SCOOP.CO.NZ archive pages provide PLAIN FULL TEXT search access to the Scoop archives divided into CATEGORIES. The database indexes approximately 4 months of Scoop items and is updated each night. You can search Scoop's complete 8 years of data at Knowledge Basket.
Any increase in GST could impact on the New Zealand tourism industry’s international competitiveness relative to other visitor destinations, Tourism Industry Association (TIA) Chief Executive Tim Cossar says. More >>
It’s time Auckland got on with developing the waterfront, ARC Chairman Mike Lee said today. “During the current debate around a cruise ship terminal for Queens Wharf, it has been said there must be an agreed vision for the waterfront before ... More >>
All business will be impacted by any increase in GST. However, Tourism and Financial Institutions will be more affected than others. More >>
Tourism operator representatives have joined Taupo Inc to help advocate collectively for economic growth in the district. Regional Sales & Marketing Manager for Ngai Tahu Tourism, owners of iconic Hukafalls Jet, Michelle Caldwell, said today ... More >>
Major travel initiative gives adventure seekers the chance to create & win a Dream trip of a lifetime More >>
The four VIP groups of distributors, who stayed at Millbrook in two ‘waves’ over a two-week period, were each at Millbrook for five days, enjoying welcome functions complete with a New Zealand Haka, golf on Millbrook’s renowned championship course More >>
It’s encouraging to see Auckland mayors supporting moving ahead with a cruise ship terminal on Queens Wharf, ARC Chairman Mike Lee said today. More >>
The KiaOraMai programme is to be launched at the NMIT Rata Room to over 60 invited Nelson and Marlborough business guests on Tuesday 9th February . More >>
-------- Original Message -------- Subject: SKI SEASON CAMPAIGN TARGETS AUSTRALIANS Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2010 13:47:25 +1300 From: Chantelle Taylor To: Chantelle Taylor More >>
Feb. 5 (BusinessWire) – Auckland International Airport Ltd., the country’s major gateway, welcomed more international flights on to its runways in 2009, but fewer passengers. More >>
There will be more fun for novice skiers and riders on the slopes at New Zealand’s premier ski resort this winter thanks to a significant upgrade of the ‘Big Easy’ novice area which includes a new, state-of-the-art quad chairlift. More >>
Australia’s first conservation-based luxury resort, Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa, has now become the first hotel in the world to achieve carbon neutral certification from an internationally accredited greenhouse gas certification scheme. More >>
The summer peak season has kicked off better than expected for the tourism industry, with international visitor arrivals showing strong signs of recovery. More >>
Visitor arrivals numbered 341,300 in December 2009, the highest total ever recorded for a month, Statistics New Zealand said today. The figure is up 19,100 (6 percent) from the previous high of 322,200 in December 2008. Visitor arrivals have increased ... More >>
Travellers have voted a spa resort in Rotorua as one of the best places to relax in the South Pacific. More >>
The recent summer holiday season has seen Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa experience the busiest month on record. More >>
Leo van Midden works with tied bundles of dried flax to thatch the roof of a new BBQ area at Queenstown’s Top 10 Holiday Park “Creeksyde” in traditional Dutch style More >>
Whale Watch Kaikoura has been confirmed as a finalist in the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards hosted by the World Tourism and Travel Council (WTTC). The awards take place at the 10th Global Travel and Tourism Summit in Beijing China on May 26. More >>
Feb. 4 (BusinessWire) - A 22% drop in the number of New Zealanders and long term residents departing the country last year produced the highest net rise in permanent, long term migration since 2004, Statistics New Zealand figures issued today show. More >>
An innovative free online community and resource for the New Zealand tourism industry has launched today with it’s website www.tourismindustryblog.co.nz The blog publishes ongoing online articles written by a variety of tourism industry contributors with ... More >>
Feb. 2 (BusinessWire) – Shares of Auckland International Airport Ltd., New Zealand’s busiest, gained after the company completed its $126 million equity raising, a sign that initial concern over its Queensland investment has abated. More >>
Darren Edmonstone, Senior Vice President, Asia, of Outrigger Enterprises Group, has announced the appointment of Darren Shaw as General Manager of Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort and Villas in Thailand. More >>
Not content with zipping down a mountainside for a living, a group of adrenaline-fuelled Queenstown workers have come up with an extreme way to get to their office – and get paid for it. More >>
Talk about yer melting glaciers! Where would Minnesota be without ’em? Still buried under a squizillion tons of ice, that’s where. According to the state’s Department of Natural Resources, by 9,000 years ago, the ice sheets which had been advancing ... More >>
Jan. 29 (BusinessWire) – Institutions will pay $1.91 a share for Auckland International Airport, close to the market price, after existing shareholders rushed to buy discounted stock in its 1-for16 offer. More >>
Jan. 29 (BusinessWire) - Auckland International Airport said more than 99% of its institutional shareholders elected to take up discounted stock in its 1-for16 offer that is raising funds to pay for its foray into northern Queensland airports. More >>
