BDM and Quality Manager for ASURE Accommodation Group

Commencing 1^st May, Doug Robinson, Managing Director of NZAG Ltd T/A ASURE Accommodation Group, is pleased to welcome Sharon McGuire as ASURE’s Business Development and Quality Manager.

Sharon has held senior management positions in the transport, tourism, education and commerce sectors, including having served as CEO for Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce, NMIT Director of Regional Economic Development and General Manager of three major hotels, two based in Nelson.

Sharon is a member of the Institute of Directors and SKAL International,  Associate Fellow of NZIM, Trustee of the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary and BNZ Chairperson Top of the South. She and her husband Ian reside in Nelson and her contact details are sharon@asureaccommodation.co.nz

Sharon is looking forward to taking on this role and liaising with the tourism sector.

For further enquiries please contact:

Doug Robinson, Managing Director

ASURE Accommodation Group

Email: office@asureaccommodation.co.nz

Air Milford is a family owned and operated aviation company, specialising in personalised sightseeing excursions with particular expertise in Queenstown and Milford Sound scenic flights. You can also charter flights and enjoy even more of the dramatic scenery of New Zealand’s Fiordland and Southern Alps.

Air New Zealand says kia ora to Seoul

Air New Zealand is expanding its Pacific Rim network with the announcement today of a new direct service to Seoul, South Korea, by the end of the year.

The airline will fly three times per week to Seoul’s Incheon International Airport from 23 November 2019 and up to five times a week during the peak holiday period from late December – mid-February.

The new service will be operated by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft with a flight time of around 12 hours northbound and just over 11 hours southbound.

Air New Zealand Chief Revenue Officer Cam Wallace says Seoul opens up exciting new opportunities for customers.

“Seoul is a densely populated city with more than 10 million residents.  Inbound leisure travel from South Korea to New Zealand has grown significantly in recent years presenting an important tourism growth opportunity for the airline and for the New Zealand tourism economy.

“We also want to encourage more Kiwi travellers to explore Seoul and South Korea.  We’re thrilled to be offering customers easy direct access to another vibrant Asian destination to add to their bucket list.  The new service will also help connect the estimated 40,000 Koreans already living in New Zealand more conveniently with friends and family in their home country.”

Air New Zealand first operated services between Auckland and Seoul in the mid-1990s but suspended the service when travel patterns changed and there was stronger demand elsewhere on its network.

Tickets for the new service will go on sale soon, subject to regulatory approvals and landing slot confirmation.

In other significant network announcements today, the success of the airline’s newly launched Taipei and Chicago routes means its will be increasing frequency to up to five times a week at peak times.  Air New Zealand currently operates three services per week on each route. From November 2019 this will increase to up to five flights per week to Taipei during the peak Northern Winter flying season and from December 2019 this will increase to up to five services per week to Chicago over the New Zealand summer peak.

Air New Zealand’s proposed schedule between Auckland and Seoul from 23 November 2019 is as follows:

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Issued by Air New Zealand Communications.

MEDIA RELEASE

Take Me 2 The World Partners with CEDA – Promoting Short Term Study Tours to Manawatu.

Palmerston North-based TECNZ ITO Member Take Me 2 The World has partnered with the Central Economic Development Agency, CEDA, to create a Short-Term Study Tour itinerary, aimed at potential Chinese international students and their parents.

The purpose of the one-week programme and itinerary is to raise awareness of the secondary school study and lifestyle opportunities in Manawatu and offer an immersive experience for students and their families to experience all that’s on offer in the city and region. CEDA is responsible for organising the education element of the programme, while Take Me 2 The World, which specialises in customised tours, will lead the tourism component.

China is New Zealand’s second-largest international tourism market and this programme is also designed to leverage the opportunities created through the 2019 China New Zealand Year of Tourism. Each year, Palmerston North hosts around 800 international students from China, 100 of whom study at secondary school.

CEDA is responsible for supporting the growth of the international education sector in Manawatu by working in partnership with education providers in the region. This is achieved through promoting and showcasing Manawatu as a fantastic place to study and live, ensuring students who are studying here have the best possible experience, and identifying pathways for international students to enter regional employment opportunities.

“China is one of CEDA’s focus markets and this programme is an exciting way to grow awareness and engage with people who are actively looking at studying abroad, and ideally have them choose Manawatu” says CEDA’s International Market Coordinator, Gatsby Wang.

