BKK, KUL, SGN, HKT & PEK (new) Ex CHC /AKL Now Year RoundIntra-Asia flights operated by Jetstar Asia (3k)

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via SIN

Friday 25 May 2012 Issue 2380

I n c o r p o r a t i n g Ta b s o n Tr a v e l

4 Pages This Issue

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Battle Of The BrandsThe race to be in the top three for Air New Zealand’s Battle of the Brands agent incentive could come down to the wire, says the carrier.At the half way point, Flight Centre narrowly led Stella, while House of Travel was third, and First Group trailed at fourth. Race leader, NZ’s Andrew Harrison, notes that just four days ago First was in third place ahead of HoT, and ‘a lot can happen in two weeks’. The top three agency groups will have a team compete in The Great Race in Bali in Aug to be in to win.

SFPD ReminderFollowing a query from TravCour this week, Travel Today reminds agents that the US Transport Secu-rity Administration now requires secure flight passenger data for clients travelling over or around the US (including to Canada and Mexico), even if they will not touch US soil (see Travel Today 21 Feb), but not an ESTA. TravCour’s Thelma Lorence says it is getting an increasing number of queries from agents asking wheth-er clients need an ESTA to travel around or over the US, and came to Travel Today for clarification.Air New Zealand, who has issued an advice on the issue says it requires passenger’s full legal name, gender and date of birth, as well as passport number and redress number (if applicable) at least 72 hours before flight departure—or clients may be denied boarding at check-in. For more details see airnzagent.co.nz

Daily to Los AngelesQantas operate daily Sydney to Los Angeles. Connecting flights from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch are available with Qantas and partner airlines*

*Christchurch/Sydney flights operated by Jetstar

Buoyed by positive feedback from agents and suppliers at last week-end’s Tri-State showcase, event organisers are aiming for a bigger show next year as the Australian tourism expo heads to Melbourne for 2013.The Australian event, in its second year, is designed to show off Austra-lia’s tourism offering across NSW, Queensland and Victoria, get agents to experience the destinations first-hand and build their product knowl-edge.As well as opting for one of 15 famils across the three states the agents also got to experience some of Sydney’s highlights—including the new Ma-dame Tussauds attraction, a Mardi Gras dinner overlooking the Sydney Harbour and a workshop at Luna Park. “We just really want to get agents, with all levels of experience, to re-look at Australia—over 90% of Kiwi travel is to the three states[NSW, Qld and Vic],” says an event organiser and Tourism Victoria New Zealand man-ager Margaret Spiro. “For many of the [Australian] product, New Zealand is their top international market. The feedback we’ve been getting [from the workshop] is that that they’re having some really worthwhile meet-ings and the agents are engaged.”

Co-organiser and Destination NSW New Zealand manager Sonya Law-son was just as enthusiastic about this year’s event. “The high calibre of agents was noted by many of the NSW operators and it was wonderful to have everybody over to experience SYD on such a gorgeous weekend,” she says. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase our states and to get the agents educated and excited about our product offering.”The Tri State organisers were im-pressed with the calibre of the agents, which ranged from junior right through to ‘very senior’ consultants.

. . . ReJig For 2014While the Tri-State event has a prov-en format, organisers say they will be making some changes next year in a bid to attract more agents.Agent registrations at last weekend’s showcase were down on last year, an outcome Spiro has attributed to clash-ing events, among other reasons.“We set out dates 12 months out, but due to circumstances beyond our control, and it being a popular time in terms of industry events, the agent numbers are down—and it was a little disappointing”, she adds.Next year the organisers will be targeting the consultants direct, instead of going via the retail chains, and they are also evaluating the timing of Tri-State to maximise the industry turn-out.

