Anaheim - Kiwi love affair continues

MEMOYour personal magazinetwice a week

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MEMOYour personal magazinetwice a week

TUE 25 AUG

2015

IssUE841

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An Evening in Western Australia on Thursday 10 September

The continuing popularity of Anaheim for Kiwis meant that 30 agents were on a wait list to participate in an educational event that took place at Hilton Auckland last night.

The 180 agent turnout was bigger than events in Canada, Australia and the UK for director of tourism development at Visit Anaheim, Pepe Avila who credits a twenty year relationship and constant transformation for the destination’s resilience in this market.

‘Anaheim has a love affair with the New Zealand market,’ he says. ‘One in four visitors to the US from New Zealand comes to Anaheim. We have 21 partners with us in Auckland, the largest ever to New Zealand - some of them have been coming here for 20 years.’

New and evolving product means that the average Kiwi stay of six nights is not enough says Avila. ‘We have new products that Kiwis don’t know about – horseback riding, helicopter tours and zip-lining at Catalina Island. Disneyland is celebrating 60 years, Knott’s Berry Farm has the new Voyage to the Iron reef interactive 3D ride and Universal Studios is opening The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.’

Offering Anaheim as a base for a Southern California Continued on page 5

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travelinc Memo 25 august 2015 1

74 Destinations in 30 Countries Click here for our latest map

Visit Anaheim

Pepe and Pippy come to town

Pip Ashford New Zealand representative for Visit Anaheim with Pepe Avila, director tourism development, Visit Anaheim at breakfast yesterday

It was coined the ‘Pepe and Pippy’ show – the biggest contingent from Visit Anaheim ever to visit New Zealand was in Auckland yesterday hosting a high level breakfast of Auckland City councillors,

airline representatives, wholesalers as well as representatives from Tourism New Zealand and Conventions & Incentives New Zealand. This was followed by an educational event for retailers last night.

John Willson, United Travel and Andrew Bowman, First Travel Group

sharon Martin, Lifestyle Holidays; Leigh Reinhart, Outlets at Orange and Patrick Whelan, Qantas

Brian Chuan, Macy’s with sue sullivan, Conventions & Incentives New Zealand

Jason Buckley, GO Holidays; Cynthia schmitt, Citadel Outlets and Wayne Mitcham, Brand UsA

Louise sutton, Flight Centre; Petra Correa, helloworld and Leah Avila, Double Tree by Hilton

Carol Elliot, Catalina Express and Mark Freeman, Virgin Australia

Tricia Halsema, seaWorld California; Gabrielle Brown, House of Travel and Faye spooner, Air Tahiti Nui

Jay Burress, president and CEO Visit Anaheim recognises Pip Ashford’s 20 years as New Zealand representative

travelinc Memo 25 august 2015 2

The cosy corner sleeper is proving a family favourite at new Anaheim property, Hyatt Place. All 178 rooms have two queen beds and the sofa sleeper catering for four to five guests per room. Rates include the ‘am Kitchen Skillett’ hot buffet breakfast served on silverware and dinnerware (not plastic).

Director of sales, John Rozatti says the property’s location one and a half blocks from Disneyland adds to the appeal for families. ‘It’s also on the Anaheim Rapid Transport (ART) shuttle route,’ he says.

Hyatt Place Anaheim Resort’s opening last year marked the return of the Hyatt brand after an eighteen year absence with a second Hyatt to open

Family friendly at Hyatt Place

stephanie Kaplan, Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & spa; John Rozatti, Hyatt Place

Anaheim and sheralyn Black, GO Holidays

next year. Close to Disneyland on the corner of Harbour Boulevard and Katella Avenue, serviced apartment style hotel Hyatt House is due to open at the end of the first quarter.

Menage to Four Points

New ownership for Anaheim’s Hotel Menage has brought with it a new name. The property will see a Us$10 million injection when it becomes a Four Points by sheraton, ‘hopefully in the first quarter of next year,’ says director of sales and catering, Kevin Anawati (pictured).

SeaWorld California’s newest main gate expansion, Explorer’s Reef, has ‘reinvented’ the way guests approach and enter the park, according to Tricia Halsema, travel industry sales – special markets.

‘Opened last March, it offers an up close animal experience from the beginning of the visit,’ she says.

In Auckland yesterday with the Visit Anaheim mission, Halsema says visitors enter beneath a wave structure and are immersed in a coral reef that gives them the feeling of walking on the bottom of the ocean.

‘This is their first chance to have up close interactions with shark pups, rays, horseshoe crabs and cleaner fish in four freshwater and saltwater touch pools.’

A beach–themed, concierge style ticketing area provides a single location to purchase admission and sign up for tours, animal interactions and dining experiences.