The programme will take students into secondary school classes so they can experience the learning environments and culture of the education providers here, while Take Me2 The World will take parents to experience local highlights like Tui Brewery, Wildbase Recovery, Feilding Sale Yards, Te Manawa Museum, Te Apiti Windfarm, and Te Apiti – Manawatu Gorge, amongst other things.

The week-long itinerary is a road trip from Auckland to Manawatu and then on to Wellington. Along the way, families will experience a range of New Zealand ‘must-do’ activities such as the Auckland Museum, including a Maori cultural performance, Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Agrodome Farm Show and Tour, Redwood Treetop Walk, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Te Papa National Museum of New Zealand and Weta Workshop, to name a few.

The programme will officially be launched at the New Zealand Sister Cities Conference in Palmerston North, from March 21 – 23. The conference brings together mayors from around New Zealand and international delegations from Palmerston North’s sister city, Missoula in Montana, USA and the city’s friendship city in Japan, Mihara.

Nats Subramanian, the Chief Tour Leader at Take Me 2 The World says, “This is a fantastic example of collaboration between a local Inbound Tourism Operator and the Region’s Economic Development Agency. This really helps in bringing International visitors to the Manawatu Region and gives us the opportunity to provide an authentic Kiwi experience to them”.

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For more information contact: Nats Subramanian – Chief Tour Leader
nats@takeme2theworld.com / +64 27 222 4193
www.takeme2theworld.com

The inaugural Qualmark 100% New Zealand Experience Awards have launched with a bang, with more than 80 registrations received from tourism operators across the country in the first two weeks.

The awards are designed to celebrate exceptional visitor experience offerings within the New Zealand tourism sector against the three award criteria of manaakitanga, tiaki and whānau.

Qualmark General Manager Gregg Anderson says the 100% Experience Awards celebrate the elements of New Zealand tourism that turn a holiday into a trip of a lifetime for our visitors while enriching New Zealand communities.

“Warm welcomes, genuine connections and care for people and place is what turns a Kiwi holiday into a trip of a lifetime for visitors. The 100% Experience Awards seek to recognise Qualmark members going above and beyond to create an outstanding experience for visitors and local communities alike,” says Mr Anderson.

The 100% Experience Awards are supported by Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand.

Air New Zealand’s Head of Sustainability Lisa Daniell says the airline is delighted to support the awards, which support and encourage sustainable tourism.

“Our vision is that tourism drives economic growth across New Zealand, while delivering an outstanding visitor and community experience and protecting our environment. The 100% Experience Awards are set to do just that by recognising tourism operators who show care for both people and place while offering exceptional visitor experiences,” says Ms Daniell.

The 100% Experience Awards follow the launch of Tiaki: Care for New Zealand, a tourism industry initiative to encourage travellers to care for people, place and culture while in New Zealand, for now and for future generations.

Registrations are open to Qualmark partners who hold the Gold Sustainable Tourism Business Award. Partners may enter a single, bookable product, experience or activity that best reflects their core business.

The product or experience must also align with the Tourism New Zealand brand promise of 100% Pure New Zealand, which is in its 20^th year.

The 100% Pure New Zealand Experience Awards gala event will be held at Parliament in May 2019 with awards presented by the Minister of Tourism.

Winning businesses and their products will feature in premium inflight magazine Kia Ora, with monthly domestic and international readership of almost 400,000.

Qualmark Gold partners have until 5.00pm (NZST) 18 March 2019 to register their interest in the 100% Experience Awards. For more information, visit: https://www.qualmark.co.nz/en/member-area

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Fiordland Discovery offers exclusive small-group cruises in Aotearoa, New Zealand’s most cherished natural wonder and UNESCO World Heritage site, Fiordland National Park.

Our cruise experiences include both overnight and day trips in Piopiotahi Milford Sound from November to April. We focus on providing a personalised experience for a limited number of guests, allowing for a unique and immersive experience away from the crowds.

From April to the end of October, we offer scenic, historic, and nature adventure cruises in the stunning, remote wilderness areas and lesser-visited fiords of Fiordland National Park. These cruises accommodate a maximum of 18 guests.

Our 24-metre catamaran, the Fiordland Jewel, was specifically designed for the conditions of Fiordland. All nine climate-controlled cabins and the main saloon feature panoramic sea views. With a helipad, a top-deck hot tub, and plated meals prepared by our onboard chef, we ensure that our guests enjoy all the comforts they deserve.

A multi-million dollar top-to-toe makeover of the Hamilton Airport Hotel will deliver a destination restaurant plus 4-star conference and accommodation facilities for the region.

