Air New Zealand updates domestic network

Air New Zealand is adjusting its domestic network with New Zealand now at Alert Level 4.

The airline will operate a limited domestic schedule from 3 April to enable essential travel only and to keep air freight moving. Overall, domestic capacity will reduce by 95 percent from pre-COVID-19 levels.

The airline’s domestic schedule while the country is at Alert Level 4 is as follows –

Air New Zealand Chief Revenue Officer Cam Wallace says the airline would usually fly more than 400 domestic flights daily prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Domestic travel is still an option but is extremely limited while New Zealand is at Alert Level 4 and we have updated our schedule to reflect this. In the coming weeks we will be operating a limited number of flights a day using our A320 jet aircraft, as well as our ATR and Q300 turboprop aircraft.

“Kiwis are respecting the Government’s essential travel only advice, however, we still ask customers to please check they qualify to travel under the essential services list before booking a ticket or going to the airport.”

Air New Zealand has also established a process whereby the airline will operate ad hoc domestic charter flights at the request of the New Zealand Government. These flights can be undertaken to all domestic airports within New Zealand within a matter of hours.

The airline has set up a dedicated COVID-19 information hub on its website and customers are encouraged to consult this in the first instance.

Ends

Issued by Air New Zealand Communications.

Email: media@airnz.co.nz  │  Phone: +64 21 747 320  │  Twitter: @AirNZMedia

The lights have been dimmed on Queenstown’s LUMA 

The lights have been dimmed on Queenstown’s award-winning sensory experience LUMA.

Scheduled to return to the Queenstown Gardens for its fifth year of illuminated art, sculpture and performance on Queen’s Birthday Weekend, the LUMA team has made the heartbreaking decision to pull the plug on this year’s event.

The group of passionate individuals which make up the LUMA Light Festival Trust have spent the past ten months dreaming, planning, scheming and preparing for Queenstown’s award-winning arts and culture event.

LUMA Trust chairman Duncan Forsyth said they had been “crossing our fingers” that LUMA20 would be able to defy the Covid-19 odds and bring a ray of bright, colourful light to the start of June.

“Today the LUMA Light Festival Trust made the difficult decision to cancel for 2020 and focus our energy on looking after each other, our whanau, our businesses and the wider Queenstown community,” he said.

“This will enable us to return brighter than ever in 2021. It’s a huge blow to our family of artists, partners, fellow instigators and funders. We’d like to take this chance to sincerely thank everyone who’s been part of the LUMA story so far.

“This is the beginning of the next chapter and we aim to begin working on LUMA21 as soon as the time feels right for us and the wider community.”

Duncan said discussions were already underway with major funders to agree on a rollover plan for 2021.

“The government’s decision to impose restrictions on incoming visitors and more recently, to discourage large gatherings, is the right one and we fully support it. Every effort must be made to slow down the spread of the virus and give our health system a chance to minimise harm to all New Zealanders.

“We’re fortunate to live in a community which knows how to look after people and it’s our shared responsibility to care for one another and above all stay safe.”

For further media information or high res images please contact:

Mandy Cooper
E: mandy@southernpr.co.nz
M: 0273377907

Air New Zealand brings forward suspension of Argentina service

Following increased government restrictions for travel into Argentina, Air New Zealand is suspending its Buenos Aires route with immediate effect.

NZ31 (Buenos Aires-Auckland) departing Ministro Pistarini Airport at 1145pm 18 March local time will be the airline’s final service until 30 June 2020.

Air New Zealand has upgauged the aircraft operating the service to the larger Boeing 777-300 aircraft which has 30 extra seats than the 777-200 originally scheduled.

Air New Zealand Chief Operational Integrity and Standards Officer Captain David Morgan says the suspension has been brought forward following additional border measures, which pose significant crew logistics and operational challenges.

“This is a rapidly evolving situation and we thank customers for their patience and understanding at this challenging time. Our teams are working through options for customers impacted by the earlier than planned suspension and will be in touch in coming days.”

Air New Zealand’s contact centre is operating at high volume. The latest Covid-19 information is published on the Travel Alerts section of the Air New Zealand website and customers are encouraged to check this and to get in touch with the airline via its social media channels in the first instance.

Customers booked via a travel agent (including online travel agents) should contact their booking agent.

Ends

Issued by Air New Zealand Communications.

Email: media@airnz.co.nz  │  Phone: +64 21 747 320  │  Twitter: @AirNZMedia

GCH Aviation Group expands into Luxury Charter Jet market

GCH Aviation is boosting its investment in tourism infrastructure by bringing a new Bombardier Challenger 604 charter jet to its Christchurch base and servicing New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific Islands and beyond.

The aircraft’s range is up to 4,000 nautical miles and can reach destinations such as Tahiti, all of Australia, most Pacific Islands and even up to Indonesia in one hop from Christchurch.