Manta

New entry experience at SeaWorldSeaWorld’s newest ride, Manta,

features a 100,000 gallon marine life habitat with California bat rays that guests can touch and feed. Manta also includes a double launch roller coaster with a 54-foot drop and twists and turns that mimic the soaring and diving movements of a manta ray.

Blue World ProjectThe Blue World Project will include

nearly doubling the size of the current killer whale environment at SeaWorld in San Diego. On track for completion in 2018, the US$100 million expansion will be the world’s largest underwater viewing experience of killer whales, exceeding 40 feet in height, with a total water volume of 10 million gallons at a depth of 50 feet.

SeaWorld is also committing US$10m for killer whale research and the creation of a multi-million dollar partnership focused on ocean health.

The Explorer’s Reef entry at seaWorld immerses guests as soon as they arrive

The Blue World Project will offer the world’s largest underwater viewing experience of killer whales

Visit Anaheimtravelinc Memo 25 august 2015 3

New Zealand NZ tourism breaks recordNew Zealand has broken the three

million visitors a year mark for the first time, between July 2014 and 2015.

Government statistics show that the tourism industry is tracking ahead of schedule to achieve its Tourism 2025 goal of almost doubling its contribution to New Zealand’s economy, the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand says.

International visitors are also spending more than ever before, estimates from the International Visitor Survey, for the year ended June, suggest that the average spend

per international visitor is up by 19% and total spending is up by 28% on the previous year.

TIA chief executive Chris Roberts says the industry is aligned on its goal of maximising the spend of each and every visitor in order to reach the Tourism 2025 goal of growing total tourism revenue – domestic and international – to $41 billion a year.

‘With some other sectors of our economy not currently performing so well, tourism is increasingly becoming a vital part of regional economies and community vitality across the country.’

GST irks inboundersThe Goods and Services Tax (GST)

remains the single most important issue for inbound operator members of the Tourism Export Council, says the organisation’s chief executive, Lesley Immink.

In her annual report, presented at TEC’s

recent annual conference in Dunedin, Immink said TEC considers it unfair that inbound tour operators that are owned offshore can still zero rate the facilitation fee on their New Zealand packages.

‘This makes it difficult for locally owned companies to compete.’

TEC still growingThe Tourism Export Council

(TEC) New Zealand now has 51 inbound tour operator members and 212 allied supplier members.

The council’s president Martin Horgan says the

organisation has had a 30% increase of inbound members in the past three years.

‘This is a strong indicator that the industry and our members, now more than ever, recognise the value in wholesale distribution.

Tourism Industry Awards finalists namedThe finalists in the 2015 Tourism

Industry Awards have been named.Selected from over 100 entries, the

34 finalists across two individual and eight business categories represent most sectors across the $24 billion tourism industry, Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) chief executive Chris Roberts says.

The winners will be announced at a black-tie dinner in Auckland on 2 October.

The winner of the Air New Zealand Supreme Tourism Industry Award will receive international air travel to any Air New Zealand destination in North America, South America or Asia valued at up to $10,000 to help them grow their tourism business.

The finalists are: Emerging Tourism Leader,

supported by PATA Trust - Ross Copland, Coronet Peak Ski Area Queenstown; Sarah Greener, The Rock Adventure Cruise, Paihia; Ryan Sanders, Haka Tours Ltd, Auckland.

Tourism Industry Champion, supported by Sudima Hotels & Resorts - Kiri Goulter, Hamilton & Waikato Tourism; Jeroen Jongejans, Dive! Tutukaka; Bruce Thomasen, Skyline Enterprises Ltd, Rotorua.

Visitor Experience Award, supported by ServiceIQ - Coronet Peak Ski Area, Queenstown; Dart River - Ngai Tahu Tourism; Rainbow’s End Theme Park Ltd; Auckland SKYCITY Grand Hotel, Auckland.

Business Excellence Award – annual turnover less than $6 million, supported by Westpac - CQ Hotels, Wellington; Dive! Tutukaka; Haka Tours Ltd, Auckland.

Business Excellence Award – annual turnover more than $6 million, supported by JLT/AIG - Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa; Rainbow’s End Theme Park Ltd, Auckland; Skyline, Rotorua; Thrifty Car Rental, Christchurch.

Environmental Tourism AwardCoronet Peak Ski Area, Queenstown; Dive!

Tutukaka; The Langham, Auckland; Ziptrek Ecotours, Queenstown.

Maori Cultural Tourism Award - Auckland War Memorial Museum; Ngai Tahu Tourism, Christchurch; TIME Unlimited Tours, Auckland.