A photograph taken of a baby tuatara on Wellington Harbour’s Matiu/Somes Island this month has confirmed for the first time that the rare reptiles are hatching on the island. More >>
A planned five star winery-based luxury resort and associated entertainment and conference centre on Waiheke Island in Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour has been placed on the market for sale. More >>
Jan. 27 (BusinessWire) –Auckland International Airport Ltd. plans to raise as much as $126.4 million through a pro rata share offer to fund its investment in North Queensland airports that’s copped flack from investors wanting proof it will boost ... More >>
House of Travel was the main New Zealand winner at the 2009 Australia and New Zealand Cruise Industry Awards held in Sydney (Sunday 24 January 2010). More >>
Jan. 26 (BusinessWire) – Air New Zealand Ltd. has rolled out more comfortable seating and cabin facilities to maximize the comfort of its long-haul passengers to gain an edge over rival airlines. Its designs could become a valuable source of revenue ... More >>
All right, the title is dramatic, but Wintergreen is a dramatic place. With it’s sweeping vistas of the undulating Blue Ridge mountains, a visitor gains inspiration and optimism with every view. We try to visit Wintergreen at least once a season, ... More >>
Queenstown’s newest adventure activity is set to become even more popular with families after it launches its ‘tandem zipping’ experience today (26 January). More >>
The concept of "stimulus" may soon take on new connotations in the days ahead. The federal government is poised to emplace full-body scanners at airports across the nation, capable of peering under a person's garments. As noted by a former Cabinet ... More >>
Two Brazilian tourists who were doused with herbicide by a helicopter spraying gorse over the Heaphy Track deserve at least an apology, says Labour Tourism Spokesperson Kelvin Davis. “The last thing New Zealand needs is for this couple to leave our ... More >>
Please see below media release issued on behalf of Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa. If you would like further information or images please contact me. More >>
Lonely Planet is celebrating the publication of its 100 millionth guidebook by inviting travellers to share photographs of their favourite travel experiences online. More >>
Media release Coromandel baches still number one for many Kiwis Bookabach announces the top 10 bach destinations this summer Owning a bach at the beach may now be out of reach for many New Zealanders, but with increasing numbers of baches becoming ... More >>
Over three quarters of metropolitan Australians who have visited Wellington want to return; but those who haven’t been to New Zealanders’ favourite destination* have limited knowledge about the city, according to market research. More >>
All of New Zealand will benefit from the new $10 million tourism marketing fund, Tourism Industry Association (TIA) Chief Executive Tim Cossar says. Details of the allocation of the Government’s share of the funding were released by Prime Minister ... More >>
The announcement today by the Minister of Tourism, Prime Minister John Key, detailing the allocation of the $10 million Joint Venture funding between Regional Tourism Organisations, the private sector and Tourism New Zealand, is the culmination of ... More >>
Warm climes may be the "traditional" wedding choice but one Australian couple has bucked the trend, opting for a special winter wonderland wedding at New Zealand’s Aoraki Mount Cook this week. More >>
Changes to the tax system, particularly GST, could reduce the international competitiveness of New Zealand’s multi-billion dollar tourism industry, Tourism Industry Association (TIA) Chief Executive Tim Cossar says. More >>
Changes to the tax system, particularly GST, could reduce the international competitiveness of New Zealand’s multi-billion dollar tourism industry, Tourism Industry Association (TIA) Chief Executive Tim Cossar says. More >>
Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, John Key, has announced that eight groups will share $5 million to market their regions. This fund will be matched with Regional Tourism Organisations (RTO) and private sector funding to create an unprecedented ... More >>
Changes to the tax system, particularly GST, could reduce the international competitiveness of New Zealand’s multi-billion dollar tourism industry, Tourism Industry Association (TIA) Chief Executive Tim Cossar says. More >>
NEW ZEALAND’S LARGEST TRAVEL EXPO KICKS OFF IN CHRISTCHURCH ON 30 JANUARY WHAT: The 2010 Travel Expo, Christchurch WHAT: New Zealand’s largest travel expo brings together more than 70 suppliers showcasing destinations from around the world. The ... More >>
If I’d been living in 1840 where I live today, the last line of my mailing address would have read “Mexico”. Twenty years earlier it would have read “New Spain”, but the 1821 Mexican Revolution resulted in the ousting of a colonial power and its ... More >>
The 31st New Zealand Classic Motorcycle Festival at Pukekohe next month will be bliss for bikers, with more than 250 riders from five countries and events for more than 350 bikes. More >>
“We would ask the Government to show restraint in looking at any movement in the Minimum Wage” said Michael Baines Chief Executive of the Motel As“This is a far more complex issue than is being portrayed. More >>
From a walkabout outside the newly opened Supreme Court, Prince William was whisked away from the public gaze to an island nature sanctuary where endangered New Zealand birds live in a safe predator-free environment. More >>