John Currie, Managing Director and founder of the GCH Aviation Group said the purchase of the aircraft may relieve frustration for business travellers who need to travel to a business meeting on the eastern seaboard of Australia and back in a day.  John said the uses for the aircraft are endless with 10 seats, the aircraft can be used for groups heading off for special events such as day trips to The Melbourne Cup, major motor racing, concerts and has great potential for national and international incentive business.

Considering recent events such as White Island and our own Christchurch Mosque shootings, GCH Aviation has also invested in a spectrum emergency transport kit for medical patients that require transport from anywhere in the Pacific region.  This medical transport service will be in conjunction with the GCH Aviation NZ Flying Doctors teams and the aircraft can turn from a luxury jet to a medical transport at a moment’s notice.  “It makes sense to us to have this service on standby as it can be supported by our existing air ambulance services” said John Currie.

GCH Aviation Group Chief Executive, Andrew Currie says the purchase of the Bombardier Challenger 604 jet continues to expand the GCH group’s tourism, commercial and medical aviation services across New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

Andrew Currie said GCH Aviation is continuing to grow its infrastructure and focused on growing the premium tourism sector in New Zealand, Fiji and Vanuatu.

The group’s 9,000 sqm Christchurch facility has direct access to the Christchurch Airport runway, and dedicated helipads.

The jet purchase will complement Christchurch’s first full-service jet centre which services the South Island’s corporate aviation market, with hangar parking and overnight facilities for jets, a private terminal, ground handling, catering, plus Immigration & Customs services.

GCH Aviation is headquartered in Christchurch at an award-winning purpose-built base opened in 2017.

The group has other bases in Kaikoura, Nelson, Greymouth, Wellington, Vanuatu and Fiji, the company owns more than 30 aircraft and employs over 120 staff across its helicopter and fixed wing aircraft services which as well as tourism flights, also includes certified flight training, air rescue and ambulance operations.

Established in 1983, is a family owned company and GCH Aviation is the only aviation company in New Zealand and Fiji to be accepted into the prestigious Virtuoso travel network.  GCH Aviation is also the only company to hold the prestigious Helicopter Association of New Zealand Diamond Safety Award for 30+ years continuous service without injury accident to self, passengers or crew. It also holds a Qualmark Gold endorsement, and the GCH Aviation Group was a finalist in the New Zealand Tourism Awards 2019.

Website: http://www.gchaviation.com/

For further information and images, please contact:

Caroline Blanchfield

Group Marketing Manager

Tel: 021 914 188

Email: caroline.blanchfield@gchaviation.com

Tourwriter welcomes Chief Operating Officer, Pierre Malou

Tour operator software company, Tourwriter, are kicking off the next financial year with the introduction of their new Chief Operating Officer, Pierre Malou. Malou is the latest hire for the Wellington-based company, who have undergone a period of rapid growth following the 2019 launch of their new online itinerary builder, Minim.

Working with growing companies is familiar territory for Pierre, who has held various roles throughout Asia-Pacific where he led, supported, and inspired growing teams. Technology and innovation are second nature to Pierre; as well as having a wealth of commercial experience Pierre has also been instrumental in bringing cutting-edge medical and biotechnical advances to market throughout Australasia and parts of Europe. “His outside-the-box thinking, hands-on experience with new product releases, and results-driven approach were just a few of the characteristics that caught our attention,” said Glenn Campbell, CEO.

Pierre brings close to 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, innovation and business growth developed during various roles throughout multiple industry sectors. His broad skill set, innovative thinking and passion for growing businesses will be invaluable as Tourwriter enter what Chief Executive Officer, Glenn Campbell, believes will be “Tourwriter’s most significant year of growth to date.”

With a suite of three established tour operator software solutions and a global team of 45 to date, Tourwriter is entering FY2021 with plans to build on the solid foundations and momentum gained over the past 12 months; Pierre’s addition will be influential in this exciting next chapter.

“Tourwriter users are earning, on average, 3 times more revenue than their softwareless counterparts. Minim’s breathtaking, image-rich itineraries are attracting more and more tour operators globally. We’ve also very recently launched our new Minim Website Builder,” explained CRO, Adam Sirota, “It’s fair to say it’s been a big year for Tourwriter. Pierre’s addition to the team will allow us to focus on taking our suite of software solutions to the next level.”

The importance of this pivotal position meant it was crucial for the entire executive team to be involved in the final selection process. CEO, Glenn Campbell, said, “We were extremely impressed by Pierre’s professionalism, knowledge, passion, sincerity and warm personality and of course, his impressive track record for growing businesses,” he added, “We know Pierre is going to be a valuable addition to the team as we enter our 15th year.”

