Queenstown tourism operator targets premium visitor market with business growth

A well-established Queenstown tour operator is taking a new direction in response to changes in overseas markets and dynamics.

Alpine Luxury Tours, based in Queenstown, is a family-owned and operated business with family connections to Queenstown and the wider Otago region dating back nearly 60 years.

Founder Lee Saunders has a passion for showing people the New Zealand he knows and loves, and that’s evident to all who meet him.

Having grown up in and around Queenstown, he knows the region like the back of his hand, and prides himself on enabling his guests to experience the best of New Zealand in the most private way.

“We have always been about authentic, exclusive experiences thanks to the key relationships we’ve built up over the years,” he says.

“Because of our local connections we have exclusive access to areas where no other companies set foot. If a guest wants to exclusively book out a popular local restaurant, or visit somewhere and not see another soul, then we’re the ones to make it happen.

“We’re seeing an increase in the FIT premium visitor market which doesn’t show any signs of slowing down soon, so we’ve re-branded as Alpine Luxury Tours to focus on the key emerging markets of South East Asia and to cater for Western market growth.”

Mr Saunders says New Zealand now has a high standard of suppliers and partners enabling his company to work consistently at the premium end of the market, a far cry from stale, repetitive itineraries.

“Thanks to these partners we can attract business to superb exclusive locations and know that they will have a consistently outstanding experience at every level.”

The business started operating in 2011 and Lee says growth has been “very rapid”.

“It’s hard work but very rewarding, and working with long-term guides who also have great relationships and inside knowledge means we can customise any adventure at a moment’s notice, and often do!”

Alpine Luxury Tours specialises in privately-guided day experiences for sightseeing, private wine experiences, and hiking or heli-hiking and heli-experiences to some of the most unique, stunning and exclusive parts of Queenstown, Fiordland and Mount Cook National Park.

For further media information or high-res imagery please contact:

Fiona Woodham

Southern PR

E: Fiona@southernpr.co.nz

M: 0274 313 270

 

Kiwi kids are asking New Zealanders and our international visitors to look after our home in a new Tiaki campaign.

The summer campaign is the latest phase of the Tiaki – Care for New Zealand initiative which actively encourages all travellers to act as guardians of Aotearoa. It encourages care for land, sea and nature, travelling with an open heart and mind, considering others and respecting culture.

The assets for the new campaign will be available for you to download and use in Tourism New Zealand’s visual library

Carbon Free Ziplining is now official at Ziptrek Ecotours – Queenstown

Queenstown’s Ziptrek Ecotours is stoked to be celebrating Christmas early with the announcement it’s the first Queenstown company to achieve Zero Carbon Business for 2019.

The news follows an independent assessment of Ziptrek’s last financial year by Ekos, a non-profit enterprise developing carbon projects to grow and protect indigenous forests in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

This end of year achievement flows into the company’s 2020 plan as it transforms into a Future-Fit business, a global and open-sourced sustainability framework for business. Future-Fit measures Ziptrek’s capacity to be environmentally restorative, economically inclusive and socially just, relating back to the UN Development Goals.

Celebrating a decade in business, Ziptrek Ecotours is already renowned as a pioneering eco-tourism company founded on strong principles of sustainability and conservation for which it has won many awards.

This latest achievement follows a year of measuring and offsetting the carbon footprint of its business operations with certified carbon credits, in this case contributing to the Rarakau Rainforest Conservation Project in Southland.

The project is the closest of its kind currently available to Queenstown businesses, and is used for conservation management and landowner community development in Southland.

Ziptrek is working with Ekos to support a project closer to home in 2020.

To help develop its carbon performance, Ziptrek has been ensuring all travel on flights with Air New Zealand are offset in line with their FlyNeutral carbon offset programme.  It has also switched to electricity retailer Ecotricity which is 49% community owned, 100% renewable and also certified carbon neutral, to further increase its ‘green’ partnerships.

