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‘Opportunity in uncertainty’ workshop for YoungTEC leaders
YoungTEC aims to tackle the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic by providing an exciting new development opportunity for young tourism leaders.
The workshop named ‘Opportunity in uncertainty’, has been developed in partnership with The Icehouse and registrations will be open exclusively to YoungTEC members. The purpose of this initiative is to help young leaders in tourism build their capability and confidence to lead. The workshop will include frameworks and tools to help participants find opportunities to drive the recovery journey within their own team and company.
The one day event will be held on 23 September at The Icehouse homebase in Auckland.
The Icehouse, Director of Growth, Liz Wotherspoon says “We are delighted to be working with YoungTEC again and are keen to help tourism businesses in any way that we can during these challenging and uncertain times. It is great to see the strength of young leadership and talent shining through given how critical this will be as the industry recovers and thrives”.
The workshop will provide a much desired chance for YoungTEC members to gather, shake hands, gain insight and share experiences at this face-to-face event.
YoungTEC’s Chair Zac Watson says ‘we are absolutely delighted to be partnering again with the exceptional team at The Icehouse, and are extremely grateful to the Hospitality Training Trust for aiding us in making this initiative a reality in 2020. As a strong advocate of tourism as a career, we are proud to provide additional support for young people to build resilience and confidence especially during this unprecedented time.’
YoungTEC are appreciative to both The Icehouse and the Hospitality Training Trust for their continued support.
Registrations for the Opportunity in uncertainty will open Monday 27 July 2020. The exclusive workshop registrations are based on a first come, first served basis for YoungTEC members. For further information contact the YoungTEC team via email young@tourismexportcouncil.org.nz.
ENDS.
For more information please contact:
Zac Watson – YoungTEC Chair
GCH Aviation has again boosted its investment in tourism infrastructure with the purchase of Tasman Helicopters in Nelson.
GCH Aviation Group Chief Executive, Andrew Currie says the purchase of Tasman Helicopters expands the group’s scenic and commercial aviation services across New Zealand and the Pacific, establishing it as one of New Zealand’s major tourism aviation providers.
The process of the purchase of Tasman Helicopters started before the COVID19 situation but we continued as we see it as an important part of our premium tourism offering going forward. GCH Aviation has a diversified portfolio of aviation businesses which has meant we can still look for opportunities to strengthen our commercial and tourism offering.\
We have our sights firmly fixed on the premium tourism sector. “We want to ensure our clients are given the very best experience from the minute they arrive in the country either by their own private jets or ours to when they get out to explore New Zealand.”
Nelson is a beautiful part of the South Island and boasts a spectacular coastal environment, a selection of some of the best luxury lodges in the top of the South Island and access to the Abel Tasman National Park.
Logan Moore, who previously owned Tasman Helicopters will stay on with GCH Aviation and the business will still run under the Tasman Helicopters brand. We are delighted to add Logan’s tourism expertise to our business,” said Andrew.
The GCH Aviation Group already has a significant sized aviation base in Nelson which already has commercial helicopters, an Air Rescue helicopter as well as a New Zealand Flying Doctor air ambulance base. Tasman Helicopters will be an addition to this operation, working from the same office.
The purchase of Tasman helicopters adds to the GCH Aviation tourism portfolio which has been growing steadily in the past few years. The Group purchased Kaikoura Helicopters last year and the company has other helicopter operations in Christchurch, Greymouth, Wellington, Fiji and Vanuatu. The GCH Aviation Group also includes certified flight training, air rescue and air ambulance operations based at their HQ in Christchurch.
The group’s 9,000 sqm Christchurch Headquarter has direct access to the Christchurch Airport runway, and dedicated helipads. It includes Christchurch’s first 24 hour full-service jet centre to the
South Island’s rapidly growing corporate aviation market, with hangar parking and overnight
facilities for jets, a private terminal, ground handling, catering, plus Ministry of Primary Industry and
Customs services and has just added a Bombardier Challenger 604, 10 seat private charter jet to its
fleet.
Established in 1983, GCH Aviation is the only company to hold the prestigious Helicopter Association
of New Zealand Diamond Safety Award for 30+ years continuous service without injury or accident
to self, passengers or crew. It also holds a 100% Pure New Zealand Qualmark Gold endorsement and
is the only NZ Aviation company to be an approved Virtuoso luxury network supplier.
ENDS
Website: http://www.gchaviation.com/
For further information and images, please contact:
Caroline Blanchfield
Group Marketing Manager
GCH Aviation
Caroline.blanchfield@gchaviation.com
+64 21914188
CPG Hotels major domestic tourism investment
As the country’s largest privately-owned hotel group, CPG Hotels, like the rest of the tourism sector, has experienced less than full occupancy rates and had to reduce its services and dining arm during Levels 4 and 3 of the Covid-19 nationwide lockdown.