The revamped 62-room hotel will be complete by Christmas 2019 under the management of family-owned Jet Park Hotel Hamilton Limited from May 2019. Ownership of the hotel will remain with Waikato Regional Airport Limited (WRAL). WRAL purchased the hotel in January 2018 as part of its strategy to grow non-aeronautical revenue streams.

WRAL chief executive Mark Morgan acknowledged the role of Bruce Parker and his team who have leased the hotel since WRAL bought it. Jet Park, which already operates hotels in both Rotorua and Auckland, had a proven track record in outstanding hotel management and shared WRAL’s vision, he said.

“This will not be a budget-style facility. We want a high standard of accommodation with a range of other quality offerings including a restaurant, bar and extensive conferencing facilities at the hotel and terminal. Our growing regional visitor market, along with the increase in flights coming in and out of Hamilton shows the demand is there and growing. Let’s get on and deliver it.”

The existing hotel will remain open during the refurbishment programme which will be project managed by WRAL and Jet Park. Jet Park owner Liz Herrmann said the hotel, to be rebranded as part of the Jet Park group, would offer an “exceptional gateway to Hamilton and the Waikato”.

“The location and facility has absolutely enormous potential and we will be refurbishing it from top to bottom. Nothing will be the same. We’ll be starting with bed linen and ending with a brand new commercial kitchen and destination restaurant plus outstanding conferencing facilities,” she said.

“We want to create something really vibrant and take advantage of the beautiful gardens and the wonderful green space which is something you just don’t get everywhere. In that respect, we think there is also potential for weddings and other functions so there is a lot of opportunity on the site.”
As well as a Qualmark 4-star hotel rating, Jet Park would aim to secure silver status for environmental responsibility and sustainable management. The hotel would showcase original New Zealand artwork and Jet Park would look specifically for works from Waikato-based artists, Liz Herrmann said.

“The hotel will be a showcase and gateway to the region so let’s celebrate that.”

Hamilton & Waikato Tourism chief executive Jason Dawson said Jet Park was an experienced operator he predicted would do “very well” in the Waikato. The Hamilton and Waikato region is now the fifth largest market for visitor expenditure in New Zealand, pouring $1.557 billion per year into the regional economy. Last year motels and holiday parks in the region sold nearly 1.5 million guest nights.

“Based on what Jet Park has done in Rotorua and Auckland, they will do a great job and the refurbished 4-star hotel will be a very good asset to our tourism sector.”

Morgan said the appointment of Jet Park to operate the hotel would secure WRAL’s investment in the facility. He expected the hotel would strengthen the long-term earnings of the WRAL Group which includes Hamilton Airport, Hamilton & Waikato Tourism and Titanium Park Limited.
WRAL is a council-controlled organisation owned by Hamilton City, Otorohanga, Waipa, Waikato and Matamata-Piako District Councils.

For further information call:
Mark Morgan, WRAL CEO, 027 562 3351
Liz Herrmann, owner Jet Park Hotels 027 434 6282

MEDIA RELEASE

The first fully integrated airport hotel in New Zealand opens at Wellington Airport

The first hotel in New Zealand fully connected and integrated with an airport terminal opens at Wellington Airport today.

The four-star Rydges Wellington Airport hotel features 134 rooms, a bar and restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. A refurbished conference centre offering eight meeting rooms with capacity for up to 80 people will also open later in the year.

Steve Sanderson, Wellington Airport CEO, says the purpose-built hotel will offer a great accommodation option for a wide variety of travellers.

“Tourists, business people and travellers from the wider Wellington region who are flying out early or arriving late will find the hotel an ideal option – they’ll enjoy a great night’s rest and an easy walk to the terminal.”

“This hotel reflects our commitment to continuing to enhance the airport experience for the growing number of passengers travelling through Wellington.”

Rydges is part of Event Hospitality and Entertainment Australasia and Rydges Wellington Airport will be the organisations seventh Rydges hotel in New Zealand and third in Wellington.

Chad Johnston, Rydges Wellington Airport General Manager, says: “Having direct access from inside the main terminal level is unique and it’s exciting that Rydges Wellington Airport will be the very first fully integrated airport hotel in New Zealand.”

“The hotel has the added benefit of being a plane spotter’s delight – with most rooms having extensive views out to Lyall Bay and directly out over the runway.”

As well as complementary Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service, an onsite gym, the hotel will offer day use rates to cater for early morning departures and those who have a long connection between flights, providing a convenient place to rest and relax.

The hotel also features original artwork by prominent New Zealand artists like Peter Hackett exhibited in the hotel’s lobby and entranceway.  Each room in the hotel also has a one-of-a-kind commissioned black and white photograph showcasing a different central New Zealand location.