Labour's Associate Maori Affairs Spokesperson Kelvin Davis has welcomed moves for 90 Mile Beach to revert to its original name of Te-One-Roa-a-Tohe. More >>
Overnight stays by international visitors in commercial accommodation in the South Island were up 5 percent in the November 2009 month compared with the previous November, Statistics New Zealand said today. More >>
A 'traditional Maori' charging tourists five dollars for a photo with him resplendent in his felt pen moko should be allowed to go for it if he's giving tourists something they want, says Labour Tourism Spokesperson Kelvin Davis. Mr Davis was commenting ... More >>
Prince William’s visit to New Zealand has already paid for itself. The worldwide coverage of our Prince’s visit is extensive, and very valuable to New Zealand. Coverage of trip is being widely reported already in the UK and Australian Press. More >>
Air New Zealand being named ‘Airline of the Year’ is an enormous achievement that will also reflect favourably on the country’s tourism industry. The award has just been announced by Air Transport World, the leading international airline ... More >>
Murray McCully’s bungled handling of the Rugby World Cup has once again forced the Prime Minister to step in and try and clean up his mess, raising real questions about whether he’s up to the job, says Labour’s Auckland Issues spokesperson ... More >>
On a weekend with the arctic blasting the whole northern hemisphere, it is great for skiers and boarders to be able to go to Intrawest’s destination resort Snowshoe Mountain, West Virginia, which offers so many alternative activities and wonderful ... More >>
Jan. 13 (BusinessWire) - The following stocks may be active on the New Zealand exchange after developments since the close of trading last week. All prices are in New Zealand dollars unless specified. More >>
More than 14,000 holiday-makers will cruise into Lyttelton Harbour over the next two weeks as the port plays host to a steady stream of passenger-laden cruise ships. More >>
The future of Queens Wharf must be determined by Aucklanders, not Government ministers intent on railroading through a rushed development at ratepayers’ expense, says Labour’s Auckland Issues spokesperson Phil Twyford. More >>
Air New Zealand will increase trans-Tasman capacity between Australia and Queenstown by a further 20% this coming ski season, taking the total number of direct services to 12 per week. For the peak July and August periods, return services from Sydney ... More >>
The world’s largest student and young persons travel agency STA Travel, has released a bucket list of the ten must do adventures to tick off before you turn 30. More >>
"The possibility of ramping up GST from 12.5% to 15% or 17.5% was one of the measure’s promoted by Government’s Tax Working Group late last year. However incentivising tourism spending would bring greater economic benefits in the longer term," says ... More >>
Wotif.com today revealed Kiwi domestic travellers’ favourite destinations in 2009, according to the top 20 locations booked through the leading online accommodation website. More >>
Emirates will serve Jeddah in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia four times weekly with the A380 super-jumbo from February 1, 2010. Jeddah will be the eighth destination to be added to the growing list of gateways served by the A380 - Sydney, Auckland, ... More >>
Emirates will serve Jeddah in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia four times weekly with the A380 super-jumbo from February 1, 2010. More >>
Warm weather and $5 million dollars worth of new facilities seem to be finding favour with a new world of visitors to Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Admissions are up, and the faces are changing. More >>
House of Travel’s Retail Director Brent Thomas says despite it being the biggest party of the year in some parts of the world, Kiwis have never really made a big fuss over New Year’s Eve. More >>
Who moo? There’s a contract job that comes up every year in Wisconsin for which the incumbent receives a salary of $40,000, professional travel expenses and a mink garment from the Kettle Moraine Mink Breeders Association. The lucky contractor also ... More >>
It’s Christmas Eve, and what better place to spend it than Algona, Iowa. This small town in northwestern Iowa was the site of a prisoner of war camp during WWII, which captured German soldiers were shipped to from the theaters in Europe and North Africa. ... More >>
WWF is asking communities along the west coast of the North Island to get in touch if they are lucky enough to see rare Maui's dolphins amongst the waves this summer. More >>
Queenstown rafting company Family Adventures is looking forward to a busy summer as a ‘soft adventure’ option for holidaymaking families in the region. More >>
The Ministry of Tourism’s Cycle Trail team has received 53 funding proposals for Phase 2 of Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail project - a number that promises to keep the assessment team busy over the Christmas break. More >>
Gap Adventures guarantees all Africa overland departures through mid-2010, provides travellers and agents with peace of mind More >>
Air New Zealand will from July operate direct services between Sydney and the Cook Islands , making it the first airline to operate direct services between the two nations. More >>
The Commerce Commission has warned a travel agency that some of its advertising and promotions of travel deals risk breaching the Fair Trading Act. The Commission has issued warnings in relation to Flight Centre New Zealand’s advertising between ... More >>