It also meant the group, owned by the Auckland-based Pandey family, had to press pause on the creation and launch of a bold new luxury boutique hotel brand with a projected investment of $100m. The plan to relaunch six hotels nationwide in Dunedin, Christchurch, Picton, Wellington and Auckland within 18 months from now is already well advanced.
However, the projected losses as a result of the pandemic has not dented the confidence of CPG Hotel head Prakash Pandey in the New Zealand economy. The group is putting the finishing touches on the transformation of Dunedin’s heritage Wains Hotel into luxury boutique five-star accommodation, opening in October.
“We resumed the refit and relaunch of Wains with renewed focus as soon as we were able. We are also adding to our property portfolio. We want to do our bit in part to help with the country’s economic recovery and aim to buy from within and source from local suppliers. We’re not looking anywhere offshore for the foreseeable future,” says Prakash Pandey.
The group has also fast-tracked another redevelopment of the central Auckland backpackers Fat Camel on Fort Street into a premium boutique hotel. The hotel, which will epitomise affordable luxury and an opportunity for guests to stay their way will open later this year. In fact, confidence in the emergence of the strong domestic tourism market makes the progressive purchase earlier this year of a beautifully turned out Grey Lynn manor house, that has been transformed into a true five-star boutique experience, more than a happy coincidence.
“The new boutique brand will bring next-level luxury to the domestic market. We want to become leaders in delivering the perfect experience that flawlessly integrates the latest technology with impeccable service and modern luxury.”
The group’s Hotel Grand Windsor was in the news late last year for winning the prestigious World’s Best New Hotel in the Boutique Hotel Awards from more than 300 entries across 80 countries.
For more information or high-res images please contact Erin McKenzie, erin@lassoo.co.nz
First organically compostable coffee cup
Biodegradable packaging company Glopac has launched New Zealand’s first organically compostable coffee cup. The Christchurch-based supplier designed the cup and lid using zero plastic or PLA, and instead, used 100 percent paper-based material, read more here.
Seasonz Travel is a luxury travel company specializing in tailor-made travel in New Zealand and the South Pacific. We cater for the independent traveller and Group travel. We also offer specialist services for VIPs such as dignitaries, celebrities and government officials. Seasonz has access to NZ and the South Pacific’s luxury lodges, villas, hotels, and private islands.
InterCity announces restart of Gisborne – Napier services
Long distance bus operator InterCity is reconnecting Gisborne and Napier, with services resuming from 1 July.
Selected services between Napier and Wellington will operate daily from 1 July, as well as additional services operating four days a week.
The additional services will connect with InterCity’s new services between Gisborne and Napier, allowing connections between Gisborne and Wellington.
CEO John Thorburn says the company is excited to resume its services in the Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay regions.
“We know our services provide a vital link for so many Kiwis, so it’s great to be back operating and reconnecting these communities,” he says.
InterCity will review services between Napier and Gisborne in early August to determine whether more availability can be opened up.
Services were suspended following the nationwide lockdown under Alert Level 4, and limited services between Napier and Wellington resumed on 28 May.
InterCity expects to announce the restart of more suspended services over the coming weeks.
Bookings can be made at intercity.co.nz
ENDS
Contact:
Daniel Rode General Manager Digital & Brand 027 4913530 danielr@entradatravelgroup.com
About InterCity
InterCity provides New Zealanders with access to affordable, safe and reliable travel to over 600
towns, cities and communities. By comparison, Air New Zealand flights connect just 20 destinations
(12 in the North Island and 8 in the South Island).
For images/video see https://entradatravelgroup.brandkit.io/assets?tags=InterCity
Holiday Inn Express opens first NZ hotel in Queenstown
Pro-invest Group is set to launch its first hotel in New Zealand with its doors opening to guests in Queenstown for school holidays and the start of the ski season.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Queenstown is a 227-room hotel, on the corner of Stanley and Sydney Streets in Queenstown’s centre. It officially opens to guests on Friday 10 July.
The hotel opening is being seen as a massive ‘shot in the arm’ for the beleaguered Queenstown tourism industry and a mark of faith in the resurgence of domestic and future international visitors.
The hotel’s room offering includes spacious suites – a Holiday Inn Express ‘first’ in New Zealand and Australia – in addition to superior rooms, which provide breathtaking views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables mountain range.
Ronald Barrott, Pro-invest Group Chief Executive Officer, said the Group was excited to launch a new product at its first New Zealand property and expected strong demand.
“We are committed to expanding the Holiday Inn Express brand in New Zealand and we’re confident that Queenstown’s reputation as premier destination makes it the ideal place to start,” he said.
“Holiday Inn Express & Suites Queenstown has a stylish vibe, complete with an outdoor lounge with firepit. It’s also equipped with the smart, simple rooms, and features business and leisure travellers know and love.
“With school holidays approaching, the ski season underway and New Zealand’s COVID-19 travel restrictions lifted, we are anticipating that Queenstown and our latest hotel will be a popular destination for many holidaymakers.
“It provides easy access to popular ski destinations of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona and Treble Cone, while popular tourist attractions such as the Skyline gondola and the town’s dining precinct are on your doorstep. Queenstown is the home of adventure and also the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Milford Sound.