Tourism Marketing Campaign Award, supported by ReserveGroup - Destination Rotorua; Haka Tours Ltd, Auckland; Thrifty Car Rental NZ, Christchurch.

Industry Alignment Award - Art Deco Trust, Napier; Bay of Islands Destination Marketing Group; Department of Conservation/Air New Zealand - The Great Walk Story; The Middle Earth Trilogy, Te Puia; Hobbiton Movie Set Tours; Discover Waitomo.

Tourism 2025 Enabler Award, supported by Auckland Airport - Angus & Associates, Wellington; Positively Wellington Tourism; Taupo District Council; Tuaropaki Ltd; Destination Great Lake Taupo.

travelinc Memo 25 august 2015 4

News

Europe with an India stop. One way from NZ$1645

Hilton Worldwide has appointed Fiona Pryde as general manager Hilton Surfers Paradise.

In the new role, Pryde will take responsibility for the 419 room combined hotel and residences property on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

Pryde has more than 19 years experience in the hospitality industry, beginning her career in food and beverage, progressing through roles in front office, revenue management and sales and marketing before her first general manager appointment in 2009.

New GM Hilton Surfers Paradise

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Airlines, luxury resorts and technology specialists from a range of sectors and countries are among more than 100 new exhibitors which have signed up for World Travel Market London 2015.

Flag carriers such as Avianca and Kuwait Airways and high profile tourist boards from as far afield as Orlando, Tokyo and Scotland will be among the 5,000 international exhibitors at ExCeL London between Monday 2 and Thursday 5 November.

All nine WTM regions will host new exhibitors, with North America welcoming Visit Orlando and the Caribbean region seeing the debut of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association.

Latin America has four new exhibitors, including Colombia’s flag-carrier Avianca and Brazil’s Caiman Ecoturismo.

Europe is welcoming 16 new names, including Ibiza’s tourism promotion agency; tour operator Premier Holidays; and Liberation Route Europe, an international remembrance trail that connects important milestones from the Second World War.

The UK and Ireland zone has six fresh faces, including VisitScotland which is taking its own stand for the first time; Norfolk Broads boating holiday firm Herbert Woods; B2B accommodation specialist Vanilla

New faces at World Travel MarketTours; and group travel organiser The Group Company.

Asia has wooed eight new exhibitors, such as representation firm Khiri Travel, which has offices in eight countries; and the Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau.

India, sponsor for the WTM Buyers’ Club, has attracted seven new exhibitors. They include Hotel Pushkar Palace in Rajasthan; destination management company Orange; and the tourism department of the state of Telangana.

Africa has eight new exhibitors, reflecting how the market in this region is developing, including Morocco’s tourist board and the West Midland Safari Park, which is representing Ongava Game Reserve in Namibia.

Middle East has seven, including major players such as Kuwait Airways; the tourism office of the Kingdom of Bahrain; and Dubai Parks & Resorts – which will open three theme parks and a water park in 2016, including Legoland Dubai.

The Global Village section is proving again that it is another popular zone for newcomers, with 23 new exhibitors ranging from accommodation specialists such as Getabed, and TUI’s Destination Services – Hotelbeds Group, to Fox Rent A Car Reservation System.

www.wtmworld.com

Fiona Pryde is the new GM at Hilton Surfers Paradise

Anaheim - Kiwi love affair continues

holiday, as well as being a destination in itself, was another message promoted by Visit Anaheim. The city’s competitive hotel rates and transportation links combined with its location between Los Angeles and San Diego makes it an ideal base for exploring the region, says Avila.

Continued from page 1

travelinc Memo 25 august 2015 5

Pacific - New Zealand

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*Terms and conditions apply. Price subject to change due to currency fluctuation.

The Warwick Fiji has released stay pay offers for new bookings until 15 September 2015, and for travel from 30 August 2015 until 31 March 2016. Black out dates apply: 7 – 11, 18 – 27 September 2015; 1- 3 October 2015 and 27 December 2015 to 3 January 2016.

Deals start at stay four/pay three up to stay 10/pay six with a maximum of four free nights.

Inclusions are daily buffet breakfast for two adults including free nights; kids stay, play and eat free as per the resort’s

Warwick Fiji stay paykids policy (two children 12 years and under receive free meals, stay for free and free kids club for three to 12 years old); free use of selected non-motorised water activities – kayaks, snorkelling, stand up paddle board, beach and pool volleyball; free use of gym, tennis, squash, archery, billiards, table tennis and bicycles; free 60 minutes wifi per day. Applies to Garden View, Ocean View and Warwick Deluxe and Suites.

Contact your preferred wholesaler for full conditions.

Environmental officer for Treasure IslandTreasure Island Resort has

appointed Sophie Clay as the island’s new environmental officer.