A tourism professional with 15 years tourism marketing experience has been appointed to the top role at Destination Queenstown, Queenstown’s regional tourism organisation. More >>
Dec. 22 (BusinessWire) – Air New Zealand, the national carrier, slowed the decline in passenger numbers last month, amid signs of increased demand on North American and domestic routes. More >>
Thousands of Kiwis are packing their bags and getting ready to hit the beach as the busy holiday season looms. Over 2.4 million people will visit New Zealand ’s most popular playground this summer – and Surf Life Saving encourages people to take ... More >>
I have a theory about Texas—it merely wants to rule the universe. One of my acquaintances so hates what the place stands for she has never set foot in it. Another acquaintance is a Texan so amiable that I can safely espouse my Texas conspiracy theory to her ... More >>
International visitor arrivals figures out today have confirmed that it has been a slow start to the peak season for the New Zealand tourism industry. More >>
New Zealand’s net migrant inflow surges as more kiwis stay at home during recession More >>
Environment Canterbury today submitted a concept proposal for a cycle trail to form part of the Nga Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trail – one of the Government’s initiatives to boost employment and economic development across New Zealand. The proposed trail, ... More >>
New Zealand’s convention sector is having its research base strengthened with an improved measurement system. The upgraded Convention Activity Survey (CAS) run by The Ministry of Tourism gathers high quality data online and delivers it back to ... More >>
Canterbury District Health Board’s Community and Public Health Division is trying to identify 28 passengers who arrived in Christchurch on flight NZ509 from Auckland on Monday 7 December and were sitting near a child with confirmed measles. More >>
A New Zealand-based consortium led by the Experience Group, in partnership with the Eden Park Trust and Auckland Rugby, is one of just two successful bidders from an international tender process for the rights to market Official Corporate Hospitality ... More >>
Small tourism operators in the Lakes District and Southland have been given a boost by a new Tourism Exchange New Zealand service, providing the technology and presence to give them a chance against the larger players. “Real Journeys and Southern Discoveries ... More >>
What a different a decade makes. Ten years ago, Queenstown in New Zealand, was the adventure capital of the world, only to become became the adrenalin-junkies’ capital of the world. Today, the world-award winning alpine village with billion dollar views ... More >>
Tourism providers in the Upper South Island are benefiting from the brand new Tourism Exchange system, which allows them to contract and transact in real time. New operators in Nelson are taking advantage of this online marketplace, without having to spend ... More >>
Discount Premium Holidays Limited, a New Zealand registered company that operated from Australia selling holiday vouchers in New Zealand, has pleaded guilty to 38 charges of breaching the Fair Trading Act and has been fined $209,000 in the Auckland ... More >>
Visitors to Rotorua will have a new first-class accommodation choice as the new 5-star Wai Ora Lakeside Spa Resort joins the Choice Hotels Australasia’s Clarion Collection brand. More >>
Experience ultimate five star luxury at The Westin Auckland Lighter Quay this holiday season for just half price! More >>
Prime Minister John Key has been challenged to oppose development of 16 giant dairy farms in the fragile Mackenzie Basin after it has emerged that resource consents for the farms have already been granted without public notification. More >>
Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) and Rugby Travel and Hospitality (NZ) Limited (RTH) are pleased to announce the appointed Official Corporate Hospitality Agents (OCHAs) for Rugby World Cup 2011, New Zealand. More >>
Nicky Busst’s feet haven’t touched the ground since she zipped up the job of marketing and sales manager for Queenstown’s newest adventure tourism activity. More >>
Rotorua has the world's newest international airport. On Saturday (December 12) the city hosted the inaugural flight of Air New Zealand's new twice-weekly direct A320 service between Sydney and Rotorua and Mayor Kevin Winters was on board. Mayor Winters ... More >>
The long running saga of where Paraparaumu’s Visitor Information Centre will go has been solved. Before the end of the summer it will move to new premises in Coastlands facing onto Rimu Road in the building currently housing GJ Gardiner and the PSIS, ... More >>
Monday 14 December 2009: Pacific Blue’s award-winning Velocity Rewards loyalty program is expanding its membership base to include seven new Pacific countries. More >>
The Tourism Industry Monitor shows that the confidence levels of tourism sector operators continue to improve. Ministry of Tourism Research Manager, Bruce Bassett, said that overall, optimism in the industry was tracking in the right direction, although this ... More >>
The Inbound Tour Operators Council of New Zealand (ITOC) is concerned that any increase in the level of GST will have a major impact on tourism. More >>
Dec. 11 (BusinessWire) – Jasons Travel Media Ltd., the travel and accommodation guide publisher formerly run by Communications Minister Steven Joyce, expects to post a smaller profit this year as it looks to expand its Australian business. More >>