The 5000-plus trees, shrubs and grasses that the company has planted over the past ten years on its zipline site at Gondola Hill or around the local area, thanks to the Wakatipu Reforestation Trust, are a bonus.

“They’re not included in this scientific calculation as they’re not certified for carbon, but in our mind they’re a huge bonus for the birds, bugs and biosphere in our local context,” says Ziptrek Ecotours company director Trent Yeo.

“We’re looking closely at other ways to continue to reduce our carbon emissions, such as reducing the need to travel in the first instance.

“We’re undertaking webinar training sessions rather than travelling to certain events and we reward our staff for biking to work rather than driving.

“For Ziptrek, this is an additional layer of robustness to what we’ve been doing for the past ten years, and our customers know their zipline adventure in Queenstown will be carbon free.

“As well as being the first company in Queenstown to achieve Zero Carbon, we will be the second business in New Zealand to become Future-Fit certified, and do so behind tourism giant Tourism Holdings Limited, high five to them,” says Trent.

To celebrate its zero carbon status, Ziptrek has produced a T-shirt with a graphic created by Ed Hawkins, depicting the rate of warming in different countries around the world from 1901 to 2018.

The ‘Show Your Stripes With Ziptrek’ T-shirt shows the temperature variation of Aotearoa over time and is locally-printed in Queenstown on organic cotton.

For further media information please contact:

Fiona Woodham

Southern PR

E: fiona@southernpr.co.nz

M: 0274 313 270

 

 

Full speed ahead for Millbrook Resort’s latest golf and housing development

Five years of planning is coming to fruition for Queenstown’s award-winning Millbrook Resort, developing a new golf course complemented by two high-end residential neighbourhoods.

Back in 2014 the Overseas Investment Office approved Millbrook’s purchase of 67 hectares of the former Dalgleish Farm land on its western boundary.

Seventeen months after site clearance started on the $50m development now known as Mill Farm, it’s full speed ahead as the course takes shape and building platforms are developed for 42 building sites — averaging around 2000m2– on two distinct sites within the farm.

A large upper plateau called The Grand Terrace is home to 24 sites, situated among undulating hills and natural rock formations with outstanding panoramic views over fairways and pastoral lands to the mountains that ring the famed Wakatipu Basin.

Nestled on the lower elevation, Willow Glen sites are taking shape alongside tees and fairways of nine new holes that will form part of the re-designed Coronet 18 course.

They boast north-facing outlooks over an enhanced Mill Stream which has been widened to create larger waterways bounded by wildlife zones.

Willow Glen and The Grand Terrace are surrounded by over 20 hectares of working farmland.

Work is nearing completion on rebuilding the historic woolshed which has been moved from its original location to a paddock adjoining Malaghans Road, on the northern boundary of the farm.

An historic cottage on the site will be restored and enhanced with sympathetic additions connected to this original stone cottage, which will eventually be for sale as part of a trophy site.

The golf course will be fully ‘sown out’ by the end of January next year, with cart path construction and bunkers filled during the grow-in phase before being playable by Spring 2021.

Following work to relocate the original Arrow Irrigation Scheme pipework which originally ran across the land, a new irrigation lake has been beautifully integrated into the course layout.

It is sensationally picturesque, with a jetty jutting out into the water that will be a photographer’s dream.

The new course boasts what Millbrook believes to be the highest commercial golf tee in the country at 480m above sea level.

With summer underway there are around 40 contractors on site on any given day, and Millbrook Director of Property and Development Ben O’Malley says it’s “thrilling” to see just how quickly Mill Farm is coming to life.

“When it’s something we’ve envisioned for this long, it’s extremely rewarding to see it take shape and become a reality,” he says.

“The design of the course plays through impressive ice-sculptured canyons and valleys, transitioning through a grazed paddock before returning alongside Mill Stream.

The typology of the land and clever design means that on many of the holes, houses are hidden from view.

All building platforms have been thoughtfully integrated so that each has a unique view over outstanding tee, fairways, mountain or rural views, or all of the above!”

