
Stevenson’s
Samoan legacy
Guide Nitro Matealona
talks about Stevenson’s
large safe in the dining
room / ballroom
Author Robert Louis Stevenson was just 44 years old
when he died and only the last four of those years
were spent in Samoa. Yet his impact on Samoa, due
not only to his writing but also his support of and
involvement with local people, belied the length of
time he spent there.
These days his grand residence, Vailima House
continues to draw visitors who are interested in
literature, architecture, history or all three. An
added bonus is that its position on a hill above
Apia lends it to a cooling breeze, so foreigners
can (to a certain extent) escape the day’s heat
The fireplace in the smoking room
(now known as the tapa room) made
the great author feel at home
30 travelinc june/july 2013
while they are guided around what is now
known as the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum.
The first room entered on a tour of the house
is the Tapa Room, named for its tapa wallpaper.
However, in Stevenson’s day it was the smoking
room and has the eccentric feature of a fireplace.
It is one of two in the house, but neither was
ever used.
‘It’s hot in Samoa,’ says guide Nitro Matealona.
‘But Stevenson was from Scotland and the
fireplace made him feel at home.’
It is a good thing nobody has ever been
tempted to put on a log fire – neither fireplace
has a chimney.
For literature buffs, the most interesting room
in the house is the library, which also doubled
as Stevenson’s bedroom – his wife Fanny had
a separate room, but the most luxurious was
reserved for his mother.
The library has a cabinet display of first
editions of his most famous works – Treasure
Island, Kidnapped and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
None of those books were written in Samoa,
though he was productive.
‘The War of Hermsiton was his last book,’ says
Matealona. ‘He hoped it would be his best work
but he died before he finished it and his step
son finished it.’ (Matealona tried to read it but
couldn’t get to the end, so Stevenson’s hope of
it being a great novel probably didn’t come to
fruition. Certainly, it was not a big seller.)
The author also produced The Catriona,
Vailima Letters, and A Footnote to History (about
Samoa) in his last years and these, along with
other books, are displayed in the library.
When Stevenson died, his family did not stick
around. The house became residence for the
New Zealand High Commissioner and stayed
that way until 1962.
It may well have become derelict after that if
not for American Rex Maughan, who now leases
it from the Samoan Government. He spent US$3
million restoring the property and in 1994 it was
opened as a museum.
Entrance fees (20 tala for adults, five for
children) help with the upkeep of the house
now, but Maughan still plays a strong part
in its wellbeing.
A portrait of Robert Louis Stevenson in the
museum’s dining room / ballroom. It was
actually painted in 1994 to decorate the room
Cruising
Cruising far
and wide
More than 48,000 New
Zealanders took a cruise
holiday in 2012, with
international cruises
attracting record
numbers, according to
the New Zealand Cruise
Industry report released
in Auckland recently at
the Heritage Hotel.
Releasing the report, Cruise Lines International
Association (CLIA) Australasia general manager
Brett Jardine says CLIA anticipates a return to
strong growth patterns in 2013 and beyond
when more cruise ship capacity is scheduled to
be deployed in Auckland.
The report shows that while total passenger
numbers fell 15% due to the absence of a
cruise ship sailing from Auckland last winter,
enthusiasm for cruise holidays continued to
grow, with the number of New Zealanders
cruising from overseas ports hitting a new high.
Derek Sullivan,
Travel Smart with
Brett Jardine
CLIA Australasia
general manager
at Auckland’s
Heritage Hotel
International destinations other than the
South Pacific attracted a milestone 37,013
passengers in 2012, up 24% on 2011, with
Europe alone drawing 10,617 passengers.
Jardine says projections for Europe over the
next three years expect this number to double.
Meanwhile river cruising numbers rose 32% to
3,502 and Asia proved to be the front runner
with a 37% increase, although from a small base.
Strong growth was recorded in the Caribbean,
up 32%, while the other Americas grouping,
which includes Hawaii, also rose 32%.
Donal O’Sullivan, Cruise World, says he
wasn’t suprised by the figures, but adds that
Cruise World’s figures for Europe for the year
ending March 30, 2013 revealed a 30% increase.
‘Cruising to Europe and the Americas is a huge
market for us and the strong NZD against the
USD and the euro is listed as one of the major
factors to increased passenger numbers. All
styles of cruising are popular, but we have
Tony Smith,
Francis Travel
Marketing and
Jacqueline
Unsworth, Stella
retail cruise
market manager
recorded significant growth with luxury small
ships, in particular Seabourn.’