Tri-State Heads To MEL, Rejig Tipped

FJ $199 Child FaresAir Pacific has released what it says are some of its best Fiji fares so far this year—$199 return for children, and they’re valid over the Oct school holidays.Inclusive of all taxes, for travel to both Suva and Nadi right through to 15 Dec, they are sure to encourage Kiwi travel to Fiji, says FJ’s commer-cial manager New Zealand Shannon Currie.“It’s a good travel period and it also includes the Oct school holidays which is exceptional value,” he says. “Some of the resorts have some brilliant family deals in the market which should cer-tainly encourage travel further.”Currie encourages agent to book cli-ents quickly—the fares are valid to 05 Jun and seats are limited. Blackouts apply outbound 18 Jun-04 Jul and inbound from 08-16 Jul.He also reminds clients there’s ‘ex-cellent deals’ for couples to Fiji this winter.

Fri 25 May 12 P2

News & Product

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Sales Representative - NZ - Newly created position

Intrepid Travel are on the hunt for an ‘out of this world’ Sales Representative, based in Auckland, to assist with sales growth, optimize effectiveness of marketing campaigns, facilitate training sessions with industry partners and be the face of Intrepid in the region. This is an ideal position for a passionate adventure traveller, travel consultant or an existing sales rep looking to progress to the next level. The successful candidate must have travel industry experience, have travelled personally or professionally with Intrepid or to some of the destinations we operate trips through. If you’re looking for excitement, growth and an unforgettable experience within the industry - don’t miss the opportunity of this newly created role.For a full copy of the job description, please visit www.intrepidtravel.com. We will be accepting resumes until 1st June 2012. No application form is required.Due to the amount of applications we receive, we don’t contact candidates who have been unsuccessful during short list, however we do appreciate your submission.

London To Brazil FaresTAP Air Portugal has London-Rio de Janeiro/Sao Paulo return fares priced from $1288 for open sales and travel 01 Sep-16 Dec, says World Aviation.

MH Winter TacticalsMalaysia Airlines has winter warmer fares for sales to 08 Jun for economy, and to 12 Jun for business class. Inclusive economy return fares ex Auckland to Kuala Lumpur are from $1713, Manila $1487, Bangkok $1517, Mumbai from $1687, London $2605 and Amsterdam $2388. J class levels are from $7213 to LHR and $6788 to AMS. Travel dates vary.

QF Trims NT ServicesQantas and Jetstar have reduced services to/from Northern Territory destinations and re-deployed aircraft to the Aussie east coast. QF will reduce Uluru-Cairns from 14 to seven per week and Uluru-Perth from four to two per week from 01 Sep. JQ will reduce Darwin-Sydney flights from up to 11 per week to seven per week and Darwin-Denpasar flights from up to 11 to eight per week from 16 Aug.

. . . Boosting East CoastQF will add 11 return services per week to Sydney-Melbourne from 09 Jul, and add 11 Sydney-Brisbane flights per week from 23 Aug. JQ will add 21 SYD-MEL services per week from 16 Aug; seven-weekly SYD-ADL (from 15 Nov), SYD-Ballina-Byron, SYD-Gold Coast (18 Apr 13); three return ADL-OOL from 18 Apr 13 and four return Newcastle-OOL flights, also from 18 Apr. QF chief executive Alan Joyce says the changes will add more than 496,000 JQ and 400,000 QF seats annually to the east coast network.

Tourism Oz/DJ Tie-upTour ism Aust ra l ia and Virg in Australia have inked an AUD6 million marketing memorandum of under-standing that will use DJ’s network of international alliances to boost visitation from 10 key Aussie tourism markets, including New Zealand. “In today’s global village—with unprec-edented destination competition—arrangements such as this with DJ and their global alliance partners is a massive value-add, and so important to better sell Australia,” says NTO chief executive Andrew McEvoy.

Air New Zealand passenger num-bers increased for Apr despite the earlier Easter and school holidays last year, with demand up on both short and long-haul routes.NZ carried 1.024 million passengers in Apr, an increase of 1.8% on 2011. Demand was up 5.5% on a 4.6% capacity increase, leading to a load factor climb of 0.7 points to 83%.For the financial year to date, the number of passengers carried is down 0.6%; demand is down 1.5%; capacity down 0.6%; and load factors down 0.8 points to 83%.