The new development will add nine new golf holes to Millbrook’s current world-class 27-hole offering, meaning two full 18-hole courses will operate when it opens – the Coronet and the Remarkables courses.

The new development will retain a rural, agrarian feel thanks to the rustic open farm areas scattered around the course, including the high hillocks that form a natural western geographical ‘end point’.

Development of Mill Farm is the latest chapter in an ongoing success story of golf course and property development for Millbrook Resort.

While Mill Farm properties are not yet being marketed, Millbrook recorded total property sales of $45m for its financial year ending September 30 2019.

Sales of the Residences On Dalgleish have been outstanding.

The collection of five magnificent homes masterfully designed by Mason and Wales Architects is adjacent to the green expanses of the fourth and seventh fairways of the current Coronet Nine.

Of the three currently under construction, two have sold, one for a Millbrook record of $5.45million.

The third is being developed as a show home expected to open in March next year, the first in show home over 12 months.

The Frontiers, a home and land release of eight properties on Ploughmans and Wheatsheaf lanes, have also sold well this year, with six sold off the plans.

Just nine titled land-only parcels remain available at Fairway Heights and Fairway Crest with some magnificent homes being constructed on those already sold.

“It’s rewarding to see continued investment in Millbrook and our way of life by purchasers, and our earliest indications are that Mill Farm will be highly sought-after when it comes to market in autumn next year,” says Mr O’Malley.

 

ENDS 

For further media information or high res images please contact:

Ben O’Malley                                                                       Fiona Woodham

Director – Property and Development                          Director

Millbrook                                                                              Southern PR Ltd

021 397 608                                                                          0274 313 270

ben@millbrook.co.nz                                                        Fiona@southernpr.co.nz

 

 

 

 

 

 

Go Orange at it again – Milford Haven stands out from the crowd at Milford Sound

Boat renovations, a string of awards and a brand-new menu launch just in time for summer — Milford Sound’s most celebrated scenic cruise boat is going above and beyond.

The new-look Milford Haven from Go Orange has launched into its second season with a new menu and award-winning brews from sister company Canyon Brewing Queenstown.

Travellers on board Haven can now choose from a freshly-cooked café-style menu with vegan and vegetarian options.

They can dig into cooked-to-order fish burgers or a crispy tofu roti generously covered with toppings, or browse a patisserie section filled with cakes and sweet treats paired with barista-made coffee.

Breakfasts and lunches are catered for and can be enjoyed inside, upstairs or out on picnic-style benches on the top deck.

For those who fancy a tipple, an artisan cheeseboard including some of New Zealand’s favourite cheeses is paired perfectly with a Mount Rosa 2019 rosé.

The Milford Haven is the only boat in in Milford Sound offering made-to-order menu items and café-style table service, standing out from the crowd with its marriage of impeccable design and outstanding hospitality.

The Haven features velvet-soft seating in jewel-like shades, café-style booths, eye-catching artwork, chilled music, and an AstroTurf top deck with wooden bench seating, an outdoor bar and 360-degree views.

“We’ve created a whole new model of how guests can experience Milford, and they’re loving it!” says Cruise Experience Manager Tim Wells.

“The fiord hasn’t changed for hundreds of years but we have, delivering a cruise experience that goes above and beyond in creating the perfect day out for our guests.

“We know we’re getting it right, with nearly 25% growth in guest numbers last year and rave reviews.”

Earlier this year Go Orange was named Fiordland Tourism Operator Of The Year as a result of the work put into Milford Haven and its Fiordland experience. Go Orange also won the Best Activity New Zealand award in the 2019 Adventure Tourism Awards across Australia and New Zealand.

For further media information or high-res images please contact:

Fiona Woodham

Southern PR – Account Manager

M: 0274 313 270

E: fiona@southernpr.co.nz

Next steps on plastic waste

The Government will phase out more single-use plastics following the success of its single-use plastic bag ban earlier this year and the recent release of a pivotal report for dealing with waste.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has welcomed the Rethinking Plastics in Aotearoa New Zealand report, released by her Chief Science Advisor Prof Juliet Gerrard.