New Zealand has the world’s first user driven map showing the location and intensity of sandflies. After years of hearing about how “surprised” people were by the sandflies, Becky Cashman of Goodbye Sandfly launched the NZ Sandfly Report last month. ... More >>
Dec. 11 (BusinessWire) - Stronger than expected passenger numbers have buoyed Auckland International Airport Ltd's profit expectations for the year to March 2010, despite many airlines continuing to use smaller aircraft while awaiting firmer global recovery. More >>
Concerns about the numbers of elderly using SuperGold discounts to visit Waiheke Island is a precursor to Government cutbacks in entitlements, Labour Senior Citizens spokesperson Ross Robertson says. More >>
Local Government Minister Rodney Hide hit a new low in credibility today with revelations about how little work he did on his world trip, says Labour’s Auckland Issues spokesperson Phil Twyford. More >>
Customs Minister Maurice Williamson needs to explain why Hamilton International Airport is being lumped with a $450,000 bill to pay for immigration services, Labour’s customs spokesperson Sua William Sio said today. More >>
International guest nights in short-term commercial accommodation were up 5 percent in October 2009 compared with October 2008, Statistics New Zealand said today. However, domestic guest nights were down 2 percent. Total guest nights in October 2009 were ... More >>
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for the invitation to say a few words to you this evening. For most New Zealanders, Antarctica is a place of pristine beauty lying just beyond the horizon. We feel its presence during winter storms, but few of us ... More >>
Songs about mascot Ferdy the Bull, old newsreels about the search for oil, Roy Brewster’s ‘Beehive House’, and images of Len Lye, calf club days, Polish settlers and iconic Mount Taranaki all feature in a new entry on Taranaki in Te Ara – the online Encyclopedia ... More >>
Seeking fun in the sun for your summer holidays? Then make a beeline for Christchurch and the World Buskers’ Festival. More >>
Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) is taking a key role at the Antarctic Treaty Meeting of Experts being held in Wellington from today. More >>
This week’s meeting on managing tourist shipping in Antarctic waters must find ways to prevent a humanitarian or environmental disaster happening there, Foreign Minister Murray McCully said today. The three-day meeting which starts in Wellington ... More >>
The hills were alive with the sound of music last week when more than 150 locals and guests turned out to hear the Christchurch Youth Symphony Orchestra play at Aoraki Mount Cook. More >>
An unexpected Christmas present from tourism leader Shotover Jet has guaranteed all Wakatipu High Year 10 students will get the chance to partake in next year’s previously endangered Branches Camp. More >>
Ziptrek Ecotours is a spectacular two hour flying fox operation and interpretative guided tour in the forest canopy atop Skyline Gondola, high above Queenstown. More >>
Major Bollywood production company Dharma Productions will film in Queenstown in late January, putting New Zealand on screen in front of as many as 150 million viewers. More >>
Moko Gisborne’s resident dolphin is spending considerable time in the harbour basin which is risking the safety of boat operators, the public and Moko himself. More >>
The future’s looking bright for property development at Queenstown’s Millbrook Resort after re-sales[1] hit a record high in the past year. From 1 October 2008 to 30 September 2009, the five-star resort sold $23.36million from its property portfolio, ... More >>
Queenstown tourism company Pure Adventure is taking adventure and adrenalin to a whole new level with a heart-stopping experience that’s not for the faint-hearted. More >>
A tourism professional with international experience and a strong hospitality background has joined the team at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, the largest hotel in Queenstown. More >>
‘Sustainable’ and ‘responsible’ are two commonly used terms but they are terms that have real meaning for Hawke’s Bay’s largest accommodation provider. Later this month, Kennedy Park Top 10 Resort unveils their $1.2million investment ... More >>
Christchurch South Police continue to be concerned about the whereabouts of a missing 45 year old Tasmanian (Australia) resident Michael CRAIG who was last seen at 1.15 a.m. on Friday 4 December 2009. Detective Senior Sergeant David HARVEY says "Michael ... More >>
Queenstown’s five-star Millbrook Resort is continuing to invest in its high standards of accommodation product with a dedicated refurbishment programme. More >>
In any other industry, the taxpayer/ratepayer subsidies being offered to the professional rugby industry for its World Cup event in 2011 would be being slagged off as government handouts. Surely, no other business gets its premises built and budgeted losses covered ... More >>
Emirates Network Blooms With Addition Of Amsterdam New Zealand travellers to Holland will have a stylish new way of getting there from next year following Emirates’ announcement that it is to launch flights to Amsterdam on May 1. The international ... More >>
SmartGate, an automated border control system using facial recognition, is now available at Auckland International Airport in New Zealand. This launch is the first step of the new long term partnership signed between New Zealand Customs Service and Sagem ... More >>