YoungTEC Chair and Vice Chair announced

The Board of the Young Tourism Export Council of New Zealand (YoungTEC) is delighted to announce that Zac Watson, ATEED has been appointed in the role of Chair and Lilly Douglas, Tourism New Zealand as Vice Chair.

Lynda Keene, Chief Executive of Tourism Export Council of NZ says, “It was great to meet the 2020 YTEC Board in Wellington last week and to hear how they came into the industry and their differing career paths. The calibre of the Board was impressive. Under Zac and Lilly’s leadership I can see the organisation is in very capable hands. There is a clear intent to grow the legacy and further develop business capability for future leaders of the industry. I’m looking forward to working with Zac, Lilly and YTEC Board.”

Zac hales from the North West of Auckland and is one of three Auckland based board members for 2020.  After completing a Bachelor of Tourism Management from Lincoln University in Canterbury, Zac returned to his home city, Auckland, and into his first tourism based role with Merlin Entertainments at Kelly Tarlton’s SEA LIFE Aquarium as the Sales Representative. This was followed by a move to the Haka Tourism Group with Haka Educational Tours as an Account Manager and then onto ATEED and his current role as Product Development Manager (Industry).

Mr Watson says “I am thoroughly looking forward to continuing and adding to the incredible work of previous YoungTEC Board members by providing a platform and a voice for young people in one of New Zealand’s largest and most vital industries. I am hugely passionate about what YoungTEC offers and fully intend to ensure we invest in the next generation of tourism professionals”.

After graduating from Victoria University with degrees in both commerce and tourism, Lilly started her career in the marketing team at the Department of Conservation. She then moved to Positively Wellington Tourism (now WellingtonNZ), where she was responsible for promoting the coolest little capital to international trade. Today, Lilly is part of Tourism New Zealand’s global whānau supporting the offshore trade teams to educate international trade on how to sell New Zealand.

Ms Douglas says “It’s an honour to be in this position and I am looking forward to working with the Executive team to continue building our YoungTEC community. We have so much talent within our tourism industry, and YoungTEC plays such an important role in developing and nurturing our young people as they navigate their career path in tourism.”

ENDS

About YoungTEC

YoungTEC is an organisation of young tourism professionals under the age of 36 years who are members of Tourism Export Council companies. A YoungTEC membership offers regular networking events with other young professionals in the tourism industry, educational workshops and a professional development programme complete with a mentor which gives you the most up-to-date tourism information and tips to take into your own workplace.

About the Tourism Export Council of New Zealand

The Tourism Export Council of New Zealand (TECNZ) is a trade association that represents the interests of the inbound tourism industry since 1971. Its membership includes inbound tour operators (Inbound Members) and attraction, activity, accommodation, transport suppliers, regional tourism organisations and tourism services providers (Allied Members). TECNZ members collectively handle most of New Zealand’s international visitor arrivals. www.tourismexportcouncil.org.nz.

For more information on YoungTEC and to find out how to become a member visit www.tourismexportcouncil.org.nz/ytec or go to their Facebook page www.facebook.com/youngtourismexportcouncil.

For more information please contact:

Louisa Turner – Tourism Export Council of NZ

027 480 7252

office@tourismexportcouncil.org,nz

Don’t bin it, share it

It’s all in the name, Free For All is a website where you list items to give away for nothing and you can get them at no cost.

We are a society of wasters. 75% of Landfill is not waste including huge amounts of perfectly good household items. And yet thousands of Kiwis go without some of the most basic household items.

It’s a bid to reduce the amount of material that goes to waste in New Zealand and help out those who are strapped for cash.

Free For All is an online marketplace for household items designed to avoid them reaching landfill before the end of their useful life.

Find out more and register here.

From fire to water – Tekapo Springs celebrates 12^th anniversary with community event and Australian bushfire family offer 

A multi-award-winning Tekapo tourism operation business is celebrating 12 years in business with the launch of new attractions and a very special Australian bushfire relief package.

The horror stories that came out of the bushfire tragedy prompted Tekapo Springs to reach out to an Australian family that’s ‘lost everything’ with a collaborative package to take them from the fire-ravaged region to the peace and tranquillity of Tekapo.

The family has yet to be told, but their dream holiday will include return flights to Christchurch with Air New Zealand, a five-night accommodation package including Accor Hotels’ Peppers Bluewater hotel in Tekapo and a rental car from Thrifty.

Tekapo Springs has donated the return flights and activities at their complex, including the hot pools, day spa treatments and a tour with Tekapo Star Gazing.

Tekapo Jet, Mackenzie Alpine Horse Trekking, Christchurch Adventure Park, Christchurch Tramway Restaurant, Hassle Free Tours – Christchurch Hop On Hop Off Tour, KJet Queenstown and Ziptrek Ecotours have also offered activities.

Tekapo Springs’ sales and marketing manager Andy Murray says they’re “thrilled” with the response so far.