Clay will spearhead long term conservation programmes for hawksbill turtles, reef restoration and rare crested iguanas, among other things.

Clay has an MSc in environmental management from the University of Queensland, while taking away The Nature Conservancy Award for Excellence in Postgraduate Conservation and Sustainable Development.

Her previous roles have been in Asia, Africa and Australia, with marine and terrestrial conservation agencies. Sophie Clay

Companies that have national accounts with AccorHotels will form a strong base of clientele for Taranaki’s first Novotel when it opens late this year, says general manager Sam Sherer.

‘We have a mix of studio and executive rooms, plus apartments so

we cater well for various sectors of the corporate travel market,’ says Sherer. ‘We see the apartments as being ideal for the longer stay corporates.’

Novotel New Plymouth Hobson is taking shape on the corner of Hobson and Leach Streets and Sherer says it is already generating interest among meeting and conference planners, particularly out of Wellington, Hamilton and Auckland.

Corporates on radar

Artist’s impression of the new Novotel New Plymouth Hobson, due to open late this year.

travelinc Memo 25 august 2015 6

Asia

New Zealand travel agents are enthusiastic about the new Philippine Airlines service that will connect Auckland with Manila, via Cairns from 3 December, saying it will give consumers a fresh choice in Asia.

‘I love the Philippines, it’s a gorgeous country and it’s fantastic value for money,’ says Ray Aucott, of Pack Ya Bags.

‘You can get a beer out of the (hotel) fridge for $2, have a boat dive for $30 and get a one hour massage for $15.’

He says Pack Ya bags represents the four star Coco Grove Hotel, in the destination of Siquijor that costs $1500 for seven nights for two people including breakfasts and transfers.

‘Value is the key, although the destination is spectacularly beautiful as well.’

Aucott says Kiwis aspire to go to the Philippines but often feel it is too much effort to get there. ‘This takes the ‘it’s too far argument’ out of the equation.’

Consuelo Garcia Jones, tourism attaché

Philippines: Bring it on say Kiwi agentswith the Philippine Department of Tourism, says that New Zealanders will find plenty to discover, even in a day trip from Manila.

‘Tagaytay is a volcano within a lake, within a volcano within a lake and it is one and a half hour’s drive south of Manila. They can drive through to Tagaytay which is an active volcano. Around there is a lot of heritage and people can see how the national costume is made.’

Jones says that for clients keen to get further afield, the Philippines has destinations like Boracay, regarded as one of the best beaches in the world, and Palawan, famous for both its diving and its beaches.

Philippine Airlines will fly an A320 four times a week, with 12 seats in business class and 144 in economy.

The enthusiasm for the new flight was reflected in a big turnout at a Philippines function in Crowne Plaza Auckland late last week.

CALL NOW0508 396 842 www.exoticholidays.co.nz fez@exotic.net.nz

CALL NOW0508 396 842

Culinary tour of Vietnam or Thailand. Call Exotic Holidayswww.exoticholidays.co.nz info@exoticholidays.co.nz

Veronica Kim and stephanie Cho, both Tourlink at the Philippines evening late last week

Janine Tuzza, Man Nghi Luong, Rachel Thomas, all Aspire Travel Group

Nirmala Patel, Our Asia; Ma Divinagracia ‘Didi’ Virata, Philippines Airlines; Neela Ranchodbhai, House of Travel

Anuschka stewart and Jaimee Crozier, both Infinity Holidays

More than 1500 New Zealanders went to Malaysia to do business for the first half of this year – many to attend global forums for their sector in Kuala Lumpur.

The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) has had a busy first half of 2015, with 661 events involving a total of 778,414 delegates and producing an economic

Kiwis head to Malaysia for MICEimpact contribution of RM264 million (NZ$97.57 million).

With 25 major events still scheduled for the remainder of 2015, KLCC is expecting a further 420,000 people.

This number excludes banquets, entertainment activities and short-lead corporate meetings.

The Palace on Wheels resumes week long train journeys through Rajasthan in September 2015, reports Exotic Holidays.

Departing Delhi on Wednesdays, the heritage tourist train runs for only eight months of the year, between September and April.

The service visits some of India’s most colourful cities and sights – the Pink City of Jaipur, Ranthambhore National Park, the Lake City of Udaipur, the walled city of Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Keoladeo Ghana

Heritage Train Journey from September

National Park. Eight days is priced from $5,740 pp share

twin. info@exoticholidays.co.nz

travelinc Memo 25 august 2015 7

Asia

InterContinental Bali Resort offers a twice-weekly art market held in the grounds of the resort.