It’s the end of the road for the young British travellers who have been battling it out to win the coveted title of ‘The Ultimate Gap Year Traveller 2009’ in online reality travel series The Gap Year: Challenge New Zealand. The final three ... More >>
Gap Adventures, the world leader in small group adventure travel, is proud to introduce YOLO, a new trip style designed to suit the 18 to 30-something market’s appetite for energetic and unforgettable adventure. Authentic, exciting, affordable and fun, ... More >>
A forward-thinking Queenstown education institution has been recognised for its business excellence in developing a new market sector for the resort town. More >>
Visitors to Lake Tekapo will be greeted with an official 100% Kiwi welcome from tomorrow (Tuesday 1 November) when New Zealand’s newest i-SITE opens at the Lake Tekapo i-SITE Visitor Centre. More >>
Northland is expected to host a record 35,000 cruise ship passengers this season, bringing an estimated $6 million into the region. Destination Northland general manager Brian Roberts said a total of 30 cruise ship visits to the Bay of Islands are scheduled ... More >>
Flight Centre has been named the country’s top large workplace employer for the eighth consecutive year in New Zealand’s largest and most prestigious annual workplace survey, The JRA Best Workplaces Awards 2009. More >>
Nov 26. (BusinessWire) - Dorchester Finance, a unit of NZX listed financial services group Dorchester Pacific Ltd., has purchased the Emerald Hotel in Gisborne for $12.6 million. More >>
The Ministry of Tourism reiterated today that the New Zealand Cycle Trail project is a partnership arrangement between the government and regions with funding for the tracks being shared. Programme Manager, John Dunn, says the funding processes ... More >>
The discovery of a cane toad in Queenstown is an acute reminder of the fragility of our Biosecurity system, Labour’s Biosecurity spokesperson, Damien O’Connor says. More >>
Auckland, 19 November 2009 Get in quick with Expedia’s 72-hour Gold Coast and Brisbane hotel sale - starts midnight 24th November 2009 Save 50% off selected 4 and 5 star hotels when you stay 2 nights or more. As the temperature begins to soar, ... More >>
People interested in the adventure tourism industry are being asked for their views on its safety and risk management practices as part of a nationwide review, says Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson. The review was announced in September by Prime ... More >>
A revamped feature on www.nzhistory.net.nz by Ministry for Culture and Heritage historian Imelda Bargas tells the story of the Erebus disaster from the first Antarctic sightseeing flights operated by Air New Zealand, to the airline’s recent apology to families ... More >>
Only One Week Left For Cheap Snovember Season Passes -Price freeze to finish on 30 November- More >>
The DK State-by-State Atlas puts it this way: “In 1513, Juan Ponce de Leon sailed to the region during Spain’s spring holiday, Pascua Florida, the Feast of the Flowers. He came ashore and named the land La Florida in honor of the holiday.” Most people ... More >>
Fifty-nine headline events since the beginning of the year have drawn a combined audience of close to 280,000 to Auckland’s Vector Arena, with an additional 30,000 expected to pass through its doors before Christmas. More >>
Upgrade your room choice when staying at the stunning Club Med Kani in the Maldives and save a huge 40%. More >>
Geoff Ross hopes New Zealand’s public shaming for its lack of green credentials last week will help inspire the country’s leaders to embrace the green boom. More >>
The Australian market is buoying visitor numbers to New Zealand as the industry starts to see some signs of recovery. Figures released today by Statistics New Zealand show visitor arrivals growing for a second consecutive month. Arrivals were up 7.7 per ... More >>
Only 21 days after its launch, new online travel company LayAway Holidays has had more than 25,000 visitors to its website and holiday bookings and requests sitting at more than 12 times the expected demand. LayAway Holidays founder, Aaron Panapa, ... More >>
Visitor arrivals in October 2009 (187,400) were up 13,400 (8 percent) compared with October 2008, Statistics New Zealand said today. Arrivals from Australia (up 15,900 or 22 percent) were again the major contributor, with October 2009 being the seventh ... More >>
Nov. 23 (BusinessWire) – New Zealand’s annual net migration rose to a five-year high in October, driven by a drop in kiwis departing overseas, boding well for housing demand and the consumer goods to fill them. More >>
The country’s leading retailing district is supporting the Auckland Chamber of Commerce’s call today for Parliament to fix the annual Easter trading circus once and for all. Reignited calls from Auckland’s Chamber of Commerce and the Newmarket ... More >>
House of Travel outlets in Botany Junction, Nelson and Palmerston North are the only travel retailers in New Zealand to be invited to attend the world premiere of SpaceShipTwo, the space vehicle developed by Scaled Composites to take private passengers to space. More >>
T he railway official eyes us warily. Studies our passports. Eyes us again. He's the image of bureaucratic lassitude, in a sweaty once-white wifebeater. “Two dollars.” More >>
Friday 20 November 2009: Pacific Blue has added a fourth flight from Auckland to Rarotonga for the holiday season. The Thursday non-stop service departs Auckland at 6.30pm and arrives in Rarotonga at 11.25pm (previous day). The return flight leaves ... More >>
Wellington Zoo is celebrating its recent success at the National Sustainable Business Network (SBN) Awards in Auckland, where it picked up the coveted People’s Choice Award on the night. More >>