Highlighting there is more we can do and our next steps to tackle plastic waste include:

  • Setting goals to shift away from low-value and hard-to-recycle plastic
  • Our first target will be to move away from single-use packaging and beverage containers made of hard-to-recycle PVC and polystyrene.
  • Stimulate innovation and development of solutions to the soft plastic problem
  • Accelerate work with local government and industry on better and more consistent kerbside collection of recyclables

Associate Minister for the Environment Eugenie Sage said the report reaffirms and extends the Government’s ambitious plan to reduce waste, which includes:

  • A container return scheme for drink bottles and cans
  • Regulated product stewardship schemes for tough waste issues such as e-waste, tyres and batteries
  • A National Resource Recovery work programme in response to China and other countries’ bans on importing waste and recyclables
  • Improving waste data
  • Expanding and improving the landfill levy to help fund more ways to recover, re-use and reprocess materials
  • A $40 million Provincial Growth Fund investment to turn plastic waste into useful material for businesses and consumers.

It is emphasised that a lot of this plastic waste doesn’t need to be created in the first place.

To enhance New Zealand as a sustainable visitor destination the goal must be to make Aotearoa an economy where plastic rarely becomes waste or pollution.

The Rethinking Plastics report is due to be confirmed within six months.  Read more here.

Wairakei Resort Taupo have appointed renowned Executive Chef Jason Lewis to lead the team across the resort’s various food and beverage outlets.

Mr Lewis has a reputable name in the Taupo region having run the kitchen at Bistro Lago for Hilton Hotel and worked in various consulting positions within the region. For the previous five years Mr Lewis has been teaching culinary arts at Toi Ohomai institute of technology.

Wairakei Resort Marketing Manager Ash Palmer says the team are very fortunate to have landed such an exceptional talent.

“We are very excited to have Jason on board,” says Mr Palmer. “He’s got a fantastic reputation and there are a lot of local fans in Taupo who will be excited to learn that he will be curating our menus and delivering the exceptional food that he has become known for.”

“He has already created a concept summer menu that looks delicious and is in the process of enhancing our Friday and Saturday Night Market to ensure that it is even better than it was in previous years.”

Prior to moving to Taupo Mr Lewis was managing culinary television personality Simon Gault’s Pravda Restaurant in Wellington. It was Simon Gault who first asked if Mr Lewis would be interested in moving to Taupo as Executive Chef for the recently opened Bistro Lago.

“It was an absolute pleasure to spend seven years working under Simon Gault who is definitely one of New Zealand’s top chefs,” says Mr Lewis. “His innovative approach in the kitchen helped to shape me as a chef and I look forward to bringing new flavours and ideas to the plate here at Wairakei in one of Taupo’s top restaurants.”

With a passion for sustainability, mentoring and tapping into the talents of the team around him, Mr Lewis is the perfect candidate to take Wairakei Resort’s cuisine to the next level.

“As a Qualmark gold property Wairakei Resort is already on the right path when it comes to sustainable thinking, but I have a number of creative ideas about how the kitchen can further improve its environmental footprint,” says Mr Lewis.

As a leader and a family man Mr Lewis is passionate about putting people first which draws talent to his kitchens wherever he goes.

“I am also excited to mentor and work with the diverse team at Wairakei and encourage them to bring their own ideas and cuisine from their backgrounds to the guests of the resort and the people of Taupo.”

– Ends –

 

Ash Palmer, Marketing Manager

Chateau Tongariro Hotel & Wairakei Resort Taupo

DDI: 07 374 9693 | M: 027 319 3299 | T: 07 374 9004

Tourism Export Council of NZ appoints new Chief Executive

The Board of the Tourism Export Council of New Zealand (TECNZ) is delighted to announce that Lynda Keene has been appointed in the role of Chief Executive.