. . . By RouteBoth long- and short-haul routes saw positive results in Apr.Short-haul numbers were up 1.5%, with demand up 4.1% on a capacity increase of 2.1%, leading to a load increase of 1.6 points to 83.6%. The Tasman Pacific routes saw a 4%

Air NZ Apr Demand And Loads Up

increase in passengers, demand up 4.9%, capacity up 2.7% and load fac-tors up 1.7 points to 83.7%.Long haul passenger numbers in-creased 4.4%, with capacity up 6.8% on increased demand of 6.7%. Load factors fell 0.1 points to 82.4%.

. . . YTD YieldsFor the financial year to date, group-wide yields are up 3.5% (or 5.3% after removing the impact of foreign exchange); short haul is up 1.5%; and long haul 3.9%.

Radisson Blu 30% OffRadisson Blu Resort Fiji’s 30% off special is available for one more week, reminds the resort. It is offering 30% off contract rates, free breakfast for two adults and two children, free in-room broadband and Wi-Fi in public areas, early check in and late check out, for sales to 31 May, travel to 20 Dec (black out 01 Jun-20 Jul). Use booking code RADBF30.

QF Asia, Japan SaleQantas has Asia/Japan fares for sales to 11 Jun, for travel 01 Jun-30 Nov.Bangkok, from $1159; Shanghai and Jakarta from $1429;Singapore from $1489; Manila and Tokyo from $1529; and Hong Kong from $1549.

Fri 25 May 12 P3

News & Product

IndustryDiary

For more see Monday’s TRAvEL ToDAy

MAy Peregrine and Gecko’s Big Breakfast Roadshow Napier: Wed 30, Kennedy Park, 0715 for 0730-0830.

JUNEAvalon Waterways 2013 Area Launch Nights Timaru: Tue 05, Benvenue Hotel, 1745, canapes and presentation. Blenheim: Tue 26, Heartland Hotel, 0730, breakfast and presentation. Nelson: Wed 27, Rutherford Hotel, 0730, breakfast and presentation.

Peregrine and Gecko’s Big Breakfast Roadshow Hamilton: Thu 07, Le Grand Hotel, 0715 for 0730-0830. Tauranga: Wed 27, Tauranga on the Waterfront, 0715 for 0730-0830.

Asia Travel Marketing Assn 2012 RoadshowNelson: Mon 11, Poppy Thai Nelson, 142 Hardy St, 1730 start. Christchurch: Tue 12, Coriander’s Indian Restaurant, 76 Edgeware Road, Edgeware, 1730. Dunedin: Wed 13, Golden Harvest Restaurant, 218 George St, 1730. Queenstown: Thu 14, Elaichi Restaurant, 5 Athol Street,Queenstown, 1730 start. Auckland, Nth Shore: Tues 19, Harbour Function Centre, Nth Harbour Stadium, Albany, 1730. Auckland, Central: Wed 20, Ellerslie Event Centre, Ellerslie Racecourse, 1730. Wellington: Thu 21, James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel, Chancellor 1 Room, 1730.

JULy Peregrine and Gecko’s Big Breakfast Roadshow Christchurch: Wed 25, CHC Netball Centre, 0715 for 0730-0830.

AUGUST Peregrine and Gecko’s Big Breakfast Roadshow Wellington: Wed 01, Wellesley, 0715 for 0730-0830.

SEPTEMBER New Zealand Travel Industry Awards Gala DinnerAuckland: Sat 01, venue TBA.

TAANZ AGM and 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner Auckland: Wed 12. Times & venues tba.

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Win An Alvin and the Chipmunks Chipwrecked DVD

Air Pacific and Travel Today have 10 copies of the brand new Alvin and The Chipmunks movie, released in New Zealand this week.Eagle-eyed consultants will be able to spot some familiar South Pacific sights in the movie.To be in to win, e-mail us naming five US points Air Pacific operates to with its codeshare partners.