The report showed booking lead in times
appear more stable as the figures reflect a
shift towards early bookings in 2012. While
the number of passengers booking a cruise 12
months or more before travel remained static
at nine percent, 47.5% of passengers booked
a cruise six to 12 months before departure on
2012, compared to 40% on 2011.
O’Sullivan concurs with the shift in lead in
times and says they are still seeing last minute
bookings, but it’s a ‘take what is left’ scenario.
‘There is certainly less choice the closer to
departure and this is partly due to the fact that
the US economy is slowly improving. Cruising is
huge for the US market, and many cruise dates
are filling up for 2014 and even into 2015. If an
earlybird deal hits the market, it’s a good idea to
take it as the last minute deals we were seeing in
2009/10 are not as prolific.’
Record growth for Princess Cruises
Seeing a steady increase in the number of cruise
passengers sailing from the Australasian region
has prompted Princess Cruises to establish a
dedicated Australia New Zealand sales team.
‘This will give us the ability to reach the
market, especially for the travel agents and
support the distribution channels from
both countries.’
Visiting Auckland mid May, five of the
Sydney based members updated the
industry with what’s new with Princess
Cruises, in particular the launch in June of the
cruise line’s newest ship, the Royal Princess.
The 3,600 passenger Royal Princess is the
first build for the line in five years and Alan
Stuart, commercial director Princess Cruises
says she will have special features including
a larger atrium and an over-water SeaWalk, a
glass-bottom
walkway
extending 28 feet beyond
the edge of the ship. ‘The
SeaWalk looks fantastic
during the day, but at night time the ceiling is
covered in tiny lights. We also have a bigger spa
area, poolside cabanas that appear to be floating
on water and balconies on all the outside
staterooms.’
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge
will name the Royal Princess in a ceremony at
Southampton on June 13 and there will be a
week-long inaugural celebration to welcome the
vessel into service.
Dining at Euro Restaurant & Bar on
Auckland’s waterfront, the Princess
Cruises’ Sydney team includes Alan Stuart,
commercial director; Meg Koffel, public
relations; Nick Ferguson, marketing
manager; Brett Wendorf, head of sales and
Belinda Clark, based in Auckland
Princess Cruises will launch another new
ship, the Regal Princess in 2014, bringing the
total number of ships in the fleet to 18.
travelinc june/july 2013 31
New event / late news
Expo to highlight Queensland’s
business events offerings
A new expo, showcasing
Queensland’s business
events industry, has just
been launched.
Convene Queensland (ConveneQ 2014) will
be held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition
Centre on July 29 next year and is expected to
attract exhibitors from throughout the state.
Buyers will be sourced from the local market
as well as from other parts of Queensland and
Australia, and New Zealand.
While it will have its own distinctive
Queensland character, ConveneQ will follow
the successful formula of Convene events in
Auckland and Christchurch.
Stu Freeman, director of exhibition organising
company ProMag Publishing, says ConveneQ
will host buyers from Sydney, Melbourne, North
Queensland and other parts of Australia. The
event will also host highly qualified meeting,
conference and incentive organisers from
New Zealand. All hosted buyers will commit to
taking part in pre-scheduled appointments.
Buyers from South East Queensland will
be able to choose a completely ‘free-flow’
approach or opt to pre-arrange one or
more appointments.
ConveneQ will also include morning and
afternoon tea and lunch, entertainment
showcases, educational seminars and other
networking functions.
Freeman says details will be confirmed in
coming weeks and months. He says it was
important to announce the show date just over
a year out so that Queensland companies can
budget and plan to take part.
‘Initial research has revealed that there is
definitely a demand for this expo. It will be a
one day show, with an affordable entry level
for exhibitors.’
He says the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition
Centre (BCEC) is an enthusiastic partner in
the expo.
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
general manager, Bob O’Keeffe says it is always
extremely pleasing to welcome a new event
to Brisbane. ‘Exhibitions are a powerful face to
face sales and marketing medium and play a
significant role in the lucrative business events
sector. ConveneQ presents a great opportunity
for Brisbane to showcase its appeal as a
dynamic events destination.’
Freeman says that while this is a new event,
suppliers to the conference, incentive and
function sectors can be assured that ProMag
has a successful formula for a show of this kind.
