InterCity Group becomes Entrada Travel Group

One of Australasia’s fastest-growing tourism and transport companies, InterCity Group, has a new name, Entrada Travel Group. The name Entrada draws from the word for entry/arrival used in a number of international languages and reflects the thousands of connections and new experiences the group facilitates each day.

The New Zealand-owned group has evolved significantly from its origins in passenger transport, with the InterCity brand established in 1987. Today Entrada Travel Group has 12 tourism and transport brands and employs over 700 staff directly and through franchise agreements.

CEO John Thorburn says the new identity clearly distinguishes the parent company from the retail brands it operates. It also sums up the group’s purpose of connecting people and places and delivering the best travel experiences, he says.

“We want to be the best at connecting people, places and experiences across New Zealand and Australia, as well as making great memories through the way we share the top sightseeing experiences in both countries.”

In addition to InterCity, other brands added to the group in the last 20 years include sightseeing tour operators GreatSights, Gray Line, awesomeNZ and Auckland Explorer Bus; Bay of Islands tour and cruise business Fullers GreatSights; low-cost bus transport network Skip; and Tropical North Queensland dive and cruise businesses Divers Den and TUSA Group.
“We have ambitious plans for growth in both New Zealand and Australia,” says Thorburn. “The new identity lays the foundation for us to continue to expand into Australasia’s most diverse family of tourism and transport brands.”

For further information, contact:
Daniel Rode

General Manager, Digital and Brand

027 491 3530

danielr@entradatravelgroup.com

Let us design the perfect itinerary so that you can explore Aotearoa in the best possible way. Unlike other providers, Tohu Experiences is also your operational team for privately guided activities throughout NZ.

With our own quality vehicles, rafting equipment, and latest model mountain bikes updated every 6-12 months, kayaks, and more, Tohu Experiences is your one-stop shop for the most amazing bespoke excursions in New Zealand.

Coupled with our amazing partners that we work with throughout the country we assure professionalism, quality, safety and flexibility with every one of our exclusive luxury excursions. That is the Tohu Experiences difference.

Yonder HQ provides software to tourism businesses that helps boost online conversion, improve SEO and make data driven business decisions.

From live chat to AI chatbots, to automating the gathering, display and management of customer surveys and online reviews Yonder HQ has a feature to suit all tourism businesses. With deep connections between Yonder HQ and tourism booking systems Yonder HQ automatically triggers surveys and review requests and gives businesses the ability to manage all their reviews in one place. 

Businesses have been saving up to 17 hours of staff time per month, converting 20% more website visitors and gathering 5 times more Google Reviews all using Yonder’s simple to use dashboard.

Get in touch if you would like to get access to a 14 day free trial.

The Royal Albatross Centre is nestled at the foot of Taiaroa Head, at one with its environment. Step into the foyer dominated by Poutokomanawa, a carved pole telling the history of the Maori people of the headland. Settle back for an introduction to the Royal Albatross narrated by Natural History New Zealand. Your guide will take you through the bird’s fascinating story.

From the Dunedin Royal Albatross Centre, it’s a short walk to the Observatory for the privilege of seeing the greatest of all seabirds. Wander through the McMillan Gallery and learn more of the history and wildlife of the area. Enjoy a snack or meal at the Royal Albatross Café and look out for a memento – you’ll want to remember the day you met the Royals of Taiaroa!

Experience a tour of the diverse features of Otago Peninsula and Taiaroa Head, an area unique in the world for the variety and richness of the bird and marine life found there, together with its human heritage of settlement and use from the days of Maori fortification to the present.

Taiaroa Head and Dunedin’s Royal Albatross Centre can be experience either as part one of our peninsula package tours combining many great attractions of the Otago Peninsula.

New exciting products for the North Island (NZ) – Snowshoeing and Wilderness Bush Experiences

What happens when the largest outdoor operator in Taupo meets an ex body guard from Duran Duran, who has worked with Bear Grylls on survival shows and created one of the South Islands most successful guided walk companies? You work together!