Simon White, Event Hospitality and Entertainment’s General Manager of Hotel Operations, New Zealand, is confident the hotel will be popular.

“It is a testament to the quality of the Rydges brand with our experience and service delivery to the business and conference market.  With its fantastic accessibility and purpose-built facilities, we’re expect guests will enjoy this hotel and all it has to offer.”

The hotel took 22 months to complete and is part of a wider infrastructure development programme currently taking place at Wellington Airport. The programme includes a new transport hub and multi-level car park which opened in late 2018 and a $15 million, 6,000 sqm food and beverage and retail upgrade in the airport’s main terminal taking place over the next 12 months.

Bookings can be made at www.rydges.co.nz

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For more information contact:

Wellington Airport: Renee Carter renee.carter@wellingtonairport.co.nz +6421 707 295

Rydges Wellington Airport: Jacinta Cipolla jacita_cipolla@evt.com +6421 0821 4217

MEDIA RELEASE

 Destination Fiordland takes unique opportunity & New manager employed at Destination Fiordland

 The Board of Destination Fiordland have taken the opportunity through the recent establishment of the Southland Regional Development Agency (“SRDA”) to pursue a new funding model in order to better serve its members and create greater leverage from local oversight.

As of the 31st March 2019 Destination Fiordland will be known as Destination Fiordland Incorporated and will be funded through the Southland District Council and a strong membership base having previously sat under Venture Southland.  Board Chair Gareth Davis says that by entering into this new relationship with the Southland District Council the organisation can make decisions at a community level by those who are working at the sharp-end of the industry.

The Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Madeleine Peacock to move into the manager’s position.  Ms. Peacock has an extensive personal and professional background in tourism in Fiordland being granddaughter of Les and Olive Hutchins, one of NZ tourism’s pioneering families, as well as working on the front line in tourism for over 20 years.  She has spent the past five years working for Fiordland Trips & Tramps in Te Anau and has developed strong networks in the industry particularly with inbound operators.  Deeply passionate about the area Ms. Peacock also serves on the Guardians of Lakes Manapouri, Te Anau and Monowai.  Ms. Peacock says she is looking forward to leading Destination Fiordland as it moves into a new season of growth.  “There is immense depth of knowledge and experience in the tourism sector in Fiordland and great opportunity to promote Fiordland as a significant contributor to the NZ tourism industry.  It goes without saying that Fiordland holds its head high with an exceptional natural environment however one of the strengths of the region is a community committed to sustainable growth and my hope is that the next chapter will be one of the community working together to achieve this,” states Ms. Peacock.

The Board of Destination Fiordland, Venture Southland and the Southland District Council will be working together over the next month to ensure a smooth transition to the new funding model.  The Board notes that it remains ‘business as usual’ at Destination Fiordland with the organisation being in good hands with interim manager Philippa Murrell, and team members Sarah McDonald and Shevaun Taberner.

For further information please contact Madeleine Peacock on 027 367 1334, or Gareth Davis gareth.davis@prlaw.co.nz

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With our contemporary urban style and convenient location near the CBD and the airport, Hotel Elms Christchurch, Ascend Hotel Collection™ , offers 98 contemporary and affordable suites that is fitting for business and leisure travellers.  It is also one of the city’s top venues for signature meetings, conference, and functions.  Situated in a quiet suburban area, it is effortlessly accessible to top attractions, activities, restaurants and businesses.

Hotel Elms Christchurch specialize in providing an unforgettable accommodation and conference experience as our friendly and professional staff look forward to showing our guests the best of Christchurch hospitality. Our 24-hour Front Desk provides personalized service and security at any time. We also offer complimentary on-site parking with 4 electric car charging stations and access to an offsite gym located within a short walk from the hotel.

Our comfortable rooms come with complimentary Wi-Fi,  smart TV, fridge, tea and coffee making facilities and an ensuite. Each studio unit has black out curtains and individually controlled air conditional / heat pump units for added comfort.

Our onsite Fig Restaurant is open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Gluten free and vegan options are also available as is a stunning selection of the finest wines and beers crafted both locally and abroad. Make the most of our In Room dining and 24-hour room service if you are peckish in the middle of the night or if you simply enjoy your meal and beverages without leaving the comfort of your hotel room.

From standard rooms, Superior, Deluxe, Executive Suites and Apartment, to our locally popular Fig Restaurant and Bar, you would seldom find a better stay in Christchurch.  Discover Hotel Elms Christchurch, where quality is a promise.