A two hour, brand new and unique adventure activity action opens next month as Ziptrek Ecotours launches its flying fox operation from Skyline on Bob’s Peak overlooking Queenstown. Ziptrek was founded in Whistler, Canada, where it is a must-do, award-winning ... More >>
If it has been a while since you went a little wild on holiday, maybe now is the time to travel someplace where letting your hair down is the order of the day. Whether your ideal holiday is letting off a bit of steam at some of the world’s best parties, ... More >>
Qantas today announced that it would commence a third year-round Queenstown-Sydney service to commence 21 February 2010. More >>
The Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the New Zealand Commerce and Industry Office (NZCIO) announcement that New Zealand will waive visas for short term visitors from Taiwan. From 30 November 2009, Taiwanese passport holders travelling ... More >>
The Hospitality Association has called for greater penalties for those using false IDs to access alcohol. This call has been included in submissions to the review of the Sale of Liquor Act, being run by Sir Geoffrey Palmer, President of the Law Commission. ... More >>
Queenstown continues to remain firmly on the map for the Australian backpacker and adventure traveller with several thousand seeking advice before visiting here. Destination Queenstown along with AJ Hackett Bungy and NZONE represented the resort at this year’s ... More >>
An excellent booking response for the “Endeavour Express” scenic train excursion from Napier to Gisborne and return on Saturday 21st November has forced the heritage train operator, Steam Incorporated, to run a second train on Sunday 22nd November. ... More >>
STA Travel is on top of the world yet again after being voted Australasia’s Leading Travel Agency at a global awards ceremony in London last weekend. More >>
Emirates is making it easier to experience private-jet style travel with special transTasman fares from Auckland from $1,196 one way for its first class suites on sale till November 30. The award-winning airline also has attractive business class ... More >>
The $55 Million Hilton Lake Taupo Opens as the First Deluxe International Hotel in Taupo and the Second Hilton in New Zealand Originally the historic Terraces Hotel, it is now completely refurbished and expanded Taupo, New Zealand and McLean, Va. ... More >>
Nov. 17 (BusinessWire) – Jasons Travel Media said first-half earnings fell 11% as the economic downturn dented advertising at its What's On guides, offsetting stronger returns from its holiday directories as more kiwis chose to take vacations at home. More >>
Queenstown’s AJ Hackett Bungy has won a coveted ‘golden backpack’ after being voted Best Tour/Activity in New Zealand. More >>
Wine and food lovers from around the country enjoyed another great day out at this year’s Toast Martinborough Wine Food and Music Festival More >>
Singapore Airlines and Tourism New Zealand have signed a marketing agreement to jointly develop and promote tourism to New Zealand on Singapore Airlines’ services. More >>
Singapore Airlines and Tourism New Zealand have signed a marketing agreement to jointly develop and promote tourism to New Zealand on Singapore Airlines’ services. The three-year deal will come into effect on 1 January 2010. Under the terms of the memorandum ... More >>
The All Black have beaten Bahrain 1-0 in Wellington, qualifying for the South Africa World Cup in 2010. Scoop photographer Karim Sahai was on the sideline for the historic clash at Wellington's Cake-Tin. More >>
Joint ventures help get the job done and often lead to a prosperous long-term relationship and that’s certainly the plan with Bike Taupo and Wairakei Resort and it’s an ideal partnership. More >>
A dream that began around whanau kitchen tables in Kaikoura more than 20-years-ago has been realised on the world stage with Whale Watch Kaikoura taking the top international tourism prize from Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards. More >>
The promise of a great game of soccer is enticing thousands to the Capital for the All Whites’ qualifier game on Saturday night. "All flights from Auckland to Wellington are sold out from midday today till 4pm tomorrow," says Air New Zealand General Manager ... More >>
A group of New Zealand websites has decided to get together and encourage discussion of the positive side to climate change mitigation. Afterall - how many of us really believe that the way the world is currently run is optimal - both for our personal ... More >>
Intrepid travellers around the globe have been snapping their way to some fantastic prizes in this year's annual photography competition. With digital camera, a keen eye and a great travel spirit, entries sought to encapsulate a time and a place. ... More >>
New Zealand’s ultimate travel planner eyeballnz.com wants your help in showcasing New Zealand to the world. Whether photography is your profession or your passion, send in your digital pics that best capture your home town or favourite spot and ... More >>
We extend a warm invitation to you, your friends and family to come down to Cuba with us. We have many holiday and spring tours at http://CubaFriends.com More >>
But my prize for the most shameless two fingers to the global community goes to New Zealand, a country that sells itself round the world as "clean and green". More >>
Whale Watch Kaikoura’s latest international award is well-deserved and will help bolster New Zealand’s reputation as a top-class tourist destination, says Labour’s Tourism spokesperson Kelvin Davis. “Whale Watch Kaikoura has been named overall ... More >>