That is exactly what has happened with the employment of Pete Hitchman as the Operations Manager of Chris Jolly Outdoors. As a result of this amazing opportunity, Chris Jolly Outdoors are excited to announce the development of two ground breaking tourism products for the North Island; Snow shoeing, and our Wilderness Bush Experience.
Pete and his wife started snowshoeing in the South Island, “My wife and I moved to Queenstown to run New Zealand Walks. One year we decided to introduce snowshoeing. We started with five pairs of snowshoes, just to give it a try. That first year we had had just five clients the whole season. We didn’t do any marketing so no one knew what it was, but then Tourism New Zealand came on board, and Destination Queenstown. We got more shoes and coats, and from five in that first year, two years later we had 1500 people”.

Snowshoeing with Chris Jolly Outdoors is the only tour of its kind available in the North Island. A partnership has been formed with Tukino, a boutique ski field on Mount Ruapehu. The numbers on the field guarantee a bespoke experience, with CAT transfers to the top of the ridge. Snow shoeing allows anyone to experience a walking adventure in an untouched winter wonderland, and better yet, you don’t have to be able to ski, just walk! Clients are transferred to the field and provided with all equipment for a day filled with snow shoeing, snow crystal gazing, a picnic in the snow and an opportunity to learn about the history of this amazing area. Pete says “Even seeing flies in the snow is interesting as their wings freeze, so they aren’t ‘flies’ they are ‘walks’!”

The Wilderness Experience product is another first for the North Island, which is born out of Pete Hitchmans work over the years in the outdoors and his career as a personal protection agent for Duran Duran. “ At 17 I used to compete for Britain in bodybuilding. I was a heavyweight, so I was a big guy, and I used to work in nightclubs as a bouncer. Our in-house band was called Duran Duran and, as they became bigger and bigger, the manager of the club signed them up. I ended up being part of their security team with two former SAS guys. This was in 1984 and I toured through the UK and Europe with them.” During this time, he learnt bush survival strategies which has morphed into a unique adventure for clients where they can learn about NZ medicinal plants, how to build shelters, create fire and cookers out of basic every day items and how to survive in the wild. Pete says “Anybody can do a bush walk but it is about getting something out of the experience, what the client learns on these expeditions will stay with them as life skills forever”.

The exciting part of these tours, is that on a full day excursion, clients will be transported to a private area of land where a recent survey has shown that the land is filled with Native NZ parrots, bats, kiwi and amazing native bush.
Chris Jolly Outdoors is focused on creating unique adventures, and with the expertise and industry prowess of Pete Hitchman, we can promise this is only the beginning of the creation of exciting new products to offer to the New Zealand tourism market and residents.

2019 TECNZ Operator of the Year Awards finalists announced

Nine of New Zealand’s esteemed tourism companies have been recognised with the announcement of the Tourism Export Council of New Zealand’s (TECNZ) Operator of the Year Awards finalists.

They are significant and compelling awards that recognises excellence in sustainability, business systems and outstanding visitor experiences.  This is reflected in three categories: Inbound Operator of the Year, Allied Operator of the Year and Small Business Operator of the Year.

“A fantastic opportunity to highlight our TECNZ members” says Chief Executive, Judy Chen, “Our Awards are unique by providing the opportunity to our members to engage and vote for their industry peers”.

The Awards finalists are TECNZ members that are judged and selected by the TECNZ Board. TECNZ industry peers will begin submitting their votes to decide upon the Operator of the Year Awards winners.  The exceptional winners will be announced at the 2019 TECNZ Conference, Christchurch on 14 August.   Conference registrations are available here

2019 TECNZ Operator of the Year Awards Finalists are:

 Inbound Operator of the Year finalists:

• Pan Pacific Travel
• ATS Pacific / AOT (Helloworld)
• Naturally NZ Holidays

Allied Operator of the Year finalists:

• The Rees Hotel Queenstown
• Go Rentals Ltd
• Nomad Safaris

Small Business Operator of the Year finalists:

• Tongariro River Rafting
• OGO Rotorua
• Waimangu Volcanic Valley

ENDS

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 please contact:

Judy Chen

CEO Tourism Export Council of NZ

027 6644 836

Central Otago Tourism Operators Urged To Be Unique

Unique attractions and activities telling the Central Otago story will help develop stronger and more diverse visitor markets according to tourism operators representing NZ’s largest export sector.