Souvenirs and art objects range from everyday items, trinkets, fashion accessories, batik fabrics and shirts, sarongs, silk scarves, kites, figurines and woodcarvings, parasols, paintings and homewares to iconic knick-knacks and collector’s treasures not found outside of the island.

Art market in resort

The art market at InterContinental Bali Resort

Asia on saleExotic Holidays includes

a concierge service in India for all trips booked with the company.

On arrival guests are provided with a mobile phone and a contact phone number for the duration of the trip. The concierge is able to offer support and guidance on most enquiries, such as the best places to shop and eat.

The service is provided by locals with knowledge of the area, and are available 24/7.

http://www.exoticholidays.co.nz

Rocky Mountaineer will be launching a new offer, ‘Peaks and Perks’, from 28 August.

Travellers booking eligible 2016 Rocky Mountaineer packages will receive an added value of up to CA$800 per couple to customise their journey with extra hotel nights, activities, tours and more.

Qualifying packages in both GoldLeaf and SilverLeaf Service of seven nights

or more will receive a CA$400 bonus for each guest, and shorter packages of four to six nights will receive a CA$250 bonus for each guest.

The credit can be used for extra hotel nights in Seattle, Vancouver or Calgary; airport transfers; activities like the Jasper SkyTram or city sightseeing tour; meal plans or hotel meals; or an Alaskan cruise as part of Rocky Mountaineer’s rail and cruise packages.

Rocky Mountaineer’s peaks and perks

SKI Canada

Adventure World is offering a seven day winter holiday at Whistler, one of Canada’s best resorts, with daily activities.

Situated in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, and two hours north of Vancouver, Whistler played host to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Featuring two mountains which, inter-linked by a pedestrian village and the

Peak to Peak Gondola, offer easy access to both mountains providing skiing it snowboarding for all experience levels.

Priced from $1,586 per person it includes six nights accommodation in Whistler, lift passes, guided snow excursions, traditional fondue dinner and more.

http://www.adventureworld.co.nz/canada/whistler-ski-plus/

Land of the tigerAdventure World is offering a 15 day

wildlife tour through India’s Kipling country.

Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh National Parks have a variety of wildlife - ideal for viewing both predator and prey, and with 15 game drives included the chances of seeing a Bengal tiger are greatly increased. The small group journey is priced from $3,985pp. http://www.adventureworld.co.nz/india/land-of-the-tiger/

Americastravelinc Memo 25 august 2015 8

Airlines

DAILY VIA SYDNEY – NONSTOP – VANCOUVER and onto 52 U.S. DESTINATIONS

Cochin International Airport Limited in Kochi, Kerala, India, has become the first airport in the world to be powered entirely by solar power.

A 12-megawatt solar PV plant, spread over 50 acres, was inaugurated last week after six months and ₹620 million ($9.5 million).

The airport will give back more than it consumes from the grid - the solar power plant can generate between 50,000 to 60,000 kWh per day.

The airport has another 1 MW solar PV plant in addition to a smaller grid-connected 100 kW rooftop system, both of which were installed in 2013.

The electricity generated from the system will be fed into the power grid and the airport will use equivalent power from the utility.

The combined capacity of solar installations at Cochin Airport (12+1.1

MW) is more than the solar PV system installed at the Indianapolis International Airport, which holds the record for world’s largest solar plant at an airport.

(source:Cleantechnica.com)

World’s first 100% solar airport

A sustained period of passenger growth has underpinned Queenstown Airport Corporation’s (QAC) strong financial performance for the 2014-15 financial year.

The company’s net profit after tax was $8.3 million - up 25% from the previous year’s profit of $6.6 million.

Total revenue increased 13% to $24.8 million and was driven by strong passenger volumes, greater retail spend per passenger, more car parking and improved commercial leasing revenues.

The uplift flowed to operating Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation (EBITDA) which increased

by $1.4 million to $16.6 million.Total passenger movements through the

airport increased 12%, setting a new record of 1.4 million passengers in the 12 months to June 2015.

The main contributors to this increase were strong trans-Tasman passenger growth, buoyed by the recommencement of Jetstar’s Gold Coast service, and domestic passenger numbers hitting the one million mark for the first time.

International passenger numbers were up 29% to 398,000 while domestic passengers rebounded, up 6% to 1,001,000.

Strong growth for ZQN

Air New Zealand has increased capacity into Queenstown in response to strong registrations for the Air New Zealand Queenstown International Marathon on 21 November.

The airline will operate an additional 18 flights from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Sydney into Queenstown in the three days leading up to the event to accommodate the high demand for marathon registrations.

A similar number of extra flights are planned for after the event.

http://www.airnzqueenstownmarathon.co.nz/

Air NZ adds ZQN seats

Finnair is opening four new routes to Edinburg, Billund, Pula and Svalbard for Europe’s summer season in 2016.