‘At the Convene event in Auckland this April, the
average length of stay per visitor was more than
three hours. So buyers are definitely there to
do business.’
He says the Convene portfolio of events
attracts not only professional conference
and incentive organisers but also corporate
meeting planners, association executives,
Rainbird’s return
Veronica Rainbird has rejoined Dubai’s Department
of Tourism & Commerce
Marketing (DTCM) Australia
and New Zealand team to take
up the newly created position
of general manager – trade
relations and partnerships.
In line with the recently announced 2020
Vision for Dubai Tourism, the role has been
introduced to increase the destination’s market
share within Australia and New Zealand.
Julie King, DTCM Australia and New Zealand
director says Rainbird was a key player in
DTCM’s successful launch into the market in
32 travelinc june/july 2013
2010 and will be instrumental
in implementing plans moving
forward.
She has extensive experience
in hotels, convention bureaux, tourism boards
in New South Wales and Queensland and retail
travel agency groups.
Thailand
appointment
Mary Gee is the new Thailand marketing
assistant in New Zealand with Francis
Travel Marketing. She started on June 10
and comes from Orbit Travel Parnell.
business travel managers, executive secretaries
and PAs, and exhibition organisers.
‘Anybody who organises an event – from
the annual Christmas party or corporate
team building event through to a national or
international conference – will be encouraged
to attend ConveneQ.’
New at cievents
Sophie Baettig has joined cievents
as an event manager. Baettig has just
returned from London where she has
been working in an events based role
and will bring extensive experience
to her position at cievents. She will
be responsible for managing events,
conferences and incentives for various
clients, working alongside the rest of the
cievents team.
Dominique Rennell is cievents’ assistant
team leader. She will manage the
running, growth and development of the
operations team while being responsible
for the development of team members.
cievents has experienced growth over
the past year. (Earlier people news
page 8)
The 21st IT&CMA and
16th CTW Asia-Pacific
Incorporating Luxury Travel
1 - 3 October 2013
Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld Bangkok, Thailand
“
It is definitely worth while being an exhibitor
at IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific.
2012 Event Highlights
Unparalled Business Generation
“many new exhibitors
An excellent event! Appreciated the opportunity to meet with
and learn about new venues
that we can consider for our future events.
More than 85% of exhibitors expect orders of up
to USD 750,000 in value per order, 6 to 12 months
after the event.
Top Quality Exhibition Showcase
As rated by 90% of buyers
”
Tammy Piatti of OPTIMUM Thailand
“
Am very satisfied with the numerous new contacts I made
at the event as well as new ideas and knowledge on destinations gained.
”
Agnieszka Kaminska, Project Manager of Impuls Travel, Poland
“
High Quality Business Appointments
I’ve attended a lot of industry events and
this is the best among them.
As rated by 80% of buyers
”
Gabe Dakwa, Travel Manager of Agilent Technologies, USA
Fresh Buying Power Each Year
With 63% new buyers in 2012
Over 90% of Delegates*
Are Likely To Recommend This Event
To Industry Peers And Return For Next
Year’s Event!
*Across Buyer, Corporate Travel Manager and Media Categories
Register
Online
”
Michal Barszap, President/CEO of ITS Tours, Meetings & Incentives, USA
“
A truly great experience with loads of networking,
allowing me to connect with industry peers and
discover insights of representing countries.
”
Leena Andrews, APAC Travel Manager of Juniper, India
Learn How Destinations, Individuals and Organisations
Have Benefited From Being A Part of The Event
Read Our Commemorative Book,
20... To Be Continued, Online
Exhibitors (MICE, Corporate Travel & Luxury Travel) | Buyers (MICE & Luxury Travel) |
Corporate Travel Managers | Media | Conference Delegates
Hosting Programme for Buyers, Corporate Travel Managers
and Media Available
www.itcma.com | www.corporatetravelworld.com
Organised By
Official Airline
Media Affiliates
Supported By
Official Venue
Endorsing and Supporting Associations
Host Country
Official Media
Connecting the
South Island for
business events
The inaugural Convene South Exhibition
will be held at the Air Force Museum,
Wigram on September 3 2013. This is the
key forum for professionals who organise
conferences, incentives and events in the
South Island to meet with suppliers of
event products and services.
To book a stand contact
Michelle Pedersen on 09 818 7807
or email michelle@promag.co.nz
To register as a buyer or for more
information visit
www.convenesouth.co.nz