Visiting Cromwell to speak to the local industry Tourism Export Council of New Zealand Chief Executive Judy Chen says Central Otago is uniquely positioned near an international airport and other popular destinations and clever thinking could help lure more visitors.

Inbound tour operators are the companies who bring visitors to New Zealand and TECNZ Judy Chen says her members are constantly seeking new attractions and experiences to develop their itineraries.  But she said focusing on unique experiences would be key to Central Otago’s success.

“Most international visitors spend about two weeks in NZ and can only choose up to a handful of regions at the most to visit in that time.   Visitors need to have a reason to visit your region to experience something that they cannot do anywhere else.

That’s not as difficult as you might think.  Visitors will want to be in your picturesque environment, seeing and hearing the stories of your region: and there is no shortage of great history here.’

Ms Chen says attractions such as the $6.6 million Lake Dunstan Trail would be a great boost for domestic and international tourism in the region.

“Many of our members would be interested in expanding their itineraries to include more products in regions that offer something different for our visitors.

TECNZ is very interested in working with the local Regional Tourism Organisation and Central Otago operators and on ways to further develop their unique products for the international market.

‘We want to work together with you, support your strategy and to play our part in ensuring your region has a carefully managed, sustainable tourism industry for the future.”

ENDS

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 please contact:

Tourism Exporters meet local industry in Ruapehu today

Building on the uniqueness of the region is the key to success in tourism for the Ruapehu region according to Tourism Exporters.

The Tourism Export Council of New Zealand (TECNZ) is in the region today (Thursday June 6) for a board meeting and to meet with the local tourism industry.

Tourism exporters are the companies who bring visitors to New Zealand and TECNZ Judy Chen says they are always looking for new and different attractions and experiences to develop their itineraries.

‘We, like the rest of the tourism industry are eager to further expand the visitor flow into the regions and Ruapehu’s unique offerings of outdoor mountain and bush activities are well positioned to support that.

New products such as the development of the Ruapehu Alpine lift will help develop a summer attraction for the region and potentially bring more and different visitors to the region.

But the region’s early development of sustainable tourism practices also puts it ahead of many other parts of New Zealand.

Ms Chen said her board was looking forward to meeting the Ruapehu tourism industry and finding out about new developments today.

ENDS

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. 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 please contact:

National Finalist After 28 Years of Service at the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor, Wellington

Lance Webster, morning restaurant personality and High Tea connoisseur at the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor has been named one of three Food & Beverage Employee of the Year finalists for the prestigious New Zealand Hotel Industry Awards 2019.

With a career spanning an impressive 28 years at the leading capital hotel, Lance is known for an engaging and personalised approach to customer service, consistently recognised in guest reviews and by hotel management. His award submission was endorsed further by written references from external organisations, including the Rotary Club Wellington, a long-standing client at the busy 17^th floor Whitby’s Restaurant.

Lance’s point of difference is his eagerness to go out of his way to seek and develop his culinary expertise through travel and research. Each morning he begins his day by reading the paper, educating himself on what is happening around town and what to recommend to diners. When travelling, Lance is absorbing knowledge to implement to the breakfast and High Tea service at Whitby’s Restaurant.

For example, he has attended various tea demonstrations over the years and has sampled High Teas in Canada and England to further understand distinct experiences. He knows that Ceylon Tea leaves are grown at a higher altitude and therefore are slightly lighter in taste with elegant flavours. He takes the time to share his knowledge with new team members, alongside entwinning the facts subtly into the guest experience, as outlined in the following guest review.

“A five-star High Tea experience. Lance was the most informative staff member. With a can do attitude and amazing knowledge, combined with the tea and food selection, this is a must do experience in Wellington.”

Reflecting on Lance’s success, Hotel General Manager Steve Martin is immensely proud of Lance’s long tenure, his passion for customer service and knowledge that he happily shares with new employees.
“We believe Lance is a champion for a successful and fulfilled career within the New Zealand Hotel industry and the entire hotel team are honoured that he has been recognised as a finalist.”