“The hotel’s location will also appeal to corporate and business travellers and makes for an ideal events and convention venue, as it’s only a short distance from the CBD.
“We are pleased to contribute to Queenstown’s vibrancy with another high-quality hotel offering.”
The hotel is equipped with all the features the Holiday Inn Express brand has become renowned for including an Express Start breakfast, power showers, black-out blinds, high-quality bedding with a choice of pillows and uncapped Wi-Fi.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Queenstown also features a fitness room, sauna, two flexible meeting rooms, self-serve laundry, dry room, onsite parking and a free business centre.
The hotel’s architecture – designed by local architectural practice McAuliffe Stevens (MSRA) – combines abstract elements representing ice and erratic rock forms to pay homage to the hotel’s landscape history and achieve a design that fits with the surrounding urban environment.
The hotel’s General Manager, Jason Sabin, said his team was looking forward to showcasing what smart, simple travel is all about.
“Our rooms provide all the quality conveniences that make you feel at home, even when you’re away,” he said.
“We are proud of our sustainability-focused facilities and initiatives, such as the carpets throughout the building which are made from recycled fishing nets.”
Mr Barrott also highlighted other initiatives.
“From a design perspective for instance, all air leaving the hotel passes through a heat recovery plant. This extracts the energy from air coming from the hotel’s bathrooms and other areas and transfers that energy, whether it’s heat in winter or cooling in summer, to the incoming fresh air. The results are a substantial reduction in energy used to pre-treat the incoming air for the hotel ventilation,” he said.
“We are also excited to continue rolling out IHG’s flagship sustainability initiative, A Greener Stay, which Pro-invest in collaboration with IHG introduced to the APAC region back in 2017. A Greener Stay allows guests to take part in conserving the environment through opt out of housekeeping services should they stay two or more nights, resulting in energy and water savings. As an added reward, guests who choose the opt-out receive up to 500 IHG Rewards Club points per night.
“As a group, Pro-invest is committed to developing, operating and managing its hotel portfolio in a sustainable manner and continuously improve on its ESG strategies wherever feasible.
“We look forward to welcoming locals looking for a staycation, travelers exploring the region from all over New Zealand and – circumstances permitting – from overseas very shortly.”
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Queenstown is the first and only hotel under the Holiday Inn Express brand in New Zealand to date. It is the sixth Holiday Inn Express property since 2016 to be opened by Pro-invest Group, following the launch of Sydney Macquarie Park, Brisbane, Adelaide, Newcastle and Melbourne Southbank hotels in Australia.
Pro-invest Group has plans for additional New Zealand properties.
“We have acquired a prime site in Auckland on the North Island to help continue the Group’s international growth in the coming years,” Mr Barrott said.
“This site will become New Zealand’s second Holiday Inn Express hotel and Pro-invest and New Zealand’s first voco hotel in 2021.”
The voco Hotels brand is a lifestyle-orientated brand by the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).
Pro-invest Group develops and operates Holiday Inn Express and voco hotels in Australia and New Zealand under a franchise agreement with IHG.
For further information, high res images and media interviews:
Ben Smeaton – +61 488 940 010 or ben@communikate.net.au
Silvia Knoppien – +61 467 043 173 or silvia@communikate.net.au
Bec Tape – +61 438 806 983 or rtape@communikate.net.au
InterCity Expands Northland services in time for school holidays
National bus network InterCity will resume additional services to Northland from Wednesday 1 July 2020.
The services will travel between Kaitaia and Whangarei, with connections through to Auckland on existing routes. Services to the Far North were suspended following the nationwide lockdown under Alert Level 4, and services to Kerikeri and Whangarei resumed on 28 May.
CEO John Thorburn says the company is excited to resume services to the Far North and reconnect communities.
“It’s great to be able to resume these services, as we know they provide a vital link for local communities,” he says.
The services will operate on a reduced schedule, four days per week.
InterCity expects to announce the restart of more suspended services in the coming weeks.
Bookings can be made at intercity.co.nz
Contact:
Daniel Rode General Manager Digital & Brand 027 4913530 danielr@entradatravelgroup.com
For images/video see https://entradatravelgroup.brandkit.io/assets?tags=InterCity
About InterCity
InterCity provides New Zealanders with access to affordable, safe and reliable travel to over 600 towns, cities and communities. By comparison, Air New Zealand flights connect just 20 destinations (12 in the North Island and 8 in the South Island).
How to Measure your Carbon Footprint
One of the first steps towards having a sustainable tourism business is to understand, measure and reduce your carbon footprint. There are a variety of tools and resources available to help – you’ll find much of the information you need on your energy bills and other records. You can choose to use a free carbon calculator, or if you’d like some support or are interested in getting certified as a carbon neutral business you can go with organisations like ekos or Toitū Envirocare. Toitū has a special deal for TIA members of 50% off the joining fee.
More information on how to start measuring your carbon footprint.