Online booking surge supports NZ regions - Wotif

Online booking surge supports New Zealand regions

Wotif.com reveals the biggest improvers for the first quarter of 2008

AUCKLAND – 27 May 2008: New Zealand bookings, through leading accommodation website Wotif.com, surged during the first quarter of 2008 supported by domestic travel bookers.

Wotif.com revealed that New Zealand bookings for regions including Mount Cook/Aoraki, the Bay of Plenty, Motueka and Gore saw exceptional growth on the same period in 2007 bringing a welcome number of tourists to these regions.

New Zealand Manager, Tania Witheford said: “Wotif.com works closely with our accommodation partners to help them get the most out of their listing, as well as working with tourism offices to market regions through our online and offline channels.

"These marketing efforts have attracted great support from New Zealand travellers. More than 70% of New Zealander's who used Wotif.com in 2007 booked accommodation within New Zealand,” she added*.

Top growth regions booked by New Zealanders for first quarter 2008**:

1. Aoraki/Mount Cook
2. Bay of Plenty
3. Motueka
4. Gore
5. Oamaru
6. Punakaiki
7. Kerikeri
8. Manawatu
9. Whakatane
10. Cardrona

“The growth for these regions is calculated from a smaller base than our top New Zealand destinations like Auckland and Christchurch, but it’s a good sign that accommodation partners in these regions are becoming savvy at using the internet to grow sales by increasing their visibility online via Wotif.com, a recognized and trusted brand.

“Wotif.com, attracts a global audience of users, with over 3.2million visitors visiting our site each month,” said Witheford.

As per Euromonitor International's 2006 statistics only 8.4% of total accommodation booked in New Zealand during 2006 was booked online and this is projected to rise to 13.5% by 2011.

Such growth correlates with Wotif.com’s figures for the first quarter of 2008, which saw domestic bookings for the South Island up 38% and the North Island up 29% from the same period last year.

Despite strong overall domestic tourism, a recent poll conducted by Wotif.com revealed that of the New Zealanders who have already planned a winter holiday, 72% will travel internationally, with most visiting the tropics, Europe and Asia***.

However, Tania believes that New Zealanders will still travel domestically this winter, even if they have not yet planned a holiday, providing opportunity for Wotif.com’s New Zealand accommodation partners to capitalise on these New Zealanders wanting to take a break and stay closer to home.

“By using Wotif.com, our accommodation partners who look like they are going to have a slow winter can attract New Zealanders wanting a break, by offering great deals and providing value added inclusions such as breakfast, wine or even fuel vouchers.

”And for travellers, this means winter is the perfect time to pick up some great deals around New Zealand,” she added.

If you haven’t planned a break over winter yet, and are looking to discover somewhere new in New Zealand, try one (or many) of Tania’s top winter breaks ideas, including:

Tangiaro Valley, Coromandel - Located below the summit of Mount Moehauon New Zealand's remote bush clad Coromandel Peninsula the spectacularly beautiful Tangiaro Valley.

Tangiaro Kiwi Retreat (4 star)
Luxury bush lodges are $225 a night (full rate is $275 a night) including accommodation for two in a fully self-catering apartment with log fire. www.wotif.com/hotelW39849

Great Barrier Island - Escape the cold at the sub-tropical Great Barrier Island. Only 90 km from Auckland via a 30 minutes flight or a ferry trip from downtown Auckland. Beautiful Medlands Beach is renowned for its unique surfing beach breaks, swimming, diving and fishing. Experience the magnificent mountain wilderness walks, hot thermal springs.

Medlands Beach Backpackers and Lodges
Jacks for three nights plus deals are $90 a night (full rate is $200 a night) including accommodation for 4 in a fully self-contained apartment with private balcony. Minimum 3 nights stay www.wotif.com/hotelW54198

Northland, Kaeo -The valley of Kaeo, is the social heart of Whangaroa. Located close to the world's most beautiful harbour, Kaeo offers something different for travellers who have "been there done that" in New Zealand.

Totara Country Lodge- Cottages are $120 a night (full rate is $250 a night) including accommodation in a gorgeous 100 year old cottage with polished kauri floors. Minimum 2 nights stay www.wotif.com/hotelW45779

South Island - Lake Tekapo - Lake Tekapo's geographical and central location is protected from rough coastal weather by the Southern Alps and the Two Thumb Range allowing it some of New Zealand's highest sunshine hours and lowest average wind speeds. And with the newly completed Alpine Springs and Spa a day soaking in the hot pools is the perfect escape from the winter cold.

Three Rivers Lodge- Macaulay River apartments are $150 a night (full rate is 250 a night) including accommodation for two in a self contained apartment with lake and alpine views. www.wotifcom/hotelW52009

Arrowtown - For those who have done Queenstown a few times already why not enjoy the snow-capped mountains and blue skies from Arrowtown. Located in the Southern Lakes Ski areas the town features seven international standard snow areas and a ski culture to match. Stable weather also makes winter a wonderful time to take in the rainforests and sounds of Fiordland and the vast vistas of Central Otago.

Golden View Motel- One bedroom apartments are $120 a night (full rate is $145 a night) including accommodation for two in an apartment with mountain views. www.wotif.com/hotelW20166

Akaroa - Just 75 kilometres from Christchurch, Akaroa is an historic French and British settlement nestled in the heart of an ancient volcano. The village with its colonial architecture has many craft stores, and cafés. Visit French Bay, or find a secluded beach of your own in one of the neighbouring bays. Summer is the busiest time so for a secluded getaway winter is a good time to travel.

Akora Cottages (4 star) - Bushview cottages are $129 a night (full rate is $210 a night) accommodation in a cottage with log fire and spa bath, 10% discount at the restaurant and 10% off dolphin cruise. www.wotif.com/hotelW30692

North Auckland, Matakana Coast - Just north of Auckland with heaps to do in winter including events at the many wineries, fine dining and taking in the scenery. Although there is so much to do outside, winter in the wine country is perfect for getting cosy by a fire.

Saltings Estate Matakana (4+ star) - Merlot suites are $250 a night (full rate is $295 a night) including accommodation for two in a cosy apartment by the vineyard and breakfast provisions on the first day. www.wotif.com/hotelW41815

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Notes to Editor
* Calculated from the total number of bookings taken through Wotif.com during 2007 by .co.nz addresses

** Calculations are for (1 January – 31 March 2007 and 2008) and from bookings made with .co.nz addresses.

***Wotif.com poll was conducted via email and had 1022 respondents.

About Wotif.com

Wotif.com sells accommodation online in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific, Europe and America.

Our discounted rates, broad accommodation range, value-added inclusions and 24/7 Customer Service Centre have made us a popular accommodation site for business and leisure travellers in Asia. With secure online credit card payment and instant confirmation, booking hotels, motels, serviced apartments, resorts, guesthouses and bed & breakfasts is fast and easy.

Our Asian offices are in Singapore and Malaysia and we have staff based in Bangkok, Beijing, Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh City and Jakarta. Our head office is in Brisbane, Australia, where we launched in March 2000. We also have offices in Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom to support our growing international presence. We are a public company, which listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) in June 2006.

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