Finnair will start flying to Edinburgh from 18 April to 27 October 2016 and flights to Billund in Jutland, Denmark, will become a year round destination from 4 April 2016.

Finnair will continue to increase its Croatia service with two weekly flights between Helsinki and Pula deo from 20 June to 12 August 2016.

Finnair also offers flights to Dubrovnik and Split, making 14 weekly flights to Croatia, and will be increasing services to Split with two additional weekly flights in 2016.

AY - four new routes for summer 2016

Air New Zealand has released new shortlife economy, premium economy and business premier fares to Asia for sales effective immediately to 7 September 2015.

http://airnzagent.co.nz

Asia on sale

Air New Zealand has released new shortlife economy and premium economy class wholesale fares to Fiji, effective immediately for sales to 31 August 2015.

Fiji on sale

travelinc Memo 25 august 2015 9

Airlines - Australia

More than a month is left to run on the ‘NZ Agents Winter Booking Incentive’ from Metro Hotels & Apartments, Australia.

The incentive rewards travel offices with $50 Westfield vouchers for every 10 nights booked – or $100 for every 20 bookings. Offices can combine sales from across the agency and qualify for the rewards. Vouchers can be used at the manager’s / owner’s discretion - e.g best sellers, future office events etc.

Metro Hotels & Apartments offers a choice of 13 3.5-4.5 star hotels and apartment properties in convenient city and coastal locations across Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Gladstone and the Northern Territory.

www.metrohotels.com.au

Metro incentive still on

SABRE RED APP OF THE WEEK: LOW FARE CALENDARImpress your clients by instantly showing them the lowest fares available over the next six months on an intuitive graph. The Low Fare Calendar Red App saves you time by doing the work for you.

Another leading Red App from Sabre©.

Industry booking site for events, tours, transfers, attractions, sports games & accommodation. No log in? Register now.

The Retreat in Port Stephens has two new waterfront apartments available in Nelson Bay. It has also added group adventure packages, couple and family offers, continental breakfast packs, group wildlife encounters, plus health and fitness weekend bootcamps.

The new apartments are single level two bedroom apartments. The location has great views and is within walking distance to local shops, restaurants and attractions.

An introductory offer is available for three nights in an apartment for A$600 up to four guests.

admin@theretreatportstephens.com.au

Retreat adds new products

Auckland Airport has released its annual results for the financial year to 30 June 2015.

Auckland Airport chair, Sir Henry van der Heyden, says the 2015 financial year was another 12 months of excellent performance across the business, which has underpinned an increase in the value of the company and outstanding returns to its shareholders.

‘Total passenger movements through

Auckland Airport were up 5% to 15.8 million, with international passengers up 5.7% to 8.1 million, international transit passengers up 6.7% to 0.5 million and domestic passengers up 4.2% to 7.2 million. This growth reflects the positive trends in the New Zealand tourism industry, which includes a shift towards high-value international visitors.

‘We have continued to see new airline routes, services and capacity.’

Good year for Auckland Airport Virgin Australia has announced the launch of new fares ex New Zealand to North America, for sales effective immediately until 7 September 2015.

VA NZ-USA fares

Jet Airways (9W) has fares to European points Brussels, Paris and London via SIN and BOM (transit) from $1609ow incl taxes. (Stopovers are permitted, adjust the tax rate). Valid for travel to 30 November. Refer to GDS or contact World Aviation Systems.

Europe via India with 9W

Five years for GBR HelicoptersThis week marks the fifth

anniversary of ownership of Great Barrier Reef Helicopters by directors Ian Johnson and Chris Cooper.

Johnson says he is looking forward to celebrating this week’s milestone, which has seen a number of investments and developments take place, geared towards securing the company’s foothold in the region.

‘In five years we have grown the fleet of helicopters from 5 to 22, established a flight training school in Mareeba, set up a base on Horn Island and built a new state-of-the art heliport in Cairns - amongst a whole raft of other developments,’ he says.

travelinc Memo 25 august 2015 10

Europe

Over 120 European destinations ... now that’s Wunderbar!

A German aerospace company is taking a fresh look at plans that it says could potentally lead to non-stop flights between Frankfurt and Sydney that take only 90 minutes.

DLR is a German aerospace agency that specialises in complex flight systems and in 2007 it designed a concept for a hypersonic airliner capable of flying 50 passengers from Europe to Australia in just 90 minutes.

The plans were put on hold at the time, but now, and nearly 10 years later, the company is revisiting the concept and laying out a roadmap to make it real.