E-mail entries to news@traveltoday.co.nz with Alvin FJ in the subject line by Fri 25 May. To be eligible to win, you

need to like Travel Today New Zealand on Facebook

Cheaper LON Accom.The number of Kiwis searching for LON hotel rooms over the Olympics is up only 19%, says Hotels.com, as it urges Kiwis to book soon with rates at the lowest they have been since Mar.The average cost of a hotel room in the city has risen by around 93% to $417pn over the Olympic period, but since Mar the cost has dropped by around $25 a night. “That’s not to say prices will con-tinue to drop further, so travellers are advised to book now if they see a good deal and not wait for bargains at such a busy time of the year,” says regional director of marketing Kath-erine Birch.The number of people searching for LON accommodation is up 300% in China, 206% in Russia and 92% in the US.

GO Asia Stop SellsGO Holidays has removed Evason Phuket and Ranadi Villas Seminyak Bali from its programme, effective immediately, as both properties have been sold. Evason is not operating as of today and existing bookings have been relocated to alternative proper-ties. GO suggests recommending Cape Panwa or Vijitt Resort as alter-natives. Existing future bookings for Ranadi are being honoured, but no new bookings will be taken.

China PackagesNewly-launched China wholesaler Acrossia has released a range of five-night packages for Shanghai includ-ing Air New Zealand airfares, on sale until Sun. Holiday Inn Express Zha-bei is from $1859pp, Oriental Bund Hotel from $1999pp, Central Hotel Shanghai from $2129 and New World Shanghai Hotel from $2109. Travel dates vary, see t-mail sent out Wed.

Crowne Plaza DiscountsCrowne Plaza has up to 30% off the best available rate with breakfast for a range of destinations in Australia and New Zealand for sales from 31 May. The Great Escape packages are valid for stays at properties in Hunter Valley, Surfers Paradise, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, Auckland and Queenstown, a n d P r i o r i t y C l u b R e w a r d s members will receive an extra 10% off with pre-sales from 28 May. See crowneplaza.com/greatescapes

New APT WebsiteAPT has launched a new website which it says continues to be an ex-cellent resource for agents. The site features more detailed information, photo and video galleries, and virtual tours, easy-to-access river ship deck plans, and brochures which can be downloaded or ordered on-line.

Capt. Cook Gault CruiseSpace is still available on the Captain Cook Cruise with Kiwi chef Simon Gault departing 14 Aug .“It’s an excel-lent chance for people to learn some great cooking tips and techniques from a master chef,” says New Zea-land sales manager Anne Radonich. Last year’s cruise was a ‘huge success’ as guests loved the cooking demon-strations and interactions with Gault during the four-night cruise, she adds. Wholesalers have details.

San Francisco is celebrating the 75th birthday of one of its most famous landmarks, the Golden Gate Bridge, on 27 May, and there is plenty on to mark the date says San Francisco Travel. The Hyatt Regency has a special Ripley’s Believe it or Not exhibit in-cluding a 13-foot model of the bridge made of 30,000 toothpicks running until 30 Jun, Westfield San Francisco will also set up a bridge replica and a pop-up park until 31 Jul, and a number of hotels including Hotel Palomar and Cavallo Point Lodge

Golden Gate Celebrates 75 years

have special packages and exhibits. On the day, the Red and White Fleet’s Golden Gate Bridge California Sun-set Cruise offers a chance to view the celebratory fireworks up-close. See goldengatebridge75.org

Luxury Collection JKTStarwood’s Luxury Collection has debuted in Jakarta with the Keraton on the Plaza, near the city’s famous Selamat Datang monument, Hotel Indonesia roundabout, key tourist destinations and large shopping malls. The hotel shows off Indone-sian culture with batik wall coverings and local woods while the 140 guest rooms and suites will have floor-to-ceiling windows and hi-tech in-room features. The hotel is the first of four new Luxury Collection properties for Asia.

Fri 25 May 12 P4

News & Product

Product Executive CRUISING

With over 30 years expertise in providing the general public with great travel experiences worldwide, GO Holidays is one of New Zealand’s most respected travel wholesale companies. We are currently looking for an experienced senior consultant with a passion for cruising or an experienced Cruise Product Assistant looking for a new challenge or a step up to the full time position of Product Executive Cruising.This role is responsible for assisting the Product Team with the development and delivery of competitive product through flyer and collateral production, preparation of pricing, administrative support and imputing product data into content management systems.