A major review of Japanese government spending could spell the end to whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary, according to Greenpeace, after the review committee proposed massive cuts in subsidies to a body which funds the so-called scientific ... More >>
There's a wonderful column by Rosemary McLeod in the Dom-Post this morning (12 November). She skewers the grotesqueries of Rodney Hide's apparently bizarre behaviour beautifully. But even Rosemary has missed something important about this whole affair. More >>
Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, John Key says Whale Watch Kaikoura’s latest tourism achievement will have positive spin offs for all tourism operators in New Zealand. Whale Watch Kaikoura has been named overall winner of the Virgin Holidays ... More >>
Whale Watch Kaikoura has outshone some of the world’s leading tour operators to claim the Supreme award at this year’s Responsible Tourism Awards in London. The awards were held last night (NZ time), as part of World Responsible Tourism Day at the World Travel Market in London. The event, the largest of its kind in the world, attracts more than 5000 exhibitors from more than 200 countries and the awards ceremony is the centrepiece. More >>
New Zealand confirmed as one of five world heritage night sky reserve sites to go to Rio meeting next year More >>
Today sees the announcement of wine writer Michael Cooper’s Best Wine Buys of the Year, with both the red and the white picks coming in at under $20. Eradus Awatere Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009 took out the crown for the best white and ... More >>
Tourism operators looking to grow their international business are invited to apply to attend TRENZ 2010 – the New Zealand tourism industry’s annual international showcase. More >>
YHA Wellington City has won a prestigious international Responsible Tourism award at the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards, hosted at the World Travel Market in London. The hostel has won the best large hotel / accommodation section. The awards ... More >>
Positively Wellington Tourism is urging locals and visitors alike to answer the call from Wellington Phoenix supporters club, Yellow Fever, for a ‘whiteout’ at Saturday’s historic All Whites match. Rated by New Zealand sports fans as the best venue in ... More >>
The Group (Singapore Airlines its subsidiary, joint venture and associated companies) recorded a net loss attributable to equity holders of SG$159 million (NZ$146.73 million) for the second quarter of the financial year. This was an improvement of $148 million ... More >>
Tourism operators will face substantial levy increases of between 30% and more than 100% if proposed changes to ACC go ahead, putting significant strain on an industry already trading through difficult times, says Tourism Industry Association Chief ... More >>
WASHINGTON – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced today the launch of a pilot program to automate the arrival/departure form (CBP Form I-94W) for Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travelers from Auckland, New Zealand to Los Angeles International ... More >>
Nov. 11 (BusinessWire) – Rising tourist numbers underpinned gains in New Zealand accommodation last month as the number of guest nights increased for all operators. More >>
International guest nights in short-term commercial accommodation were up 8 percent in September 2009 compared with September 2008, Statistics New Zealand said today. With domestic guest nights slightly higher than in the previous September, total ... More >>
LONDON: Pacific Resort Aitutaki, Cook Islands has been voted the ‘World’s Leading Boutique Island Resort”, for the second year running at the World Travel Awards 2009 grand finals held in London on Sunday. More >>
Whale Watch Kaikoura has been named among some of the world’s leading tourism operators as a finalist in the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2009. More >>
Gay and lesbian consumers have become an increasingly sought after consumer group. Now leading lesbian and gay marketing specialists, Out Now, have announced the expansion of its operations into many key strategic markets around the world - including Australia. More >>
A new flightseeing aircraft that delivers sustainable practice innovation and increased passenger comfort is the final purchase in a six-year fleet upgrade for a one of New Zealand’s largest scenic flight airlines. More >>
Two Small Fish, Tay Street Beach Café and Mount Bistro outshone some very strong competition to take out honours in the Food Bay of Plenty ‘Plenty of Flavour’ culinary competition. The results for the inaugural event were announced last night ... More >>
Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the 23rd Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of Tourism Holdings Limited. Before we move today’s business, for those that do not know me I am Keith Smith, Chairman of Tourism Holdings. I am joined by my fellow directors, ... More >>
Labour Leader Phil Goff has welcomed work beginning on the first cycleway project but questions why Prime Minister John Key is no longer proud of how many jobs the cycle routes will create. “In February John Key trumpeted that 3700 jobs would ... More >>
Nov. 10 (BusinessWire) – Infratil Ltd., the investment group in talks to buy Royal Dutch/Shell Group’s New Zealand assets, reaped $87.25 million selling its 3.87% stake in Auckland International Airport, saying it has better uses for the capital. More >>
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