Winners of the New Zealand Hotel Industry Awards are announced at a premium Gala dinner in Auckland this week. An avid train enthusiast, Lance is travelling the North Island courtesy of Kiwirail on the Northern Explorer, an experience he will passionately be sharing and promoting to guests for years to come.

Media Contact details:

Jessica Taylor | Marketing & Communications Manager | James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
021 190 7368 E: marketing@jamescookhotel.co.nz

About the James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
The James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor is one of the capital’s leading hotels, known for welcoming service, quality accommodation and environmentally conscious initiatives. Conveniently situated between the leading retail district of Lambton Quay and the business hub of The Terrace, the 4 ½ star hotel features 268 accommodation rooms, valet parking, two restaurants and bars, a day spa, complimentary Wi-Fi and fitness facilities. A $12m refurbishment is currently in progress, with new Executive Rooms due to open in July 2019.

Queenstown tourism giant Go Orange supports kiwi social enterprise 

A growing social enterprise founded four years ago by a young entrepreneur has been given a huge boost thanks to one of New Zealand’s top tourism companies.

Adventure tourism company Go Orange has gifted two buses to kiwi social enterprise Got To Get Out, which is on a mission to get people active and outdoors, on free hikes and bike trips organised by founder Rob Bruce.

The trips have become so popular that Rob now works full-time on Got To Get Out, driving the length and breadth of New Zealand transporting people to and from their events.

And now thanks to Go Orange it will have two South Island-based vehicles to help decrease transport costs and time, enabling Rob to increase the social impact of got To Get Out on the community.

Go Orange General Manager Luke Taylor was inspired to donate two former rafting buses to Got To Get Out after hearing Rob speak at a backpacker (BYATA) conference last year.

The 20-seater Nissan Civilian buses were officially handed over to Rob in Queenstown today (June 21).

The rafting buses were surplus to requirements as the company has invested in a fleet of purpose-built, all-wheel-drive Unimogs.

“I like the idea of there being a different tourism model in New Zealand,” says Luke.

“There are lots of New Zealanders who don’t feel connected to the environment we live in, so there’s a bit of social good in us donating these vehicles to a good cause for the next part of their lives.

“We’re delighted to support Got To Get Out.”

Go Orange joins outdoor gear store Torpedo7 in supporting the drive to help people get outdoors and enjoy being in nature with new people.

Torpedo7 last year commissioned Got To Get Out to deliver their Torpedo7 Club free experiences around the country.

Rob previously worked for a corporate marketing agency before developing the concept of Got To Get Out while on a hike to Mt Everest base camp.

After reading a quote by Sir Edmund Hillary which says “It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves”, he embraced the concept that different people have their own mountain to climb.

“I decided to use my professional skills to help other New Zealanders conquer their own Mt Everests, and now I’m on this incredible path where a social enterprise helps deliver health and wellbeing to people who may have been feeling lonely or depressed but feel so much better after coming walking, paddle boarding or mountain-biking with us,” says Rob.

“People are coming along more than once because they’ve made friends, they’ve got active and got outside, and it improves their mood and wellbeing. We’re building a genuine community in a sector of society that wasn’t being catered for.

“It was my dream to turn my passion into a full-time job, but that wasn’t quite financially viable until Torpedo7 came on board and we now have the support of Go Orange.

“When Luke called and offered the buses, I just about jumped out of my seat, I was so thrilled and just so grateful.

“Got To Get Out is arranging South Island-based hikes, ski trips, and later in the year mountain bike and paddle board outings in Nelson, Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin, all departing from Torpedo7 stores thanks to this new partnership.

“Up until now I’ve been driving from Auckland to Dunedin, then making the grueling1500km return trip home before repeating. It’s a hectic schedule that involves huge miles, and significant cost in ferry crossings, petrol, road user charges and time.

“The Go Orange buses will decrease those costs and time, and therefore increase our social impact by helping me focus on getting more of the community outdoors, especially in the South Island.”

The Got To Get Out online community has now grown to 15,000 people.

With volunteer help and additional vehicles Rob can now run simultaneous trips in both islands.

For further information, high res images and video please contact:

Fiona Woodham

Southern PR

M: 0274 313 270

E: Fiona@southernpr.co.nz