Anna Black, Board Chair of TECNZ says, “Lynda has extensive experience with inbound tourism, working with product suppliers and also experience in regional tourism development.  There is a lot of learnings from her role at Destination Kaikōura that will be invaluable to other regions experiencing natural disasters and with challenging circumstances that can affect visitor flows”.

Some of Lynda’s previous roles have included working in hotel management (THC, Southern Pacific Hotels, now Intercontinental), former Chief Executive of Tourism Waikato, the Scottwood Trust and Nelson Tasman Tourism. She also has a strong consulting background previously working for Deloitte NZ, Tourism Business Advice (NZ), the United Nations World Tourism Organisation and South Asian Tourism Council. She has worked closely with local and central government agencies and has experience with advocacy and lobbying on key issues affecting the tourism industry.

Chair Anna Black says, “The industry is entering a period of change where international visitor arrivals are beginning to soften from some markets although it is encouraging that annual visitor spend continues to produce a positive result for New Zealand. Global trends suggest more travellers are expressing the need to see value in travelling to long-haul destinations to ensure carbon emissions are adequately offset and the visitor experience is heightened. We are mindful that careful messaging will be required by our full and allied members to allow New Zealand to continue to see growth in international arrivals and visitor spend”.

Lynda holds an MBA and is an accredited PR Practitioner. She began her career in tourism in 1981 and is a huge supporter of the YoungTEC programme as a former mentor and proponent of promoting tourism as a worthwhile career option for school leavers and those entering the tourism workforce. Lynda is of Ngāti Haua, Ngā Wairiki and Ngāti Apa Tuwharetoa descent and will start in the role early February 2020.

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:

Louisa Turner

Tourism Export Council of NZ

027 480 7252

 

Luxury awaits at the heart of Queenstown Trail network with Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa

A new destination has taken bike exploration of New Zealand’s prestigious wine growing region up a notch.

Opening its doors this month, Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa offers twenty-four boutique villas, a landmark lodge for dining and intimate wine experiences, and a private spa, giving trail riders a five-star layover on their journey.

Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa has 130km of off-road biking trails at its doorstep – with the Gibbston River Trail section of the Queenstown Trail, one of ‘The Great Rides’, passing right past the property – and is set to become the beating heart of Central Otago’s burgeoning map of cycling trails.

News of the launch of the on-trail accommodation is being welcomed by Queenstown Trails Trust CEO Mark Williams.

“Central Otago’s network of off-road biking trails is steadily expanding, including the developing linkage between Clyde and Cromwell and future trails planned to connect Bannockburn and Gibbston, which will effectively link The Queenstown Trail with Central Otago’s iconic Rail Trail.”

“With Gibbston Valley at the very heart of this network, it’s exciting to have the Lodge & Spa open – adding a dimension of luxury for riders like we’ve never seen before”.

Guests can arrive at Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa knowing their every whim and need will be taken care of.

Relax with a glass of wine or soak away any aches and pains from the day’s ride, before indulging in a perfectly paired food and wine experience in the Lodge.

Then retreat to one of the sumptuously comfortable villas for a night of uninterrupted rest and relaxation before embarking on the next day’s adventure.

If it isn’t taking part in one of The Great Rides – a two-day or four-day cycling expedition throughout Queenstown, Arrowtown and Gibbston – then it’s the gentle pedal and relaxed pace that attracts so many riders of all skill level to Gibbston.

Ride a return loop from the Lodge & Spa to five neighbouring vineyards on a river trail that showcases the best of Queenstown wine country – or take one of the Lodge’s complimentary shuttles into Arrowtown for a one-way 16km trail ride back to Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa, passing over the historic Kawarau Suspension Bridge, through Kawarau Gorge and into the ‘Valley of the Vines’ for the ultimate wine region day trip.

Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa’s Bike Centre has 35 bikes available for guests to hire and a range to suit all levels of riding abilities, including e-bikes and hardtail bikes.