This company wants to design a rocket-propelled jet that can take passengers to the other side of the world in just an hour and a half. And if it get enough funding, DLR says it can make it happen by 2040.

The idea involves two stages, the first consisting of a nine-engine powered rocket. The rocket engine will be powered by liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, making it environmentally friendly as well as effective. Propelling the passenger orbiter, the rocket would be capable of reaching 20 times the speed of sound in less than 10 minutes.

Europe – Australia in 90 minutes?

Albatross Tours has released its 2016 Europe, Britain & Ireland tour programme offering early bird discounts up to $1,000 per couple on tours longer than nine days when booked prior to 15 January 2016.

Albatross Tours says its small group size coupled with longer stays and inclusive prices will be attractive to travellers seeking a more fulfilling European holiday experience.

‘Every Albatross tour has the same formula and has been designed with the Australian and New Zealand traveller

in mind; small groups travelling fewer kilometres per day allowing more free time for sightseeing. A more leisurely pace with two to five night stays in each location, and categorically no later charged optional excursions,’ says Euan Landsborough, managing director of Albatross Tours.

Four new tours exploring Ireland, Italy and France are being released for 2016 including the 14 day ‘The Ireland Connection’ and 15 day ‘La Grande France’ tours.

www.albatrosstours.co.nz.

Albatross flies early bird

Rail security checks

Belgium authorities have ordered spot checks of luggage belonging to passengers of international trains starting from yesterday.

Nathalie Pierard spokeswoman of the National Railway Company of Belgium (SNCB) says the luggage will be examined at railway stations across the country, not only in the capital. Federal police will conduct the checks in cooperation with the railway company’s security service.

This follows an incident where US off duty military officers prevented a terror attack on a high speed train from Amsterdam to Paris over the weekend.

Fez Travel’s 12 day Christmas Turkey tour visits St Nicholas’ Church and Tomb, before heading to Finike for Christmas Day dinner.

The tour starts in Istanbul 19 December 2015 and visits the main attractions and sites, travelling through Istanbul, Gallipoli battlefields, Troy, Pergamum, Ephesus, Kusadasi, Pamukkale, Perge, Konya, Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys and Ankara.

Priced from $1,729pp share twin or $2,255 single.

fez@exotic.net.nz

Turkey for Xmas

Turkey, Jordan and Holy Land pilgrimage

The Innovative Travel Company is offering a 22 day tour of the Holy Land, escorted by tour hosts Reverend Mike Hawke and Colleen Doyle.

Highlights include a walk along the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem, St Georges Church, Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity; the Sea of Galilee and many areas where Jesus preached.

The trip travels through Jordan to Petra and in Turkey through Istanbul, Canakkale, Izmir and Kusadasi on the trail of the Seven Churches of Revelation.

The full tour including economy airfares departs August 2016 ex CHC or AKL priced from $12,595pp twin share, including tourist and first class accommodation, meals, entrance fees and sightseeing, transport in modern air conditioned coaches, English speaking guides, Jordan Visa, all transfers to/from airport.

It is possible to join part of the tour (Israel and Jordan only or Turkey only) and it is also possible to extend to visit Cappadocia in Turkey.

info@innovative-travel.com

travelinc Memo 25 august 2015 11

Cruising

Dreams of Tahiti - Great rates on these dates: 13, 20, 27 Nov & 4 Dec 2015Sail aboard the 148-passenger Wind Spirit sailing yacht

Tel: 0800 422 784 or 09 444 2298 reservations@ftmcruise.co.nz Click here

for flyer

*Price shown is NZD based on 4 Dec 2015 sailing, share twin, includes return airfares on Air Tahiti Nui, port charges & govt fees. Gratuities additional. Terms & Conditions apply. Subject to availability. Sales to 30/9/15 or till sold out.

• 9 nights - flights, cruise and accommodation

• Priced from $4899pp* ex AKL (7 night cruise, 1 night pre & post accomm) 

Last days for Azamara dealThere is one week remaining for clients

to take advantage of the Azamara Club Cruises ‘double upgrade’ offer.

Ending 31 August 2015, the offer allows guests a club verandah stateroom for the price of a club interior, leap-frogging the Oceanview category.

The stateroom category double upgrade offer is valid for new bookings on most Azamara Club Cruises’ worldwide voyages, for departures on Azamara Journeys from 24 May 2016 and Azamara Quest from 18 November 2015.

The promotion is applicable to new individual bookings which are named and deposited between now and 31 August 2015.

Included in the double upgrade offer is a 14 night ‘Bali & Barrier Reef’ voyage, sailing from Bali on 22 December 2015 to Cairns onboard Azamara Quest, calling at Lombok and Komodo in Indonesia, as well as Darwin, Thursday Island, Cooktown and Port Douglas in Australia.