If you are enthusiastic, passionate about the travel industry and are looking for that next challenge then please send your CV along with a covering letter through to ndavies@goholidays.co.nz.Applications close: Wednesday 30 May 2012

Applicants will require the following attributes: A good knowledge of Cruise products is essential.• Experience with Calypso & Long Haul airfares is an advantage.• High levels of efficiency and a good working knowledge of MS • Software. Excellent communication skills both written and oral.• The ability to communicate with people at all levels. • The ability to work in a team and show • initiative.Excellent time management skills, with the • ability to multitask effectively and work within tight deadlines.

Product Executive CRUISING

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Castaway Island Resort Management ChangeCastaway Island Resort farewells manager Dawn Wakeham on 27 May, when she retires after 15 years (to the day) with the Fiji resort. Wakeham’s dedication, pro-fessionalism, character and compassion mean she is held in high regard by staff, industry partners and guests, says Castaway. Steven Andrews, who’s been with Castaway for seven years, takes over from 28 May, and Daniel Roy has taken over from Andrews as operations manager. Pictured are Andrews, Wakeham and Roy.

Sabre, U2 Extend DealSabre-connected agencies will be able to take advantage of easyJet’s al-located seating trial following the ex-pansion of an agreement between the carrier and GDS. The trial, currently running on selected routes across the network, lets passengers reserve their preferred seat at the time of booking.

New China RenaissanceThe Renaissance Guiyang Hotel has opened, reports Marriott’s Maggie Hunt. The hotel is located in the Jinyang New District of Guiyang City, which is also known as the Forest City of China, and features 340 rooms and 19 suites, conference facilities and six dining and drinking spaces.

Topdeck Europe DealTopdeck has up to 10% or $410 off its 20-day Discover Winter adventure through 11 countries in Europe, for bookings paid by 11 Jun. The tour is from $3686 with the discount—5% earlybird, and 5% for past passengers or those who book more than one trip.

Atiu Tourism FocusAtiu in the Cook Islands has opened its first visitor information centre and appointed a dedicated tourism officer as part of a tourism develop-ment programme that aims to grow visitor numbers to the island. Stage one of the programme also saw the renovation and opening of the new airport. Stage two, which started in Apr, will see the creation of walking tracks and trails around the island showcasing its historic sites. Visitor numbers to the island are the high-est they have been in six to eight years thanks to Cook Islands Tour-ism actively marketing the destina-tion, says the NTO.

Renault Eurodrive New Zealand says it is the fastest growing dis-tributor of the product worldwide for the first quarter of 2012, fol-lowing its re-launch into the Kiwi market and a new partnership with House of Travel. “Our newly formed partnership with House Of Travel has resulted in a significant increase in demand for our leasing product locally which has catapulted us to the top of the Renault international standings,” says Renault Eurodrive NZ’s Gail ONeil. To celebrate the partnership the company held a competition to win a Renault Megane, won by a Mr

Renault, House of Travel Success

Molesworth through HoT Ellerslie. Pictured above is HoT Ellerslie owner operator Glen Armstrong handing over the keys to Mr Molesworth.

GO Hawaii DealsGO Holidays has packages to Hawaii following Air New Zealand’s recent implementation of Seats to Suit on the route. Seven nights in Waikiki is from $1899pp s/t including Seat + Bag airfares ex Auckland and return airport transfers. Neighbour island add-ons are available for Maui, Kauai and the Big Island.

EI Europe DealsAer Lingus has tactical fares ex Ireland to Germany and the Nether-lands for open sales, says World Avia-tion. Inclusive ow Dublin-Frankfurt levels are from $210 and to Amster-dam from $208. Fares are valid for travel Mon-Thu by 14 Jun.

Abel Tasman PeppersThe award-winning Awaroa Lodge in Abel Tasman National Park has joined the Peppers Retreats and Resorts portfolio, and will be known as the Peppers Awaroa Lodge when it re-opens on 26 Sep after closing for winter. The remote lodge has no road access and can only be reached by walking the Abel Tasman track, kayaking along the coastline, taking a water taxi or chartering a helicopter. More Kiwi properties are set to join Peppers in the coming months, adds the property group.