“We’re celebrating 12 years of having built a fantastic business in Tekapo so thought it was time to give back to our local and wider community,” he says.

“We know after having talked to Australian visitors who’ve lived through the fires just how much they appreciate getting away from it all, so we came up with this gorgeous family package. Along with the other businesses that have given so generously, we can’t wait to host them.”

The Australian relief package was announced this week as Tekapo Springs officially launched its fun new summer activities, the Jumpernaut and Aqua Drop waterslide.

Tekapo Springs was founded by Karl Burtscher, who still owns the company. It developed over the years to become a multi-award-winning, world-renowned and year-round tourism attraction featuring three hot pools, two cooler pools and an aqua play area, a day spa, a café and bar, steam and sauna rooms, unique stargazing products, and an ice rink and snow tube park.

It operates 364 days a year, employs up to 50 people and welcomes around 150,000 people a year.

“I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved,” says Karl. “We’ve had an awesome summer as domestic tourism in New Zealand has been really strong, so we celebrated by having some fun, acknowledging our 12^th birthday milestone and giving back in the best way we can to our friends in Australia who’re having a hard time.”

Karl thanked the Albury Ice Hockey Club (now called Mackenzie Ice Hockey Club) as without their support and allowing the sale of the land, the Tekapo Springs complex of today would not exist.

“I also want to say a huge ‘thank you’ the local Tekapo and the wider Mackenzie community as without their support this would not have been possible,” he says.

Mackenzie district Mayor Graham Smith attended the birthday celebration along with Canterbury Cricket stars Chad Bowes and Cam Fletcher. The Mayor got into the spirit of things by racing the young cricketers on the Jumpernaut followed by a speed trial on the Aqua Drop, where speeds of 41km per hour were reached.

For further information or high res images please contact:

Karl Burtscher
Managing Director Tekapo Springs
Mob. +64 275 324 272
P: +64 3 680 6550
E: karl@tekaposprings.co.nz
W: www.tekaposprings.co.nz

OR

Fiona Woodham
Southern PR
P: 0274 313 270
E: fiona@southernpr.co.nz
W: www.southernpr.co.nz

BROOK SERENE ANNOUNCES HANDOVER TO OWNERS OF HENLEY HOTEL

Brook Serene announced today that they would be handing over all day to day management and marketing of the Henley Hotel back to the owners on 1 April 2020.

Darryn Whitehead and Brent Webster engaged Brook Serene to manage the property in 2018 as they had other projects they were working on; however these projects have now been finalised and they now wish to focus personally on Henley Hotel.

In a statement from Managing Director, Bruce Garrett about the handover, he said that “I am very proud of what we have been able to achieve at Henley Hotel in the short time since opening.  Establishing a great team, achieving a five-star rating from Qualmark, glowing media reviews and many, many, satisfied accommodation, restaurant and function guests.  We would like to thank Darryn and Brent for trusting us with this gem, and we are confident that we have established a solid foundation for them to continue to grow as the property matures and establishes itself as the premier full-service hotel, restaurant, wedding & event destination in the area”.

Hotel accommodation, restaurant and function bookings will continue to be made with Brook Serene until 31 March 2020.

In a statement from the owners, Darryn and Brent said “We are proud to build on the solid start Brook Serene has made in the opening phase of the hotel and we will continue with a totally service focused culture delivered by a dedicated Henley team. This is paired with exquisitely designed rooms and public spaces nestled on breathtakingly beautiful grounds. We feel this will further reinforce Henley Hotel as the ultimate corporate space, individual romantic guest escape or an exclusive venue for small groups and events in an incredibly accessible location being less than 2 hours from Auckland and within an hour from the growth areas of Hamilton, Tauranga and Rotorua”.

Henley Hotel is the duo’s 5th boutique hotel property and the pair said they are beyond excited to build on their already reimagined Manor House with additional facilities being established over 2020/2021 including expanded accommodation, dining and leisure facility options.

For all Henley Hotel accommodation, restaurant and event enquiries from 1 April 2020 please contact Darryn and Brent at info@thehenley.co.nz or on 07 823 3421.

ENDS

Please contact

Georgina Torrington

Director Sales and Marketing

Brook Serene

021 311 723

georgina@brookserene.com

Ahipara Luxury Travel is a destination management company (DMC), specialising in developing unique itineraries of New Zealand for international visitors. We specialise in luxury tourism (6,5 & 4+ star) focused on connecting our clients to New Zealand. Our reputation is for providing the most in-depth experiences that provide real and authentic connection to the country. We work with some very special people throughout the country, several who work with us exclusively enabling us to deliver unique experiences that are not available through any other DMC.

We remain committed to sustainability and are founding members of the The Conscious Travel Foundation, an international organisation of likeminded travel professionals who are focused on creating travel experiences that deliver a positive impact for the country and communities they travel to.