The sailing is priced from $5579 per person.

A cruise discount card for passengers exploring on their own is available on cruises to a number of ports in Norway. Known as the Cruise Pass, the card offers discounts at participating venues ranging from 40% at museums to 25% at local restaurants, 20% at retail stores, 20% for various activities, and 10% for car rentals.

Introduced by Wenche Nygaard Eeg and Cruise and Travel Management Advisors in Norway, the card is said

to benefit the cruise lines too by increasing their profitability on guests going ashore independently; increased guest satisfaction; contributing to a stronger cruise product by competing with what she called pirate operators. The pass can be branded with cruise lines’ logos and cruise lines earn a sales commission on each card.

Around 600,000 cruise passengers visit Norway of which only about 32% pre-book shore excursions.

Norway’s ‘cruise pass’

Grand Shanghai cruiseMSC Cruises plans to make

its first sailing to China, with the newly-renovated MSC Lirica calling in Shanghai on 1 May 2016.

The 65,000-ton ship will make the company’s maiden call in China’s biggest megalopolis after a 60-day round-the-world Grand Voyage which departs on 3 March, 2016 from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

‘This offers our guests a brand new itinerary – from Brazil to China via Europe – which offers the chance to visit some of the most appealing places on earth, certainly across a huge array of people

and cultures,’ says MSC Cruises chief executive, Gianni Onorato.

‘As MSC Cruises continues to expand the destinations it calls – such as Cuba which we recently announced – we are further enhancing our global offering while providing travelers best-in-class experiences and service.’

MSC Cruises offers three different versions of the Grand Voyage, with the ability to embark in either Rio de Janeiro in Brazil (60 nights), Genoa in Italy (41 nights) or Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (26 nights), before arriving in Shanghai.

travelinc Memo 25 august 2015 12

editor@travelmemo.co.nzStu Freeman: Editor. Marcus Logan: Sub editor Ruth Scott and Aleisha Moore: JournalistsTrish Freeman and Gary Covich: GraphicsPO Box 60154 TitirangiAuckland 0642 

Ph: + 64 9 818 7807 Mob + 0274 842 863Fax + 64 9 818 7864 www.travelinc.co.nzCopyright: No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or duplicated in whole or in part, without the prior written approval of the publisher

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PEARL’s PEARLER

News

Don’t waste time and energy fretting that things are not what you expected - adjust to the reality that they work perfectly as they are.

Echo Entertainment Group has announced its Gold Coast property, Jupiters Hotel & Casino, as the first official partner of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The synergies between the current $345 million transformation of Jupiters, and that of the Gold Coast through the Commonwealth Games, made for an understandable partnership - Jupiters’ new six-star, 17 storey hotel tower will be fully operational prior to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

First partner for Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games

Sharon Salmons is the new sector advisor, visitor experience in Queenstown with Service IQ. She is working with both major tourism players in the area and small, medium enterprises (SMEs).

New face at Service IQ

Vanessa Traille has been appointed sales and marketing manager for Cathay Pacific Airways, New Zealand and Pacific Islands, replacing Mark Pirihi who has been appointed country manager in New Zealand.

Traille joined Cathay Pacific in May 2004 as an account executive and her most recent position was assistant manager, passenger sales in New Zealand for the airline.

Vanessa Traille

CX new sales and marketing manager

sharon salmons

Echo Entertainment chairman John O’Neill and chairman of the 2018 Commonwealth Games Nigel Chamier

Jet Park finalistJet Park Hotel, Auckland

Airport has been nominated as finalists in all three categories entered of the Westpac Auckland Business Awards - south for 2015.

They are excellence in marketing, excellence in customer service delivery and excellence in strategy and planning.

The Westpac Business Awards gala dinner and awards ceremony - south will be held at the Vodafone Events Centre, Manukau on Thursday, 8 October 2015.

MGM China has revealed the first restaurant for MGM Cotai, in Macau, due to open late next year. AJI restaurant will be Asia’s first Nikkei cuisine offering in collaboration with renowned celebrity chef Mitsuharu Tsumura. Nikkei cuisine is a new culinary trend sweeping the globe. The collaboration is the beginning of a number of diversified dining experiences for the upcoming MGM property. Nikkei cuisine, the art of preparing Peruvian ingredients with Japanese cooking techniques, started gaining prominence with chef Tsumura who was born in Peru and honed his authentic Japanese cooking techniques in Osaka.

MGM Cota restaurant

UK/EUROPE ONE WAY FROM $854 PLUS TAX CLICK HEREGreat service. Great people.Great fares.

travelinc Memo 25 august 2015 13