With an onsite repair shop and bike mechanic the Lodge is fully equipped to provide servicing and trouble shoot any flat tyres along the way.

Guests of the Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa are offered free hardtail bike rental during their stay.

“Encouraging guests of the Winery to explore our region by bicycle has always been a core endeavour of ours with the onsite Bike Centre, but with the new Lodge & Spa premises we can offer an incredibly luxurious level of respite to their journey.” Greg Hunt, CEO Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa

Luxury experience packages are available to book now at Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa including Ride the Vines. For further information and bookings go to https://www.gibbstonvalleylodgeandspa.com/.

For further media information or images please contact:

Fiona Woodham

Southern PR

E: fiona@southernpr.co.nz

M: 0274 313 270 

 

Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa – what you need to know

  • Villas feature 65m2 of private, open plan living space
  • Bathrooms feature a large walk-in shower, separate feature tub and dual basins
  • Complimentary bike use included for guests
  • Private wine tastings and intimate dinners available in the Lodge Cellar
  • Seasonal à la carte restaurant menu
  • Exciting range of wining, dining and leisure activities on the doorstep
  • Shuttles available for guests into Arrowtown and Queenstown
  • Spa features three private treatment rooms, a sauna, secluded hot pools and small gym
  • Just 20 minutes from Queenstown’s International Airport
  • Lodge & Spa designed by Queenstown architects Wyatt + Gray
  • Villa design by Space Studios

 

 

 

Young tourism leaders named as YoungTEC Award Winners

YoungTEC proudly announced the winners of their 2019 Excellence and Go with Tourism Rising Star awards.  With a record breaking year of entries, these awards recognise the outstanding efforts and contribution of YoungTEC members to the development of New Zealand’s tourism industry.

Go with Tourism Rising Star Award

The winner and finalists are:

  • Ella Spittle, Southern Discoveries, Queenstown (Winner)
  • Zac Watson, ATEED, Auckland (Finalist)
  • Moerangi Vercoe, Rotorua Canopy Tours, Rotorua (Finalist)

Ella presented her success of redefining Southern Discoveries brand and launching the campaign ‘go further, get closer, discover more’.  The judges emphasised her initiative with sustainability and her holistic approach to innovation in all parts of the business.   She is clearly a passionate and skilled marketer.

The Go with Tourism Rising Star winner receives complimentary registration to the 2020 Tourism Export Council Annual Conference, YoungTEC Summit and Xmas Symposium, as well as $500 to assist with travel expenses courtesy of the TECNZ.

Tourism Export Council of New Zealand’s (TECNZ) Chief Executive Judy Chen says “Congratulations to Ella.  She is an outstanding example of a rising star that has demonstrated strong leadership skills and introduced impactful initiatives at Southern Discoveries.  We are proud to have her as a member of YoungTEC, and now as our 2019 Go with Tourism Rising Star award winner.”

Excellence Award

The winner and finalists are:

  • Rachel Leinhardt, Skyline Rotorua, Rotorua (Winner)
  • Nicole Botting, Maverick Digital, Auckland (Finalist)
  • Anthony Longman, Tourism Central Otago, Central Otago (Finalist)

Rachel’s achievements are highlighted with the marketing campaign and strategy she has obtained over the last four years at Skyline Rotorua.  Her passion for the tourism industry is evident through the voluntary work she is involved in, including being a BYATA Board member and YoungTEC mentor.

TECNZ’s Chair, Anna Black says “All three finalists this year were of such a high calibre it was difficult to separate them. Rachel’s passion for the industry was evident. She demonstrated an impressive ability to learn from experiences and apply those learnings to continuously improve herself, her team and the industry as a whole.”

The Excellence award winner receives a two-week professional development placement in one of Tourism New Zealand’s international offices, return economy flights sponsored by Air New Zealand, and two weeks accommodation courtesy of TECNZ.

Thanks to our partners Air New Zealand, Go with Tourism and Tourism New Zealand for supporting us.  Also, thanks to the judges involvement with this YoungTEC initiative.

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.

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